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An Endearing Young Charm

Her Latest Live Project Is A Coming Of Age For Riverdance Starlet Zoë Conway. Eddie Creaney Takes A Closer Look.

It’s a setting like no other. The beautiful hilltop location of the Holy Trinity Heritage Centre is set in prominence overlooking medieval Carlingford in County Louth. And tonight the former blessed site is host to a musical spectacular befitting the Viking kings of old that once brushed its walls and peripheries. In the welcome summer air of an Irish June evening, another County Louth attraction is preparing to unleash her amazing talent on the expectant gathering of family, friends and fans. And once the chardonnay has been served and the lights have been dimmed the star attraction is welcomed on stage by a delighted audience. Zoë Conway, Riverdances’ fiddle-playing extraordinaire, emerges to rousing applause.

Her endearing smile does little to hide her anticipation and excitement of the occasion. And it’s evident too that the Dundalk lass is comfortable in these surroundings. Well, why shouldn’t she be? Both musically and geographically, this is her turf. And having tasted success in 2002 with her self-titled debut album she’s now preparing for her second outing, a live DVD featuring songs and tunes both self-penned and borrowed.

Tonight, in the splendour of the restored Norman church, she’s filling the aisles with a repertoire of music and movement that’s sure to please both the eye and ear of any traditional music aficionado. And what’s to be expected once the DVD hits the shelves? Well, for a start how about the contribution of two of Irelands best musicians for accompaniment in the shape of John McIntyre on guitar and Robbie Harris on Bodhrán. It proved to be the perfect pairing on the night as they skilfully crafted a musical mould giving Zoë the freedom to make her mark. And boy did she make the most of it. The first set of tunes, Shetlands Fiddle and Round The House, Mind The Dresser was a gentle introduction that caressed the audience into relaxed mode with Miss Conway making it look very easy.

She continued with a variety of impeccably engaging sets without ever looking uncomfortable under the prying lenses of the cameras and the army of microphones that surrounded the stage. Fair play indeed. Anyone who’s ever recorded live will know it’s not an easy task to relax and enjoy the proceedings when there’s a congregation of technicians recording every heartbeat and eye movement. But the award-winning artist handled the showcase with class, style and a modesty that will surely win many hearts in the years to come. And it didn’t seem a crack before we hit the interlude. The first set had finished and the punters were delighted that they had already got their moneys worth in both tune and song. The mean fiddler had also graced us with her angelic tones through a few well chosen airs worthy of evoking tears from the least sentimental of men.

On return to our seats we were treated to some fine tunes such as the self-penned White Deer, a splendid piece that was, as Zoe informed us, inspired by two Mexicans, an injured hand and a countryside ramble. Sorry folks, you’ll have to wait for the DVD for an explanation on that one! And on it went, set after set of pure genius from the three figures that cut the stage. The All-Ireland medal winner, as if to remind us that she is in fact mistress of many styles, launched into a hypnotic adaptation of the classical piece Dance Espanyol. With McIntyres driving flamenco chords setting the backdrop Zoë attacked her instrument with lightning strikes. It was, without any form of doubt, a masterclass in musicianship. Every note, precise. Every stroke, with absolute conviction. Bravo.

And so as not to be outdone percussion master Robbie Harris followed on the heels with a Bodhrán solo which is best described as frightening. While he enthusiastically beat the skin you could hear every goat in Carlingford applying for a passport. With the audience in awe, and the sun fading through the giant stained-glass window backdrop, the evening was coming to a close. But not before the cheers of “Encore” enticed the star attraction back to the stage. The enticing Wild Strawberry Hill and uplifting exodus The Horses Tail, both her own compositions, proved to be the sugar on the icing on the cake.

We had come expectant, and we left bedazzled. And I’m sure that in years to come, when Zoë is counting her discography on more than two hands, she’ll always remember the night in the hilltop location where she broke her performance mould. The live DVD, as yet untitled, is sure to be a seller when it appears on the shelves in October. And is she busy between now and then? I’ll say. Riverdance in Dublin, Workshops in Cambridge and live dates in Germany. Oh, and by the way, there’s the small matter of attending a wedding in September. Hers of course. I wonder who’ll be playing second fiddle then?

Eddie Creaney
eddiecreaney@hotmail.com