Boxty: An Irish potato pancake with a characteristic smooth, fine-grained consistency – a fine namesake for a group delving into the Irish musical tradition and its many relatives and offshoots.
The Boxties’ A Net of Souls: Songs of Dislocation and Common Ground was an inspired performance in an intimate setting. Featuring Ashreya Ward Assistant Artistic Director/Vocals and Oboe, Deanna Connelly as Violin, Annie Silva as Bass Guitar, Bridget Matthews as Percussionist, Mitchell Dormer as Piano/Vocals, Ebony Cundy-Profke as Viola/Mandolin/Vocals, Ben Burrows as Vocals and Rachel Kelly as Tuba - it’s safe to say this is quite the ensemble. All in all The Boxties are really something and in a live setting, you are able to feel their spirit and joy for music.
When it comes to the intricacies of the performance, including the tone and timbre, there are many ways to describe these elements. Firstly, this chamber ensemble are talented and not only perfectly in time with each other but also quite visibly in sync. Their tone and musical timbre was indicated early in the performance with their opening set Traditional arr. The Gloaming. This particular piece was infused with a folky texture and the violin would frantically dance across the slower patterns of the surrounding instruments. Big Steamers, Rumours of War and The Lads In Their Hundreds were also a few traditional pieces that were more about the story and messages voiced then about a folk infused melodic line such as with the opening piece.
The next few songs were by Sting and included And Yet and August Winds. Not to mention the musicality and stage setting was nice and intimate. Each musician from The Boxties had their own place on the stage and there are three levels with the percussionist situated on the top in the middle. Each performer was lively and clearly feeling every note they were playing. It was not only impressive but enjoyable to watch these musicians interact and play together. From there on we had While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping and back with a bit more Sting with Show Some Respect. If there’s anything that defines The Boxties it’s their lively nature and musical interconnectedness. Vocalist Ashreya Ward owned every song in the set no matter the variation in genre and tone and powerfully delivered each lyric.
Practical Arrangement slowed things down and gave a romantic twist to the mostly politically relevant themes to the show thus far. There was also a nice spoken word accompaniment that featured in songs from Ben Burrows and this was a nice way to address certain themes across the show. Following this fine tune was Sudden Waves and after that back to The Gloaming with The Pilgrim’s Song. Finishing off the night was A Pace Called England, and it’s safe to say that not only was upbeat foot tapping heard from these wonderful musicians but a rumble of cheering arose from the audience to thank these talented musicians for a special evening of music.
June 27 - June 29
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
Joanna Letic