Dónal Clancy’s “On the Lonesome Plain” contains a mix of vocal and instrumental tracks.
By Daniel Neely
Earlier in the week I knocked over a stack of CDs and the resulting mess uncovered a disc that I had meant to listen to but which had gone hiding – singer and guitarist Dónal Clancy’s “On the Lonesome Plain.” Released late last year, “On the Lonesome Plain” has been playing on the hifi for the last few days and it’s proven itself a moody cracker of an album from one of today’s leading musicians.
Many readers will know Dónal as Liam Clancy’s son (of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem). Many still will know Clancy as one of the founding members of the group Danú, a group he ultimately left so he could join up and tour as a trio with his father and Robbie O’Connell. Since then he’s been an in-demand player, touring and/or recorded with the likes of Eileen Ivers, Mike Rafferty, the Chieftains, and Solas, in which he was a member.
In putting this album together, Clancy reveals in the liner notes that he was influenced by Anne Briggs, Martin Carthy, Shirley Collins, and Davey Graham because he happened to have their records handy after he’d bought a turntable. Songs by this group were what eventually came out when Clancy sat down not with the idea of recording an album, but with a head for getting to better know how a group of guitars and microphones in his possession sounded.
The album contains 13 tracks, seven vocal and six instrumental. If only as a vocal album, there are some terrific songs to speak of here. “Drill, Ye Tarriers,” for example, puts a spotlight on the clarity of Clancy’s voice and smart approach. “Reynardine” is another lovely track that does the same.
Ciarán Somers (flute, vocals) and David Power (whistle, vocals) appear on “Open the Door Softly.” They are the album’s only guests and the result of their contribution is a beautiful and delicate but very full feeling track that is one of the album’s loveliest. The instrumental accompaniment complements the vocal harmonies perfectly, and all of it comes together to create a very heady atmosphere.
The album’s standout vocal track, I think, is “Strike for Victory,” a Clancy original that is based on the 1916 Proclamation and was written, as explained in the liner notes, “to commemorate the Easter Rising.” Clancy’s writing here is exceptional. As a piece of verse his lyrical approach is very, very good and overall it shares some of the more timeless qualities that I think great songs do. Its carefully wrought sentiment can apply to a range of political struggles and situations, so although it’s a song about the Rising, I find it’s able to speak to a range of political struggles with an even hand. With Clancy’s fairly modern feeling setting as its vessel, the song finds great life here and yields a satisfying, thought provoking track.
All of the instrumental tracks feature very, very tasty playing. “The Green Fields of Canada / Máirseáil na Conrach” flashes some very handy guitar work and includes some additional textural guitar overlay that complements Clancy’s finger-style base. It’s lovely overall. (The second tune in the set, incidentally, is a stirring Clancy composition.) “Fling” is also a nice instrumental track that recommends Clancy’s guitar work well. However, it’s the pair of Carolan tunes, “The Honorable Thomas Burke” and “Miss McDermott’s,” that stand out to me. Both are stunning, majestic tracks that not only express the beauties of Carolan’s work – or the melodic possibilities inherent in his work, as is the case in the latter track – but that also reveal the taste and beauty of Clancy’s approach to tunes like this. They’re just sublime tracks and add to the album’s overall effect immeasurably.
Clancy is an extremely tasteful guitarist whose rhythmic feel and harmonic choices are immensely satisfying, but it’s his voice that really captivates. He sings with a clear, powerful voice and picture perfect phrasing, and his selection of songs here is well curated. Don’t let this album hide from you. If you love songs, rush out and pick this one up, it’s great! Visit donalclancy.com for more information.
