Mattie Lennon: The Pilgrim
The Pilgrim
by Mattie Lennon
The title of the CD is "John Hoban". Simple, informative,
unpretentious and yet enigmatic; just like the man himself. John Hoban was
born in Castlebar in 1954. 46 years later on his CV, under work experience
we read; "Music has been my life. I play all instruments e.g. guitar,
harmonica, banjo, whistles, bodhran, violin. My main instrument is my
voice accompanied by mando-cello. I sing and compose songs, poetry,
stories". 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 3-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"
Of "Born In Mayo" he says; "We set out together,
somewhere along the way I got lost. The search, the struggle and then we
met again"; "I forgave myself And then I met you." He says;
" My vision is to continue making cultural contributions as a
Musician/Artist from Castlebar".
"Safe Journey" is about a bus ride from Scarrif to Limerick,
on a frosty November morning, a film about gypsies, a housing project in
Seattle and a 6th century song/Prayer from Co Mayo. Not very likely
ingredients for a song.....But we are talking about John Hoban; of whom it
has been said; "he would make music out of a sheaf of oats".
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.
"Slan 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. His Music Biography sums it up; "John's method of
teaching music is to focus on the individual plus work on individual
expression in a group/community setting. His work is to give children or
adults (big children) the basic skills of music making, then to help them
find their own tone and rhythm in the music they make. His work helps
people to develop and flow with their natural ability and intuition in
music.
What he believes to be true in all cases is the African proverb; 'If
you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance'. Central to
John's work is listening to and learning from each of his students.
Encouragement is vital and he lives by the Gaelic proverb, "Mol an
Oige agus tiocfaidh siad"-praise the children and they will respond.
He believes music is a healing, learning process, and an individual
expression of who we are at any given time". 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 marginilised, worldwide.
He has worked at various music therapy projects in New York City e.g.
Music for Homeless People, Music for the Elderly etc. On these projects he
has worked with top music therapist, Noah Shapiro. In Windsor he worked
with refugees from Bosnia, Lebanon, Somalia on "Music is Our First
Language". Back home in Castlebar he worked as Music Director and
Performer in "Mise Freisin"-Interactive Theatre for people with
disability.
"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 world
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.
"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. His plans for the future are to
compose, play and teach music and to write a book about his teaching
methods. He hopes to develop music in and around Castlebar with a view to
employing others and contributing to the community and economy through
cultural means. He is also planning the development of a worldwide web.
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.
Mattie's articles,
stories and songs [mp3/fieldwork/other_collections/_private/whitefooter.html]