Okay, so when I was 10 years old I started fiddle lessons in school. Did them for a couple of years, got into the Lothian and Borders Strathspey and Reel Society and played one gig with them before I decided to chuck the lot cos it was too much like homework.
But in the meantime, I did get my first experience of being squashed in the back of a van with a bunch of other musos. In this case, it was Kevin O'Reilly's mum jamming four schoolboys with fiddles into the back of her Mini van, but somewhere inside me, it struck a chord. I swear I heard a voice....
"You better get used to this son..."
Sounds Like
The Spider's Legs
When The Boat Comes In
The Hexhamshire Lass
'Robin James Hurt's self-released debut
solo album “The Tallyman’s Lament”
offers some unique interpretation
of nice Scots, Irish and English
folksong, as well as a couple of
compositions of his own. The singer
and professional guitarist was born
in Belfast, raised in Scotland and
lives in Dublin nowadays. This
background explains his music style
and his great interest in folksongs
from those parts of the world. This
album fits perfectly to a night out
in a traditional pub while drinking
Guinness and singing along. Hurt’s
version of “School Days Over”
originally by Ewan McColl, is a
brilliant interpretation of this old
folksong. But more worth mentioning
is the music which is composed by
Robin James Hurt himself.
“Come Away Home” has a beautiful
balance between the 12-string,
the vocal, and the harmonium. The
ballad “The Bonny Light Horseman”
is of uncertain age and origin but
originally traced back to the 1600s,
but Hurt’s version of the lyric is more
up to date and he sings them in such
an honest way that it brings tears to
your eyes. The ballads on this record
are the real gems; in particular
the last two songs “The Band Of
Shearers” and ”Bogey’s Bonnie
Belle/Maggie Smith” are romantic,
touching and wonderful.
“The
Tallyman’s Lament” is worth listening
even if you are not into traditional
folksongs.'
LIMERICK EVENT GUIDE Issue 04 Jan 2009
'"Schooldays Over" is an almost ubiquitous part of the folk repertoire and what you do with it as a performer - if you move away from the Dubliners version at all - becomes almost a statement of intent. What you get here is a muscular, angular, almost grating rendition that sits very well with the song's theme of getting a sharp introduction to the un-cossetted world of the workplace, the thankless nature of adulthood. It's a songwhose time is very likely coming round again...Hurt's so good!'
Greg McAteer, HOT PRESS music magazine, Ireland, Nov 08
‘The songs are lively with evocative lyrics and storytelling. The last track, "The Spider's Legs", is a wonderful instrumental composition that features impressively intricate guitar and fiddle work.’
NPR “Open Mic” review for “The Spider’s Leg’s” EP, USA, Oct 2007
‘Hurt reinterprets Scots and Irish music in a unique way - he plays as though he has 12 fingers on each hand and makes the strings sound as though they're made of clear crystal water and pure flames.’
Rena Maguire, presenter and producer, “NEW CELTIC SOUNDS”, FEILE FM, Belfast, Oct 2008
Born in Belfast, raised in Scotland and living in Dublin for many moons now, Robin James Hurt plays guitar like a ‘demon gadgie’ (Edinburgh slang). He also sings like a wee bird, and composes and arranges fine folky music.
In 2006, having spent 13 years as a professional guitarist working with all manner of bands, artists and projects - both famous and not-so-famous - Robin James Hurt decided to find his own voice and start performing solo, quickly drawing considerable interest in Ireland and abroad.
Following on from the highly successful 2007 release of “The Spider’s Legs” EP, Robin James Hurt is now proud to present his debut solo album, “The Tallyman’s Lament”. It’s a fine showcase for Robin’s unique re-interpretation of the lesser-spotted corners of Scots, Irish and English folksong, as well as his talent for composing beautiful original music.
Long fascinated by the history of the stories told in song from these islands, Robin collects these ballads and re-works their melodies and structures to make modern diffusions of the originals...traditional songs for the now. (thanks Rena!)
The powerful opening stomp of “Farewell To Tarwathie” is a fresh, kicking re-write of a Northeast Scots seafarers’ waltz. With Robin’s raucous vocal trading centre-stage with the fleet-footed fiddle of Adrian Hart (on loan from the popular combo Prison Love), it kicks off the album in fine style.
The gorgeous ballad “Come Away Home”, with lyrics from a traditional Scots ballad rewritten and set to Robin’s own music, is another obvious highlight, already an emotional live favourite with his burgeoning fan base (this track has been completely re-recorded for The Tallyman's Lament, bolder and better, after its appearance on The Spider's Legs EP excited so much interest...)
From the intricate picking of the self-penned title track to the dynamic breadth of “The Blackleg Miner”, where hell-bound driving rhythm guitar dives straight into the nimble picking of an Irish fiddle reel and back again without skipping a heartbeat, the album is also a wonderful introduction to Robin’s guitar playing talent.
“The Tallyman’s Lament” is a musically rich and highly listenable album, with a truly unique take on the traditional music of Ireland and Britain as well as great original tunes.
TO PURCHASE "THE TALLYMAN'S LAMENT" BY MAIL ORDER...
Just send a cheque or postal order which is valid in the Republic of Ireland and we'll send you a copy by return post...
Address to send to is 11 Airfield Court, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Pricing:
ROI : €12 Northern Ireland : £12
Great Britain : £12 Eurozone : €14 USA : $15
Other countries : send me a message here and we'll strike a deal :)
Robin James Hurt can perpetually be found performing live in Ireland and elsewhere around the world. Keep in touch here at myspace for up-to-date live schedules.
Come along to a show and hear Robin James Hurt shaping folk music into something new and picking a mean Martin guitar while he does it...
Hey, We're having a launch party upstairs in whelans for our debut EP "Dead Man's Dream" on friday night!! please join us! Best wishes The Whiskey Limbs:>
Hi Robin. Things are fine. Yes i see you have been busy with the gigs. Perhaps you should move nearer to Temple Bar.lol. Was at a Taylor Guitar night in Marcus Music. They were in Dublin the night before. Are you heading to America this summer.? Robin.
Hi Robin, hope you are keeping well? :) They are songs without singing, because I can't sing! And I can't play instruments, except poorly on guitar! That's why I do it all on the computer, as it's easier! Sounds like a band that likes a beer or two, which suits me! lol It's a shame The Mansions left this world all those years ago. I still play their CDs, in the hope they reform again... :) I get Cathal's CDs, but it's not the same... :(
Love your songs! Showing what the Irish do best, making great music! :)
As always it went well and even got into the charts. Sadly the competition was massive this time round and it didn't stay in the charts this time. I'm waiting a week then I'm going to nominate come away home. That's my favourite song.
love to your family and thanks for the well wishes. I'm really looking forward to the tour.
Nice to hear from you mate.......Hope you and the family are well ther in Dublin town.....I have to get over there sometime. Thanks for the compliment on my song Iowa......glad you enjoyed it.
glad to be connected, really liking your sound there, yeah hopefully we ll get to meet up along the line somewhere, from what i see of your 2 northern irish gigs, they re on dates i ve gigs too,
Im recording a new album at the moment so i should have a few new tracks up in a few weeks, in the meantime i hope you find my music easy on the ear
Hey Robin, how's it going over there in Ireland? We've just put a new limited-time-only song up on our myspace called "Running Down The Line", so get in quick & have a listen - we'd love to hear what you think. Take care & keep in touch, Cheers, The Havelocks
Online Now!
