This writer has long been bemoaning the lack of attention meted out to the best Americana-styled outfits from this side of the Atlantic. The UK has long been getting in on the act, with pioneering performers such as Mike Badger (The Onset/ The La’s), Michael Weston King (The Good Sons), Redlands Palomino Company and The Snakes all proving that Merseyside, Manchester and Muswell Hill are more than capable of taking on the might of Nashville, Memphis and Austin.
Here in Ireland, things have been looking more than healthy of late as well. In recent times, this writer has heard great things from Roots-based groups like Bray Vista (Co. Wicklow) and Monaghan’s Ben Reel Band. Currently showing the most promise, though, are DAVID HOPE & THE HENCHMEN. Having recently swelled to a quintet with the arrival of drummer Kevin Jones, this Clare/ Cork/ Galway (and now Kilkenny) alliance exude serious star quality and are not to be missed when they pass through a discerning venue near you.
There’s a lot of pedigree in these ranks. Imposing frontman David Hope released an acclaimed solo album ‘A Picture’ in 2007(produced by The Pogues’ Terry Woods) and a seven-track EP ‘Daybreak Someplace’ (2009), while co-vocalist/ multi-instrumentalist Eoin Jordan also features in renowned Trad/ Roots combo The Ceili Allstars and pedal steel meister David Murphy has played with highly-regarded Canadian singer/ songwriter Farrell Spence among others. Rhythm section Donal Heavey (bass) and Kevin Jones (drums), meanwhile, may only recently have begun playing together on the same team, but they have already forged an enviably intuitive partnership.
They have a Declan Sinnott-produced three-track single ready to go before year’s end and treat us to all three tunes tonight. There’s the smouldering two-step ‘Cloak & Dagger’, which has a defiant lyrical bent (“I will take the slings and arrows raining down on me”) but is also very catchy and immediate, while both ‘Cut Me Down’ and the EP’S main track ‘Hell or High Water’ are kept in reserve to round off the set. ‘Cut Me Down’ is a plaintive, melancholy affair, while ‘Hell or High Water’ is poised confidently at the Roots/ Pop crossroads and would sound very much at home on the radio.
All three are highly memorable, but there’s a whole lot more where they come from as tonight’s 90 minute set (in two parts) proves. A few well-chosen covers - including a beautifully languid version of Dylan’s ‘I Shall Be Released’, a lovely swingin’ Delta-fied take of Robert Johnson’s ‘Love In Vain’ with ghostly harmonica from Murphy and a punchy, full-band flesh out of Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’ highlight ‘Atlantic City’ – are interspersed with the originals and all are treated with love and invention. Yet it’s to the band’s credit that they never threaten to dwarf the self-penned tunes.
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There again, The Henchmen really do have all Roots-related bases covered. They can do everything from fatalistic outlaw narratives (‘Living By the Gun’) to swaggering Delta Blues (the brilliant ‘On That Train’) though to the railroad rhythms of the eerie ‘See The Ghost’ and feel-good Country rockers like ‘Random Scandinavians’. The instrumentation and dexterity is a delight throughout, with bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica and even bowed double bass used to great effect depending on what individual textures are required.
They’re never afraid to take chances neither. Their diverse melting pot also finds room for foot-stompin’ Celtic-influenced hoe-downs like ‘Broomfield Bound’ and the jazzy cut and thrust of ‘Strange Night’ where David Murphy takes the lead vocal. The emotive ‘Watch Over Me’, meanwhile, is a straighter, anthemic pop number with a stunning vocal from David Hope.
Crucially, though, whatever David Hope & The Henchmen play, it adds up to music of quality and distinction with a universal appeal. When he sings “I know we will endure” at one stage during ‘Watch Over Me’, Hope isn’t kidding. We’re going to be hearing a lot more from these guys.
David Hope & The Henchmen on Myspace
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