Martin Hayes one of the Greatest?

Having read in a publication recently that Cahill and Hayes are the most exciting duo in Irish Music today because of their ‘almost telepathy sensitivity to each others playing’, got me thinking…

To be honest when I first heard his played I didn’t like it is as it seemed to be over the top.
However after buying ‘The Lonesome Touch ’ cd I’ve got addicted to it.

To me one of the great things about Hayes‘ playing is that is has gone the opposite direction of the ’speed merchants’ whos tunes tend to all sound the same, he plays in a way which really emphasis’s the melodic diversity of each tune. This coupled with his great tone, flow and phrasing makes his playing a joy to hear.

Also his steady, easy going pace seems to capture the west of Ireland’s rural relaxed spirit.
I think for that alone he should be applauded.

What do you think?

If you like the lonesome touch you’ll love his latest “Welcome here again” with Dennis playing mando on some of ’em. Due for release Feb 12th I think. 18 tracks in all, 59 mins in total, some of the tracks just simple single tunes like in the old days. A cracking CD altogether.

https://thesession.org/discussions/16556

deja vu

Wasn’t the last one about Michael Hayes!?

Now for something completely different

Wasn’t Michael Hayes the farmer that Christy Moore used to sing about?

I hope there are’nt many more in the Hayes family, or we’ll never get to the end of this!

OK, can we talk about Paddy Hayes now, box playing supremo?

What about Purple Hayes? Excuse me while I kiss dis guy. Don’t telepathic patois me, as Slim Gaillard wouldn’t say

BTW for that kind of “telepathic” duo interaction you could hardly beat Aly Bain and Ale Möller’s CDs or Kevin MacLeod and Alec Finn for that matter.

Sorry, Backer, but his parents were noted for making Hayes while the sun shone.

I’ve a remote memory from art classes at school that Michael Hayes was a 19th century artist.
I’ve seen Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill in concert in Bristol on a couple of occasions, and what they produce live on stage is pretty well what you hear from their recordings – something that not every musician can do. They take the time to explore the music in depth, but when they need to move it along a bit, there’s no stopping them. Don’t forget that Martin’s skills were honed in ceili bands. Regarding the “telepathy”, it’s no more than the interaction you’ll often see between other musicians (and actors, too) at the highest level.

Ok then, grab this:
http://celticgrooves.homestead.com/CG_Hayes_Paddy_Shores.html

Absolutely!

I think he’s one of the greatest in a style of playing that I have never particularly cared for.

Martins style is unique, though you might have noticed it has become influential in some recent AI competitors.
It is partly because his style is so individual that he has made a name for himself. He also has plenty of life experiance that support the depths of his music. He has soul.
Although I am one for a more lively style , four men and a dogs tunes really do it for me😎 I appreciate his music. He has influenced my own style and I enjoy playing with a more laid back approach, but like martin himself, I do not confine myself to this one style. He can play as fast and as furious as he likes, and I enjoy it very much when he does.

I understand that it was announced last night in Ennis that Martin Hayes was nominated by TG4, the Irish language tv channel as THE TRADITIONAL MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR to be conferred in concert in Killarney on March 21 or Easter Weekend down in Killarney at the Glenneagle Hotel. So now he is officially one of the greatest because they have excellent taste in doling out those awards as close followers of the scene will confirm.

🙂

Went to a Martin Hayes concert once. Two great musicians but the style is not for me. Repetition and the slow tempo killed it for me and there were times when the same tune was played so many times that I felt like calling out "Change the tune….please. Great style for learning tunes from however.

Seemed like a really nice guy when I saw him in a small venue in Wales- quite shy when talking to the audience, but trying to say something ‘real’ and speak directly to them.
I agree with Free Reed about the playing: at times, it did seem a bit drawn out and formulaic, but maybe that goes with being (essentially) a solo performer. Having said that, I love his CD’s and style- like most good things- in small doses!

The slow tempo has only bothered me once. Taking a slow lament and cutting the tempo in half is……….just………………waaaaaaaaaaaaay……………………………….too………………………..sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

I listened to the first few cuts of the new CD this morning and I think I like it. I noticed right away that Martin’s tone is richer than on the earlier recordings. I can see how somebody who does a lot of session playing might be put off by the slow tempo and repetition, but I like to hear personal takes on these tunes.

Yeah, I’m hooked on these guys too. Will order the new issue.
Sorry for those who find him (Hayes) too slow or repetitive. I’m in
agreement with lazyhound and iris nevins (no surprise, as
I always find their comments interesting and respectable.)

Well, I’ve heard the whole thing now and I enjoyed it a lot. It’s different from the others. Dennis playing mandolin is a very nice touch.

I just noticed this:

“The fiddle is tuned down a full step on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10,11,18”

Bob---thanks for the “heads up” on Martin’s tuning.
Now I’m wondering about the mando tuning (I have
an old Washburn).

On the inside cover, Dennis is pictured with a nylon-string guitar and it sounds like that’s what he used for the recording.

I hear a viola in there, too. Is Martin Hayes a closet llig leachim wannabe?

Hmm, heard fierce traditional ? Frankie’s latest….is mostly tuned up a semi tone…… Eb whistle territory,
while sounds like Martin is in ‘C whistle’ land.
Viola , love that warmth, tricky making the C ‘snap’ though!

‘Fierce Traditional’ is hardly ‘Frankie’s latest’ as it was released in 2001!

His most recent album is last year’s ‘The Full Score’.

I took a week long workshop with Martin in The Catskills this past summer. He is an incredibly funny and witty guy. I really love his style of playing. He started out playing in Ceili Bands and just took the music in a new direction. Of course he’ll get a lot of flack for that. He really is an incredible artist.