'He would make music out of a sheaf of oats'
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John Hoban
THE title of the CD is "John Hoban". Simple, informative, unpretentious
and yet enigmatic; just like the man himself.
The CD represents a very tiny segment of his career. And on the clock
of his life so far it takes up about a second. Still, it's as good a device
as any to track the Minstrel (or the Pilgrim, as he calls himself) from
Castle Lane, Castlebar, to Brisbane and New York via Canada, Thailand,
Turkey, Claremorris and back to Castlebar.
The Long Forgotten Saint
was written when he was thirteen, shortly after his mother's death. The
music for it "happened" thirty years later in Detroit. What
John Hoban started off, as a three-day seminar (on The Cultural Poverty
of the Irish Emigrant) is now an annual event in Detroit.
Castle Lane is about where he was born, reared and grew up. He
still walks on and loves that street. So evocative is this work that you
can almost hear the tramp of LDF boots. And with any stretch of the imagination
your mental nostrils will be assailed by the smell of freshly-cured bacon
and new leather from the saddlers. It's a tribute to the auld stock of
Castlebar and everywhere as well as an attempt -like most artforms to
recapture a distant youth.
Different is dedicated to those who are; thank God we're in the
majority. And John Hoban has met a lot of "different" people.
In Bohola and Brisbane, Charlestown and Cincinnati, Swinford, Sydney and
many points between, he has brought his talents to the different and the
not so different.
The White Feather is a parody cum I'll-let-somebody-know-who-I-am
work. But it has a typical twist-in-the-tail Hoban mischief about it.
And being well aware of the raconteur in him I wasn't in any way surprised,
some time ago, when I learned he was giving classes, in Seattle, for artists
and writers on "Storytelling - the Art".
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Contributions |
His own favourite (the only one on the album which he didn't compose)
is Flower of Sweet Erin the Green . It is a traditional song, which
he learned from the great Fermanagh singer/musician, Cathal McConnell.
Slán le Van was inspired by a concert, which John attended
in San Francisco in 1993. In it he thanks Van Morrison for his
music over 25 years. I have yet to hear John Hoban harshly criticise any
other artist's work or speak in any way debasing about the efforts of
an individual.
The Knights of The Road is about displaced people. John Hoban was
taught, as a child, to show respect and compassion for the tinkers. And
sensitive man that he is he always adored them. He gleaned material and
got inspiration from " their real lives, real stories and long black
coats". Those values learned in Castle Lane, coupled with his conviction
that "everyone has music in them", have benefited the marginalised,
worldwide.
Waiting For the Kingdom was inspired by the tragic death, in 1997,
of one of his old school mates, Buddy Gannon. On the streets of London,
far removed (in every way) from Castle Lane. Buddy's last words to him
were: "I love you man".
The Rose and the Heather is a metaphor for not so much two opposing
worlds as two facets of experience which complimented each other and helped
to mould a John Hoban who is such a contribution to culture today. He
was a founder member of The Shamrock Traditional Irish Society in Fairfield,
Connecticut, and developed teaching and music philosophy for the group.
He has taught music to all ages all over the world and has played professionally,
solo and with bands, in clubs, schools, pubs and concert halls.
Soul-baring
On My Side is a soul-baring song/monologue from a man who has been
through the mill and who now can speak and talk with gratitude and who
can offer experience gained from playing all types of music, teaching
music, dance and language, community service and music education, extensive
travel and cultural exchange.
I referred earlier to the sensitivity, and caring ways of my friend John
Hoban. And before I finish I must tell you of his awareness of the fragility
of my humility. Like the time he was giving the class in tin-whistle playing
to a group of six-year olds. I asked if I could sit in on it, only to
be told; "It's a bit too advanced for you, Mattie".
He's gone to America for a couple of months and I'll have a riposte for
him when he comes back.......if I can think of one.
You can buy John's CD directly from www.openear.ie:
Click on this button to buy John's CD: 
Visit the fantastic Irish Music Site: www.openear.ie
John Hoban is issued on own label.
Details available from: John
Hoban@hotmail.com