THE TÁIN

This is probably the more well-known musical version of the Táin Bó Cúailnge story, but only if you are among those who have heard of Horslips and remember their brief run of popularity in the seventies.

The band would become much more mainstream after this, and by the time they disbanded they actually managed some FM radio airplay with tunes like “The Man Who Built America” and “Rescue Me”, which was probably their most well-known song outside of Western Europe.

This collection of songs does a pretty good job of delivering an abridged version of the basic story of the Táin, and even manages to include some glimpses of side themes such as the messenger’s view of the main battle in “Faster than the Hound”, and the sort of landscape view in “Maeve's Court”.

While the album kicks off with some tasty and almost psychedelic guitar licks and rock beat on the instrumental “Setanta”, the album very quickly morphs into very traditional-sounding Irish folk, heavy with fiddle, flute and mandolin. By the time “Charolias” rolls around the heavy brogue in the harmonizing vocals, slightly martial drums, and intense but simple guitar accenting the flute, this is starting to sound an awful lot like the first few Jethro Tull albums. That said, “You Can’t Fool the Beast” could easily be mistaken for a Tull b-side to someone with only a passing Tull familiarity. But the difference here is that this is a group effort, not a showcase for the main minstrel like Tull tended to be. Jim Lockhart’s organ work also gives this a more folk-tale feel, while the cowbell and other percussion keep it sounding earthy and unpolished (which in this case is a good thing).

Several of the later tracks are full-on Celtic folk, including “Cu Chulainn's Lament”, “Faster than The Hound”, and “The Silver Spear” with its decidedly Irish fiddle jig and upbeat tempo. The track that probably could have made for a decent single is “More Than You Can Chew” with its female backing vocals, straightforward guitar, and danceable tempo.

The album winds to a close with another jig (“Time to Kill”) and the anticlimactic finish to the tale. This is a lament, but you wouldn’t know it by the rollicking beat and lively beat. A great finish to a great album.

This is a more detailed view of the Táin than other works would manage, and it’s definitely a more authentic telling considering the heavy Irish folk credentials of the musicians. Not the best thing Horslips ever did (their next album probably gets that honor), but a faithful retelling of a prominent folk tale done with style, skill, and reverence. Easily a four start effort.

peace