Irish bands have a lot for which they can thank ’70s trad-rock band Horslips. The number of bands who would honestly cite Horslips as one of their biggest influences is probably quite low, however they have left their mark on the music industry and perhaps credit is not given to them enough, particularly among young music fans and critics. ‘Happy To Meet, Sorry to Part’, released in 1973 and re-released this year , was the first genuine DIY album release after the band recorded and released it on their own label ‘Oats Records’.
Although Horslips are perhaps best known for their classic single Dearg Doom, they deserve praise for this album not only because it was the first self-made, self-released album but also because they dared to be different. The blend of rock and traditional Irish music is something that no one has achieved so well before or since Horslips and ‘Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part’ is the prime example of their musical innovation.
One of the first attention grabbing tracks on the album is Hall of Mirrors which exudes the spirit of Jim Morrison and his poetic deliverance of music. The album was created two years after the death of The Doors’ frontman so it is surely safe to say that they gained some influence from Morrison. It is one of the few songs that lacks a strong element of traditional Irish music; which simply shows how easily it was for the band to chop and change between the two genres. The lyrics are thought provoking and inspired and they mesh evenly with the masterful musicianship of the track; one of those songs, which are so rare today, that draw you into yourself to consider the lyrics. Scalloway Rip Off is on the other side of Horslips’ spectrum; This track is quintessentially trad, complete with yelps and claps, with a rocked-up drum beat to make it just that bit more edgy by the traditional standards of the time it was recorded. These days it’s not uncommon to hear a heavy drum beat behind a traditional jig or reel, most certainly the influence of Horslips.
The most outstanding track on the album is the somewhat trippy Bím Isigh Ag Ól. The Irish language always sounds beautiful when sung and even when placed alongside psychedelic-rock guitar licks the traditional aspect of the song manages to uphold it’s attractiveness. It is an exciting song to listen to as the trad and rock aspects become one and the same; interwoven to produce a majestically Irish rock song for which they were never given enough credit.
Horslips never reached the heights of U2 or Thin Lizzy, but it can be assumed that they never wanted that kind of rock and roll stardom. It is clear from listening to this album that they were experimental with their music, had a passion for Irish traditional music and simply wanted to create songs that they enjoyed playing. The tracks on the album were and are still not chart friendly but that is what makes ‘Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part’ so special. It is as timeless as any of the classic albums from ’70s, but it will always be a treasure because it was the first of its kind and there will never be anything so unique. A thoroughly enjoyable album.