Whirling Dervishes

Dervish are a good-time trad band, whose charismatic singer, Cathy Jordon, never fails to have a humorous quip ready between songs. Before a fairly packed crowd they got a rousing reception, particularly when they let loose on those jigs and reels, which was often enough.

It's a pity though that the vocals weren't a bit higher in the mix because even though the crowd were quiet when they needed to be, you had to strain very hard to hear what she was saying, let alone singing. And it was unfortunate because Cathy Jordon has a great dead-pan humour and an even better singing voice. Hoarse she may have been when talking, because as she admitted she had been a Major addict and had been only recently hypnotised off them, but when she started into a song her voice was pure and resonant with the best of traditional singing flavours.

Dervish are no Pogues. They carry on the tradition rather than expand it. However, one thing they don't do is fall into the boring depths of the purist's trap. They got on stage to entertain and to enjoy themselves, and they succeeded admirably. There were sets called after London pubs and songs about a mad wild hare from the Co. Armagh who never got caught; about buying a pig in Bunlahy; about a fella from Tipp who went away to make his fortune but had to come home because he wasn't too talented at that sort of escapade. 'Asthór Mo Chroí' was another powerfully emotional emigrant song, while 'Don't Forget Love', sung a cappella, showed that Cathy Jordon can sing with the best of them. 'Máire Mór' was as Gaeilge, and was about a stout lassy who was the talk of the Aran Islands for a while. The woman in 'Fair Lady', I'm sure, was the talk of a fair few places too, considering that she dressed up as a man so that she could join the Royal Navy.

Dervish proved in Whelan's that when traditional music is played with passion and humour, it is still as relevant as it ever was. We were informed at the end of the gig that there was a petition at the door. RTE, we learned, are planning to axe roots music programmes come September. Seemingly, this is inspired by the success of the commercial stations. That RTE should intend to copy these cultural criminals in an attempt to puke out the greatest greatest shits of all time is something truly disturbing.

Dervish are playing every Tuesday at Whelans. Go see them and sign the petition. Or get your own one going. Because the thought of being suffocated in a tank-full of raaack classics, night, noon and morning, is simply too much to bear.

• Gerry McGovern