Banshee Reel
The now defunct band Banshee Reel were one of the main sources of
my initial interest in Celtic based rock music. I spent many hours over several years catching them any time I could.
Mostly when in Palmerston North they played at an 'Irish' bar known as 'The Shamrock' but I also saw them play at Massey University orientation gigs as well as outdoor gigs in the Esplanade gardens. Not to mention an assortment of other venues outside of Palmerston North.
They went through several line-up changes but for me, the 'classic'
band consisted of Allan Clark on bass, Gavin Duncan on fiddle, Julia Deans on acoustic guitar, Mo on drums and Chris O'Connell on mandolin. This is essentially the line-up for the release of their first
album in 1993, called Culture Vulture. 'Here We Go Again' was written by Rob Joass who later on went to form 'The Hobnail Boots'. This song was later covered by Captain Tractor on their 3rd album, 'Bought The Farm'. 'Johnny's Ghost' appears on the recent 'Captain Tractor' release 'Hat Trick'.
The tracks on the album are as follows
Johnny's Ghost - Clark, Banshee, Trad.
Step it out Mary - Trad.
Horses - Clark, Banshee, Trad.
Star of the County Down - Trad.
Maggie Death - Clark, Banshee, Trad.
Flat fish, Shallow Water - O'Connell, Banshee
If I Should Fall from Grace with God - McGowan
Fired From the Heart - Clark, Banshee
Here We Go Again - R. Joass
In 1995, the first album was followed up by a second called An Orchestrated Litany of Lies, a famous quote from NZs recent political
past. This album featured the 'new' member, Tony Coughlan on accordian. Other musicians on the album include Alan Norman (writer of 'In Yer Dreams'), Janet Roddick and Rory Morrison.
40 Miles of Pain also is covered by Captain Tractor on 'Bought the Farm'.
This album consisted of:
Sorrow - Clark
Never Can Tell - O'Connell, Duncan
Blood on Your Hands - O'Connell
Lament - Clark, Duncan, Moen
The Miner - Clark
Honest to God - O'Connell, Deans
In Yer Dreams - Norman
40 Miles of Pain - Clark
Burn Me - O'Connell
I Haven't Time - Moen
Lament II - Clark
The band spent some time overseas, playing in Australia, Europe, the US (specifically, New Mexico) and extensively in Canada, where they met up with 'Captain Tractor' as well
as many other artists and performers. This meeting eventually led to
'Captain Tractor' coming to NZ in early 1996.
Since they split up, the members have kept busy with various activities.
Mo is now in Jacky Tar, Chris is in The Navigators, Julia is in Fur Patrol,
Gavin got married and moved back to Scotland where he now has a young child, Allan is reported to be managing a major local recording studio.
There is rumours of a reunion 3rd album coming out at some stage. I, for one, look forward to such a thing.
Here are some photos of the band taken at various times over the
years.
Taken in Wanganui at the same gig as the Captain Tractor and Shanakie photos.
The last time I saw the band play in Palmerston North, in late 1996
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