WE BANJO 3 – String Theory (own label WB3CD004)

string theoryTake a look at the photographs on the cover of String Theory and you might wonder what you’re letting yourself in for. I mean, these guys look like exiles from Ripper Street!  This is the third studio album – there is a live set, too – from the brothers David and Martin Howley and Fergal and Enda Scahill and if you’ve never heard We Banjo 3 before you might still wonder what you’re in for. The name is a puzzle, too: there are four of them but only two play banjo – I suppose that averages out at three!

The boys’ sound is a wild amalgamation of bluegrass, old-timey and Irish, largely traditional with some original compositions and three covers. The set opens with ‘This Is Home’ written by David and Enda, a song expressing hope for continued peace in Ireland and establishing one set of their credentials. Then they switch to ‘Good Time Old Time’, a set of three old-timey tunes, one of them written by Martin followed by ‘Happiness’, an appropriately upbeat song by Tuam singer-songwriter Noelie McDonnell featuring Fergal’s fiddle and the pattern for the album is set.

Greg Brown’s ‘Ain’t Nobody Else Like You’ features vocalist Aoife Scott and other guests include Alison Brown and James Blennerhasset plus a brass section which features on ‘Happiness’. ‘Trying To Love’ is an old song by David and is practically rock’n’roll and We Banjo 3 follow that with the gentle air ‘Crann Na Beatha’ which allows you to draw breath before the sprint to the line. ‘Little Liza Jane’ is a song that everybody knows in one form or another but the star of the set for me is an American variant of ‘Two Sisters’ – there are actually four sisters but the middle pair don’t get much to do.

Finally we get the stonking ‘Chair Snappers’ Delight’ a set which exemplifies the band’s approach. The first tune, ‘Happy Holler’, is an old-timey piece from Tennessee; they got ‘The Wild Irishman’ from Frankie Gavin while ‘I’m Ready Now!’ is from O’Neill’s. String Theory is a great album with some spectacular tunes and fine songs and one we enthusiastically recommend.

Dai Jeffries

Artists’ website: http://www.webanjo3.com/

‘Happiness’ – official video: