Hello, and welcome to the Celtic Grooves Imports electronic newsletter, bringing you news of recent record releases in Irish traditional music.
Feel free to contact me, using this e-mail address or my home phone (301-565-0648), for more information or orders.
First, my special Holiday list, with the very best albums that have come out this past couple of years, if you missed them the first time around...
--- THE WISH LIST ---
BEGINISH. High-energy instrumental music and a few songs by Brendan Begley (accordion, vocals), Paul McGrattan (flute), Paul O'Shaughnessy (fiddle),
and Noel O'Grady (bouzouki). Can't wait for the next one. Rating: ****
ELIZABETH CROTTY: CONCERTINA MUSIC FROM WEST CLARE. "Pure drop" traditional music by one of its most famous exponents. RTE field recordings made by Ciaran Mac Mathuna in the late 1950s. Rating: ****
DEZI DONNELLY: FAMILIAR FOOTSTEPS. A terrific fiddle recording, which I would recommend to anyone who is interested in Irish fiddle
playing. In my mind, it ranks up there with Paddy Glackin fabled first LP. Rating: ****
FRANK HARTE: 1798 - THE FIRST YEAR OF LIBERTY. A moving collection of songs relating to the 1798 rebellion, by the acclaimed Dublin
singer, with tasteful accompaniment by Donal Lunny. Rating: ****
THE McNAMARA FAMILY: LEITRIM'S HIDDEN TREASURE. From this very talented family of flute, pipes, fiddle, and concertina players, a brilliant album featuring the rarely heard but stunning local repertoire of Co. Leitrim. Rating: *****
COLM O'DONNELL: FAREWELL TO EVENING DANCES. A beautiful recordingby this Co. Sligo flute/whistle player, singer and lilter. And a generously
long CD with 18 tracks. What a treat! Rating: ****
GEAROID O'HALLMHURAIN & PATRICK OURCEAU: TRACIN'. A superb CD, definitely one of the best of the year, by Clare concertina player Gearoid O'hAllmhurain and French-born fiddler Patrick Ourceau. Let them "trace" for you. Rating: *****
PAUL O'SHAUGHNESSY: STAY ANOTHER WHILE. Masterful fiddle playing in the Donegal style. Fans of energetic Irish fiddle playing and Donegal music should enjoy this thoroughly. Rating: ****
TOMMY PEOPLES: THE QUIET GLEN. Much awaited new (1998) album by the master fiddle player from Donegal. His playing is as crisp and mesmerizing as ever. Includes several of Tommy's compositions. Rating: ****
SIONA: LAUNCHING THE BOAT. Brilliant ensemble playing by a young quartet, featuring in particular the wonderful flute player June Ni Chormaic.
Rating: ***1/2
SLIABH NOTES: GLEANNTAN. Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Donal Murphy (accordion), and Tommy O'Sullivan (vocals, guitar) have produced a great
recording. Highly recommended. Rating: ****
--- OTHER GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS ---
BOOK - BREANDAN BREATHNACH: CEOL RINCE NA HEIREANN VOL. 5. Edited by Jackie Small, the latest volume in this tremendous collection (all five volumes are in print) documenting the Irish instrumental tradition. Paperback, 139pp.
BOOK - CAOIMHIN MAC AOIDH: BETWEEN THE JIGS & THE REELS - THE DONEGAL FIDDLE TRADITION. An important book on one of the strongest regional music traditions in Ireland by one of its most devoted supporters. Paperback, 320pp.
BOOK - GEAROID O'HALLMHURAIN: A POCKET HISTORY OF IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC. Concise, yet packed with information, and most entertaining to read. Paperback, 160pp.
BOOK - FINTAN VALLELY: THE COMPANION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC. If you love ITM, this is the encyclopedia you've been waiting for. Over 475 pages of names, dates, facts, music, photos, you name it. Essential reading. Hardcover, bibliography, discography.
BOOK - FINTAN VALLELY & CHARLIE PIGGOTT: BLOOMING MEADOWS - THE WORLD OF IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS. A wonderful collection of essays on a true who's who of Irish traditional musicians, with superb photos by Nutan. Hardback, 234pp.
