Seeing the promo material for “The Job of Songs” and the words “traditional Irish music” I experienced very Canadian flashbacks of television shows “Don Messer’s Jubilee” and “The Pig and Whistle”. Teen PTSD!
Forcing myself to watch this Irish documentary was not easy. It took me three days of “yes watch” and “no watch”. As the credits rolled it was more like “glad I watched”.
The documentary focuses on the music and musicians of Doolin, County Clare in Western Ireland a picturesque small town situated near the famous Cliffs of Moher. Initially minutes with interesting musicians and that awful foot tapping of what the uninitiated may label as “Irish Pub Music”. However the musicians of Doolin go beyond what I dare say most ignorantly but from the heart this is music addressed to the many tourists that visit the Cliffs of Moher sort of like a bus tour of Americans in from Dublin.
Thankfully the music shifts from rollicking pub music to a more soulful style of music and we hear fascinating story of the musician’s memories, aspirations, and fears. Music is music isn’t it? Well sort of right? These Irish musicians could be members of The Grateful Dead in human terms. What comes out of their mouths and from their instruments may be different but in a soulful impact to their audience the job of music weaves its spell. Given a different musical bent I can easily picture Jimmy Hendrix playing the acoustic guitar in a Doolin County Clare pub. Am I confusing you? If I am not confusing you then you will transcend musical styles and penetrate the soul of musicians. And if you love Irish music revel in this film.
Although many talented and insightful music rolls toward you one number knocked me right over somewhat like the extreme left wing of Irish “traditional music” was a ballad by Katie Theasby. Move over Adele and Petula Clark be aware Katie has arrived in town. Pure Irish soul! Papa’s Got a Brand-New Flute!
This skillfully layered documentary was directed by Lila Schmitz and Anika Kan Grevstad.
You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/859646993
The doc will be released on digital platforms 21November2023.
RKS 2023 Film Rating: 90/100.
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