In the autumn of 2022, ROME’s Jérôme Reuter made another trip to Ireland to spend a few weeks among friends. Drinks were drunk and songs were written and at the end `The Dublin Sessions 2` was completed and comprised of all-new folk compositions. Long-time friend, co-producer, and musical collaborator Brian Brody (Rack & Ruin) who supplied Gaelic spoken word and recruited renowned fellow travellers and local talents to add an Irish slant such as Ronan O Snodaigh (Dead Can Dance & Kíla) on bodhran along with Gaelic spoken word, Eoin O Cionnaith on uilleann pipes (Van Morrison & Christy Moore), Matthew Hanaphy on banjo and tin whistles, Goshia Gasior on violin and Andy Slowey on bass.
Tracks from the `The Dublin Session` released in 2019 were cut in Dublin’s legendary Sonic Studio, this second one was held in rural Ireland, at Brian Brody’s Ballycale Studio, in County Wexford. The songs on `The Dublin Session 2` are all new and unreleased songs that combine traditional Irish folk music with ROME’s contemporary proto folk.
The album opens with `Upon The Emerald Isle` a gentle misty eerie introduction before a bodhrán and tin whistle join and drive this number along and awaken our spirits. Jérôme`s voice has a haunting texture on `Give Your Heart to the Hawks`. A reflective composition which has historical hints towards Rome and Troy with violin hues and a tin whistle which adds an intensive almost spiritual poignancy. The lyrics suggest giving your heart to the hawks, a bird of prey often regarded as symbols of vision, focus, and intuition, representing the ability to see beyond the ordinary and grasp deeper meanings. They are also associated with leadership, strength, and spiritual connection in various cultures.
The contemplative `Muse Of Fire` has a slight melancholic texture with a percussive beat. In Shakespeare’s Henry V, the phrase “muse of fire” refers to a powerful, inspiring force, similar to the classical muses, but with the added intensity and vivacity of fire. A quite dreamy listen. We have in `An der Landwehr` (Lament of an Icarus) a number sung in German. It translates to military training so maybe an acoustic guitar led lament, keening, eulogy or requiem with gentle banjo tones and violin strings.
`Eirigh Anois!` has an unerring complexity and vulnerability with uilleann pipes and Gaelic spoken words that appear to nod towards `Rise now` a delightfully haunting moving and heartbreaking submission. We have in `Hold The Line` a composition that`s catchy, and danceable. A kind of rousing pub session or seisiún call to arms.
`My White Rose` is a heartrending tender and touching meditative pensive work, which has a deep elucidation. A white rose symbolises purity, innocence, and new beginnings. Next up is an amusing humorous playful ditty about joining the Imperial Russian Army with `The Tsarist Army`, a jaunty rhythmic shanty of sorts.
`Caoineadh Na Solas` (Lament for the Sun) has a weeping uilleann pipe tone with a Gaelic spoken oration, a clanging bell and gull squalls which is wonderfully evocative and ends with waves lapping a shoreline. The title translates literally to crying of the lights. A chanson song `La Peau Dernière` is shared in French with the title interpreted as last skin. A song about a last love possibly.
The closing number `Deoch An Dorais` (The Final Salute) is a narrative ballad and has Gaelic spoken word shared over and alongside a tin whistle and plucked banjo.
`The Dublin Session 2` runs at around thirty minutes in length but there is so much to take in musically and lyrically, it can almost feel overwhelming at times. It was an emotional listen that felt personal for me as my family is Irish and I thought it was so respectful and heartfelt.
Another enduring legacy from Jérôme Reuter and this time with a Celtic tinge.
Rating 9/10
