Grada fight for a place in the Big Book of Bad Family Photos

Gráda are a great band and probably one of the best Traditional Irish bands in the World at the moment.

Formed in 2001, with a mix of Irish and New Zealand Musicians playing Irish Traditional music, they are also influenced by Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass and much more, which adds layers of depth to their sound.

Although the band have gone through a couple of changes in the line-up, currently Grada is made up of Andrew Laking from New Zealand on double bass, Nicola Joyce from Galway on vocals and bodhrán. Gerry Paul also from New Zealand who plays guitar, David Doocey from Mayo who plays fiddle and concertina and finally Stephen Doherty also from Mayo on whistles.

At the end of May, Grada played the Button Factory, proving that they are phenomenal live act. On the night, they had Danish guest Rasmus Skovmand on percussion. They are also a fantastic recording act, their previous releases include Off to Sardinia, Endeavour, The Landing Step and Cloudy Day Navigation. Their latest album Natural Angle was produced by Tim O’Brien in Nashville.

The record opens with Abe’s Axe, which is made up of the Temple House Reel and Moy Cottage Reel and has a fast tempo and a delicately simple melody. The song John Riley is about John Riley and the San Patricios brigade in the Mexican American war and written by Tim O’Brien. No Linen No Lace is nice slow Gráda song. The Hutt Heels, which are made up of the Butterfly and Farewell to Sandy, are beautifully slow-burning.

The Butcher Boy is a song about a Butcher boy in London, and pulls no punches. Five Jumps is made up of Fem Spring, New Plymouth Reel & Edenderry Reel and starts off with a simple slow melody on whistles and builds into an up-tempo tune. The song Panama sees a welcome change on the record with Andy singing. The group have also done a version in German, which available on their website and well worth a listen.
 

Pretty Polly is a lively song about a marriage. Dotsy’s are lively tunes with great whistles with Brendan Sheehan’s, The Apsley cottage, Erick’s Favourite and Levenshulme Leap. The song Louis Collins is about the death of Louis Collins, and is actually a Mississippi John Hurt song. Bottom of the Hill is a country and western song, which has Gerry on vocals for the first time with his unmistakably New Zealand drawl. The final tune Salthill Bugalú is a slow song that would be similar to something Sharon Shannon would do.

Overall it’s a great album and definitely a band to check out live. Keep an eye on their website www.gradamusic.com for the next time they are playing and check out their new album.

Cobrua