The Chieftains - 50th Anniversary

The Chieftans 50^th Anniversary

Paddington Station does something for me. Whether I’m arriving or leaving through this station, I want to smile.

Two events made this a special occasion for my latest visit to London, apart from the opportunity to see my younger daughter who is expecting her first child – and it is so delightful to see how happy she and her husband are with their vision of the future together with their little family.

This time, however, was devoted to ‘landscaping’ my elder daughter’s terrace and a concert on the Friday evening at the Royal Albert Hall – The Chieftains 50^th Anniversary.

Well, for a starter, my daughter and I had been in consultation for some time about plants suitable for her terrace. She has bought an apartment on the fifth floor of a modern block overlooking – on one side, the River Thames and on another, a wildlife ecology park. It sounds perfect and it is truly an amazing situation. However, landscaping her vast terrace is not so perfect. It faces, more-or-less, east to west with the very damaging prevailing winds coming from the east. High walls give some protection but, also create a wind tunnel. It has been an interesting experience trying to figure out which plants will provide – a windbreak; a suitable wildlife friendly environment; colour; fragrance; ability to grow in containers and ability to cope with drought – as my daughter works long hours she knows she will not be able to spend hours watering decorative little pots!

Although we considered and bought some plants which had not been on our original list and reconsidered suitable containers against what was available at our chosen vast garden centre, we still had to make two trips to the centre and back to her apartment. As I commented to her later – if we had stopped to consider the logistics of this, we wouldn’t have begun. After an early morning start, by early afternoon we were ready to start potting-up and landscaping. However, a storm with very high winds – storm force in gusts and occasional heavy rain made this a difficult and enlightening experience on this very exposed site. The plants were being blown out of the pots as we were attempting to plant them. Although we had planned for the damaging, prevailing east wind, this storm was coming from the south-west, as the tail-end of a hurricane which was trailing across the south of England. I worried for my home and allotment in Bristol, facing the worst of the storm, especially my poly-tunnel. Even, as we were planting strong, mature, wind hardy plants, we were having to put robust, protective measures in place for them and any equipment, wood, small plants, etc, were rolling around the terrace or disappearing over the parapets. It was useful to try to complete this exercise in these unusually challenging conditions. This was probably the worst we could expect.

We did as much as we could though, it was already apparent that stronger, larger, more mature plants would be needed to give this terrace that well cultivated look but, of course, severe storms will not allow these plants to become established.

We bathed, changed and titivated ourselves for our evening out. Our venue was The Royal Albert Hall. Not easy to access by public transport if you are not a good walker and with few places to eat in that area. We had tried to book into the Cloudy Bay Wine Bar in the Albert Hall for a snack but we were much too late. When we got there, this was not surprising as, it was apparent that all food and drink outlets are very limited. This is an important consideration when planning to attend an event. It has to be said that another important consideration is the very poor provision of toilets for women. This is a Victorian building and although, amazing, vast and truly magical, the toilet facilities for women are, to say the least, abysmal and stressful because of the long and corridor blocking queues. The nasty and offensive mutterings from many of the male patrons who shuffled passed the queue were not pleasant. Of course, this building was designed by men!

But, we were here to attend, take part in, experience the 50^thanniversary of the Chieftains. It is almost unimaginable that this band/group/ musical icon, which is revered and supported around the world should have started 50 years ago by Paddy Moloney.

Of the original line-up of The Chieftains, I think, only Paddy Moloney endures although, I do recognise and am delighted by the presence of Matt Molloy and Seàn Keane, both outstanding musicians and from the early days of this musical phenomenon.

It was odd that, although the tickets stated – ‘no support’ – the first part of the programme featured a group of mainly female musicians in the ‘Irish/celtic’ tradition. They were good and deserve a stronger billing. But, they were not The Chieftains. They revealed that their name was ‘No Support’ but, I have not been able to find information for them through Google.

The main programme, when it started, was an amazing combination of the Chieftains music over their many years, along with the folk musical and dance traditions of most continents throughout the world, many of which have been recognised and incorporated into the musical development and tradition of the Chieftains and their albums.

During the concert, representatives from many countries and contributed as guests and it was interesting to see the different takes on aspects of ‘The Irish’ tradition. The North American and Canadian ‘genius’ on Irish dancing seems to be more visceral or spontaneous. While traditional Irish dancing does not involve the arms much, from the North American Continent, this dancing has acquired a new and joyous expression but, I do still love the traditional styles.

I had not expected that one of the latest Chieftains' albums, ‘San Patricio’ would have been represented but, it was – with support from a delightful and handsome pipe band. I do believe this album is one of my favourites.

The enthusiastic participation of the audience and the apparent expectation that they would anticipate contributed to my delight in this concert. My daughter and I agreed that it was probably one of the best concerts we had ever attended.

They have a continuing programme of concerts around the world to celebrate their 50^th anniversary. If you can, do book to see one of these concerts. Failing that, do buy the CD of the concert – I will, definitely.

I was so relieved, on my return to Bristol and my plot, to see that my poly-tunnel was undamaged – some damage to a few crops – asparagus, sweet-corn, peas and some fruit bushes but, nothing serious. We now have to deal with, at least, another week of wet and very windy weather but, some people are having to drag their lives back from devastating floods – professional growers and householders. My heart goes out to them.