VIDEO - DERVISH: LIVE AT JOHNNY FOX'S PUB. Performed by the previous incarnation of Dervish, with Shane McAleer on fiddle, this has 13 numbers
recorded, including 6 songs by the lovely Kathy Jordan. Picture quality, filming and editing are quite good, all contributing to conveying the "live" experience while allowing the viewer great close-ups of the musicians at work. Rating: ****
VIDEO - FROM SHORE TO SHORE - IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN NEW YORK CITY. IMHO the best documentary yet on Irish traditional music, with historic photographs, film footage, interviews, musical performances by some of the best known musicians in New York. A real treat.
--- PROMISING NEW RELEASES FROM IRELAND ---
THE GODFATHER. Brian Rooney.
TURAS GO TIR NA nOG. Caoimhin O Raghallaigh.
Finbar at Claddagh was raving about these two fiddle albums, and he doesn't
rave too often.
CATHAL HAYDEN. Cathal Hayden (of 4 Men and a Dog fame).
FLATFISH. Flook (with flute player Brian Finnegan)
ROGHA AMHRAN. Dara Ban Mac Donnchadha (sean-nos singing)
RINN NA nGAEL. Nioclas Toibin (sean-nos singing)
NEWTOWN BRIDGE. Eileen O'Brien (fiddler, daughter of Paddy O'Brien)
TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC ON ACCORDION. Mike Daly.
BUT WHY, JOHNNY. John O'Halloran (melodeon player from Inishbofin)
LIVE IN ENNIS. The Bowhouse Quintet (with Tola Custy, Jesse Smith, the
Peoples, and several others!)
PJ HERNON. PJ Hernon (CD reissue of his classic 1978 first LP)
--- RECENT RELEASES ---
*NEW* TURLACH BOYLAN: THE TIDY COTTAGE. From Co. Derry and now residing in Houston, Texas, Turlach is an excellent flute player with an All-Ireland title (slow airs) to his credit. He is joined on this lovely CD by his sister Sheila (fiddle) and brother Ruari (flute), as well as Gerry O'Beirne on guitars and a few others. The music is very nicely played and varied, with a few new compositions, a French-Canadian tune, a march, and a
couple of waltzes added to the usual fare of jigs and reels. Rating: ***1/2 [$16.99]
*NEW* PHIL CALLERY: FROM THE EDGE OF MEMORY. For those who may not know, Phil Callery is a member of The Voice Squad, the trio whose gorgeous harmonies were a revelation a few years ago. Naturally, expectations were running high that this would be an exceptional album. Indeed, Callery's singing is up to the task, but now and again the arrangements have some ingredients (quasi Kenny-G saxophone on the opening track, dobro on the second) that sound out of place. Sometimes, the experimenting does work, as on "Annan Waters" where the strings sound like an instrumental Voice Squad. Callery's supporting cast includes Niall O'Callanain (bouzouki), Dermot Byrne (accordion), Gay McKeon (uilleann pipes), and a host of singers who
contribute lovely vocal harmonies. Rating: ***1/2 [$19.99]
*NEW* THE CEILI BANDITS: HANGIN' AT THE CROSSROADS. These guys have one of the best band names in the business! And their music is not bad either. While the first album had its quirks, this new release is much more straightforward. The unadorned fiddle playing of Yvonne Casey is
often complemented by Kevin Griffin's banjo, with Eoin O'Neill (bouzouki) and Quentin Cooper (mandolin, guitar) completing the line-up. Rating: ***1/2 [$21.99]
*NEW* MICHAEL CLARKSON & GERRY JONES: THE FAR SET. Nice instrumental music by Belfast flute player Michael Clarkson, with guitar/bouzouki accompaniments and songs by Gerry Jones. Too bad this wasn't just an instrumental album. Fortunately, there are only three songs among the 18 tracks. Rating: ***1/2 [$24.99]
*NEW* MARY CUSTY: AFTER 10:30 (Custy). After her very successful first CD "With a Lot of Help...," Mary Custy released a few recordings that were
less than memorable. On her latest, she has reacquainted herself with an old recipe: simplicity, and it works much better. Her gorgeous fiddle playing shines through, with nicely crafted guitar accompaniments by Stephen Flaherty. There is some pure drop here, but also a few "exotic" numbers, some of which I could have done without. And it would have been nice to have more than just 10 tracks. Rating: *** [$21.99]
*NEW* DICKY DEEGAN: AN PHIB (Deegan). This is the second album by this Australian piper whose style, at times exhuberant at the expense of clean technique, reminds me of some of the piping recorded during the 78 era. This is not to say that Deegan is a bad piper, quite the contrary; but he really lets loose on the dance tunes. Deegan also loves to play slow airs, there are no less than 9 out of the 16 tracks. Rating: ***1/2 [$22.99]
