ENTERTAINMENT: Coda launching new CD in Westport tonight

Renowned harper Laoise Kelly will be launching Coda’s new CD, ‘O’Carolan in Song’, in Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar, Westport, this Thursday, November 23, at 8pm.
Drawing on vocal talent from Mayo, Coda comprises of seven singers who started developing their own approach to vocal harmonies several years ago. It is rare to find a group of singers and musicians who combine strong backgrounds in Irish traditional, folk and contemporary music, with an a cappella singing ability and style developed from various musical backgrounds.
Ten years have passed since Coda launched their first album, ‘Mouthmusic’, which was produced by Maurice Lennon. Since then, the group has performed at home and abroad at numerous venues and music festivals and on TV and radio.
The group released their second album, ‘Train of Spirits’, in 2017. Produced by the legendary Dónal Lunny, the album contains 12 tracks of original and contemporary folk and traditional songs, all superbly arranged by Coda.

Discovering the lyrics
Speaking ahead of the launch, band member Conall Ó Domhnaill talked about how this latest album came about and its inspiration, legendary blind harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) from Co Meath.
“In the spring of 2021, Laoise Kelly, representing Féile Chruite Acla, approached us with an idea for a project,” he explained. “Many people are familiar with the wonderful tunes of O’Carolan, but until Laoise informed us, we were not aware that most of those famous tunes had lyrics! That was how O’Carolan earned his living – writing songs and tunes in praise of his benefactors.
“Laoise presented us with two copies of ‘The Complete Carolan Songs and Airs’, by Caitríona Rowsome, and asked if we would try out the songs within. The idea was to pick two or three of them and sing them online for the Achill Harp Festival, which would be a virtual event that year due to Covid restrictions.”

Valley House recording
Conall and the rest of Coda spent the next few months trawling through the books and whittling down the songs until they ended up with the nine songs that feature on this album.
“Trying to get a handle on the songs was difficult at the start, as we couldn’t meet up and so had to send recordings around via WhatsApp,” Conall said. “Eventually, restrictions were eased and we were able to meet again as Coda. Freda Hatton – a wonderful harper living in Westport – came on board, and we all got cracking on the arrangements. Laoise also organised the legendary Steve Cooney to come and meet with us on two occasions and help refine our instrumental arrangements. What an experience!
“So, we practised all summer long and when it came to doing the recording it was very difficult to get a venue in Achill as ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ was being filmed at the time. Finally, we got a venue – The Valley House – which proved to be a lovely setting.
“We recorded the nine songs there, and this live performance was broadcast online as part of Féile Chruite Acla, in October 2021. We had spent so much time and effort and received such good feedback, that we decided to go ahead and make a CD of the concert.”
The launch will be a free, informal gathering in Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar. Doors will open at 8pm. For those who can’t make it, Coda and Freda Hatton will be performing a full concert on February 23, 2024, in Westport Townhall Theatre.