THE BOOK OF INVASIONS - A CELTIC SYMPHONY

Horslips was an Irish progressive folk rock band founded in Dublin in 1970 as a quintet playing a brand of folk based rock music whose only parallel could be found in the early works of the British folk rock band Fairport Convention. But, where Fairport Convention freely mixed the British and the American folk rock traditions, Horslips drew on their distinctly Irish roots, and were capable of playing their straight folk material when the moment was called for it, but they never were afraid to turn it up loud and hard, in the most best art rock style. Horslips arranged and performed songs frequently inspired by the traditional Irish airs jigs and reels. Horslips is regarded as the "founding fathers of the Celtic rock" for their fusion of the traditional Irish music with rock and went on to inspire many local and international acts.

Formed in 1970 and retired in 1980 for an extended period, they returned in with a new album "Roll Back" in 2004. At one point in the mid of the 70's, it seemed that Horslips could have been the Ireland's answer to Jethro Tull, but it never happened, really. But, Horslips released half-a-dozen of superb albums along the way, especially "The Tain" and "The Book Of Invasions ? A Celtic Symphony". They become Ireland's most acclaimed folk-rock progressive band. Although Horslips had limited commercial success when the band was playing in the 70's, there was a revival of interest in their music in the late 90's. Horslips became to be regarded as one of the defining bands of the Celtic rock genre, indeed.

"The Book Of Invasions ? A Celtic Symphpony" is the sixth studio album of Horslips. The line up on the band is Charles O'Connor (vocals, fiddle, mandolin and concertina), John Fean (vocals and guitar), Jim Lockhart (keyboards, flute and whistle), Barry Devlin (vocals and bass) and Eamon Carr (drums and percussion).

So, Horslips had released five studio albums before "The Book of Invasions - A Celtic Symphony" was released in 1976. Returning to their original formula of rock & roll, folk, and prog rock, "The Book Of Invasions - A Celtic Symphpony" rivals with their second studio album "The Tain" released in 1973, as their most consistent and creative work, and established the band as that decade's preeminent purveyor of those three entwined genres. This is an album loosely based on the "Book Of Invasions", which is a 12th century compilation of legends regarding the settling of Ireland where the Fomorians then the Tuatha de Dannan and finally the Sons of Mil or Milesians or Gaels won the Irish island.

Before "The Book of Invasions - A Celtic Symphony" the band had experimented with various permutations of rock, Irish folk and Celtic mythology on their previous albums, but it was on "The Book Of Invasions ? A Celtic Symphony" that everything gelled with the long cherished idea of creating a classical symphony from these components, a true concept album about "Invasions". It's split into three movements and it has a leitmotif which crops up throughout the album in various guises. In the old Ireland there were three principal categories of songs, called Geantrai, Goltrai, and Suantrai (the joyous strain, the lamenting strain, and the sleep strain). The same happens with this album. It consists of no less than fourteen songs divided into three lengthy movements. The first one, "Geantrai", runs for over twenty minutes. The songs in this movement are tied together by an old traditional tune that appears several times between the tracks. The songs in this piece were some of the strongest the band ever had, "Trouble With A Capital 'T'", "The Power And The Glory" and the stunning "Sword Of Light" that must be one of the best fusions of rock and traditional Irish folk music ever recorded. The second movement "Goltrai" opens with the light weighted but catchy "Warm Sweet Breath Of Love" that goes into the instrumental theme "Fantasia - My Lagan Love". The best song in "Goltrai" is still the excellent "King Of Morning, Queen Of Day" that is another excellent example of the band's talent for turning a traditional jig into their own compositions. The third and final movement, "Suantrai" starts with the pleasant "Sideways To The Sun" that is based on an old traditional Irish ballad. "Drive The Cold Winter Away" is an instrumental interlude that leads into the far and a bit more aggressive "Ride To Hell" that closes this amazing album of Horslips in the best way possible, really.

Conclusion: This album was the chart highpoint for Horslips in the UK and although they were popular in the USA, the band split in 1980. I'm not saying "The Book Of Invasions - A Celtic Symphony" is a perfect album, but it does have its perfect moments. So, especially and at a time when everything can be found online, it would be a shame that you miss this great album. The scope of the album is quite breathtaking. The Irish mythology rubs up against folk melodies, rock arrangements, symphonic themes and a huge range of instruments and bags of style to create a genuine classic album. There are some catchy riffs and melodies and some good hard rock in too and bits and pieces of tradition tunes. Like many bands from this era, Horslips reformed for selected gigs in the 90's, but they can still be seen live occasionally. If you're into rock or folk or both and you haven't heard this before, you really should give it a listen. It's recommended.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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