*NEW* MAIRIN FAHY: MAIRIN (Abbey). The fiddle player previously with the great Templehouse Ceili Band has now become the "featured soloist from
Riverdance." Her purple solid-body electric fiddle is well in evidence on the front cover. Fortunately, the fiddle playing is solidly traditional throughout, and the electric guitars (and the ubiquitous harmonica of Brendan Power) are kept at bay for the most part. Fahy, who also sings a few songs, has a pleasant voice but I find myself wishing she would cut down on the vibrato. This is a family affair, with Mairin's brother Gerard contributing on pipes, whistle, bouzouki, Yvonne Fahy on accordion, and mother Bridie appearing on fiddle on the wonderful last track "Back Home"--recorded at home late at night in Gerard's studio. I, for one, wish the whole album would have been made of that kind of music. Rating: ***1/2 [$21.99]
*NEW* SEAMUS GLACKIN & AL.: CROSSROADS CEILI (Chart). It seems that the Glackin brothers specialize in performing under a veil of anonimity. After "Na Connery," here comes "Crossroads Ceili." Barely a label and record number, no record notes, not a date--I don't even know if this is a recent release--or indication of who's involved... until you look on the CD itself: Seamus Glackin (fiddle), Brendan Begley (accordion), Michael O'Brien (flute), Mary Corcoran (piano), and Mick Gaynor (drums). No wonder it sounds so good, somewhere between the Templehouse Ceili Band (without banjo) and Beginish. Nice sets of tunes too. This "sleeper" is well worth picking up. Rating: ***1/2 [$21.99]
*NEW* GRAINNE HAMBLY: BETWEEN THE SHOWERS (Shamrock). Grainne, a former student of the famous Janet Harbison, is an excellent harp player who has been touring in the US not too long ago. Her recordings are not easy to come by, but I was able to secure a small supply. Grainne plays a few O'Carolan tunes here, but mostly dance tunes and slow airs, nicely arranged for harp solo. Just the thing for the holidays... Rating: ***1/2 [$16.99]
*NEW* EOGHAN MAC AOGAIN: THE CLARE HILLS (Suffering Duck). Lovely, straightforward flute and whistle playing with tasteful guitar/bouzouki accompaniments and the occasional participation of fiddle player Bernie Whelan, and one original song by Kerryman Batt O'Connor. Mac Aogain
especially enjoys performing slow airs, which show up on 8 of the 13 tracks. Rating: ***1/2 [$19.99]
*NEW* MAIGHREAD & TRIONA NI DHOMHNAILL: IDIR DHA SHOLAS (Hummingbird). If you like the singing of Maighread (who is in great form throughout) and Triona, you should find this recording enjoyable overall--although, at times, the accompaniments arranged by Donal Lunny have a disturbingly pop sound, while Triona's lush keyboards bring echoes of Nightnoise into the mix. But there are lovely moments, including Triona's reprise of "Banks of Claudy," with brother Michael on guitar and the arrangement they recorded 25 years ago on "Celtic Folkweave." Other guest musicians include Maire Breathnach, Sharon Shannon, John McSherry, and Laoise Kelly. Rating: *** [$22.99]
*NEW* FINOLA O'SIOCHRU: SEARC MO CHLEIBH - LOVE OF MY HEART (O'Suchru). Delightful sean-nos singing in Gaelic. Five of the 10 tracks have
instrumental accompaniment (Steve Cooney, Maire Breatnach, Brendan Begley), which Finola confesses having added for the sake of variety but not
without some trepidation. The result is quite successful, O'Siochru's voice remaining the star of the show. Full Gaelic texts are included. Rating: **** [$24.99]
*NEW* JOHN REGAN: LET DOWN THE BLADE (Beaumex). From Co. Sligo, John Regan is a fine B/C box player, but has had little exposure, having been featured only on a couple of Comhaltas tour LPs. This new CD should rectify the wrong, and I expect it will become part of the essential list for amateurs of Irish button box. Regan, who plays at a leisurely pace throughout, is joined by fiddle player Paddy Glackin on 5 of the 19 tracks--there are echoes there of other famous duets, O'Brien and Connolly, Burke and McGann... Many classic tunes, and quite a few lesser known ones that one always rediscovers with pleasure. Solid piano accompaniment by Mary Corcoran. Rating: **** [$21.99]
*NEW* KEVIN ROWSOME: THE ROWSOME TRADITION (Kelero). Grandson of Leo (the King of the Pipers) and son of Leon, Kevin Rowsome is a past Oireachtas winner (1991) and a masterful piper in his own right. The CD consists of 12 tracks by Kevin followed by 6 additional tracks of archive recordings by Leo and Liam. Kevin Rowsome plays pipes pitched in C, C#, and D, and is joined by Lorraine Hickey (fiddle), Pat Marsh (bouzouki), and others.
