Mumblin’ Deaf Ro’s (aka Dubliner Rónán Hession’s) second album should fall on fertile ground after the critical acclaim garnered by his 2003 debut, Senor My Friend. Here we find the same high lyricism and story-telling weaved through bluesy guitar, though the artist has clearly developed, since the writing on his latest 10-song record forms much more of a thematic whole than the song compilation-style of its predecessor.
Mumblin’ Deaf Ro’s husky voice and folky style frequently inspire comparisons with Nick Drake. I’d throw in some mellow-side Ronan O Snodaigh too, though minus the tribal shaman element; ecstatic frenzy is the very opposite of what the ever-understated Mumblin’ Deaf Ro does best. Musically this artist slots right into the finger-picking guitar canon of old acoustic blues players like Mississippi John Hurt, The Rev. Gary Davis and Doc Watson, but his expertise as a poet and a teller of tales owes a big nod to the Irish seanachai tradition.
The watery depths of the inner life, its turmoils and sadnesses, permeate the songs on the appropriately-named The Herring And The Brine. Yet the awareness of loss, broken-heartedness, disillusionment and failed expectations is leavened by poking gentle fun at the slightly maudlin narrator (who is not synonymous with the artist) and his tendency towards self-pity and regret.
Another voice is present that says we are but dust, and in the grand scheme of things none of these small miseries matter. A consciousness that makes Mumblin’ Deaf Ro philosophical as well as lyrical. It’ll be interesting to see where he brings this special awareness next.