With some notable exceptions, Irish acts have struggled to deliver what are essentially American music forms, from bluegrass to blues, without lapsing into fake accents that grate and irritate. The Oirish strain of country and western has inspired the least forgivable culprits.
Dublin-based five-piece Tupelo avoid all such temptations, and through a blend of integrity and Grade A acoustic musicianship, they offer us a selection of classy tracks that run the gamut from the delicate bluegrass of ‘Firefly’ to the rootsy blues of ‘Railroad (reprise)’. Along the way, ‘Cougar Cat’ has then getting mean and funky, and there’s an irresistible Klezmer feel to ‘Figure It Out’. There’s a touch of Loudon Wainwright about ‘The Blue Gardenia’, before they veer off their well-trodden track with ‘Irish Man’ which reflects their roots in Irish balladry, with James Cramer’s raw and expressive vocal hinting at the immortal Luke Kelly. That the track works in this potentially alien company is testament to Tupelo’s unerring musical instincts.
Cramer’s vocals throughout are spot on, and he’s given remarkable assistance from Kevin Duffy’s feisty fiddle playing and Tom Condron’s sassy sax. The lyrics explore universal themes, with a minimal intrusion of American cliches of the “lonesome whistle blowing” variety. So, with an authentic formula that scores where it matters, Tupelo make music that sounds as joyful to make as it is to listen to.
KEY TRACK: ‘FIGURE IT OUT’