Lorna Irvine reviews a 'unique and triumphant' performance, part of this year's Celtic Connections.
There are not many bands who appear in arthouse films with Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and John Turturro as themselves--but then, Romanian gypsy collective Taraf de Haidouks are pretty special. The band, who number up to thirteen on occasion, were picked by Depp himself, a huge fan, to appear with him and the aforementioned stars in Sally Potter's drama The Man Who Cried in 2000.
Now celebrating twenty-five years of making music, their frenetic celebratory folk incites some pretty iffy circle dancing tonight, through manic off-kilter melodies like 'Moldavian Shepherds' Dance' or the more traditional 'Clejani Love Song'.
But the biggest cheers of the evening are reserved for the appearance of the wonderful, lusty vocals and hip-shaking of female member Viorica Dumitru, singer of their best-loved 'Dumbala Dumba'.
With original members Neculae Neacsu and Ion Manole sadly passed away, their sons (respectively), Tsagoi and Gheorghe, have now joined the band, bringing the sense that they could go on forever.
On the strength of tonight, a great many people would be delighted to hear that. Taraf are unique and triumphant as ever, and we are lucky to have them.
Long may they reign.
Of Lovers, Gamblers and Parachute Skirts is out on January 26th on Crammed Discs
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