Rating: **** [$23.99]
--- OTHER CURRENT FAVORITES ---
BOB ABRAMS: A FOOL'S ADVICE (Melodeon Music). A delightful album featuring Abrams on box and other New England musicians playing Irish traditional music in most convincing manner. Rating: *** [$15.99]
THE BRIDGE CEILI BAND: SPARKS ON FLAGS (Clo Iar-Chonnachta). A recent recording by the several-time and current All-Ireland champion, one of the
better recordings in this genre. Rating: *** [$19.99]
CIAN: THREE SHOUTS FROM A HILL (Cian). High-powered playing on concertina and flute, with guitar and bodhran accompaniment. Rating: **** [$21.99]
SEAMUS CREAGH & AIDAN COFFEY (Ossian). Seamus Creagh, of Daly and Creagh (1977) fame, has found another worthy accomplice in Aidan Coffey,
previously the box player with De Dannan. Lovely stuff. Rating: ***1/2 [$21.99]
DERVISH: MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT (Whirling). Not the best Dervish album out there, but not a disaster by any means, these guys are too good. A transitional album by one of the best Irish bands today, still well worth a listen. Rating: *** [$21.99]
LIZ DOHERTY: LAST ORDERS (Foot Stompin'). Impressive fiddling, foot-stomping music, and lots of obscure tunes for the repertoire hungry from the young fiddle player from Buncrana, Co. Donegal, and founding member of the group Nomos who now performs with the all-woman band the Bumblebees.
Rating: *** [$21.99]
MICK FLYNN: A SINGER'S DOZEN (Green Island). Amateurs of traditional singing should be interested in this recording of West Clare sean-nos singer Mick Flynn. While all the songs are in English and some of them, like "My Lagan Love," are from the drawing room tradition, Flynn's unique vocal style --which has been compared to the sound of the uilleann pipes--and strong delivery have the unmistakable sound of sean-nos singing. Rating: ***1/2 [$19.99]
PATTY FURLONG: TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC ON BUTTON ACCORDION (Furlong). A nice debut CD by this New York box player who was one of the original 1985 "Cherish the Ladies." She is joined by no less than Benedict Koehler (pipes), Brendan Dolan (flute, piano), Fiona Doherty (fiddle), etc. Rating:
***1/2 [$15.99]
BENNY McCARTHY & AL.: RATTLE THE BOARDS. McCarthy, also with the band Danu, has a great touch on the box and it is definitely his playing which makes this album. Rating *** [$23.99]
ANDREW MACNAMARA: DAWN (MacNamara). A lovely album by the accordion player from Tulla, Co. Clare, formerly a member of the Tulla Ceili Band, then of Skylark. MacNamara has a nice way with the tunes, finding lots of nice twists without falling into gimmickry. Rating: *** [$19.99]
COLIN NEA: THE PURE BOX (CMR). For amateurs of B/C accordion playing at its best. Colin Nea is from Co. Westmeath and has two All-Ireland Senior titles to his credit (1993-4). It should be no surprise that Nea cites the late Paddy O'Brien of Co. Tipperary as a major influence, and you'll hear it too.
Rating: **** [$19.99]
JIMMY NOONAN & FRIENDS: THE CLARE CONNECTION (Noonan). Lovely playing on flute and whistle, with help from his friends from the Boston Irish music scene. Nice selection of familiar and not-so-familiar tunes, and a few good songs too. Rating: *** [$16.99]
NORTH CREGG: ... AND THEY DANCED ALL NIGHT (Magnetic Music). This band plays some very energetic dance music, mixed in with contemporary songs which sound a bit out of place. Still these guys can make tunes move. Rating: ***1/2 [$21.99]
MIKE & MARY RAFFERTY: THE OLD FIRESIDE MUSIC (Larraga). A most enjoyable recording of traditional music from East Co. Galway, by two of its best contemporary representatives. Rating: **** [$16.99]
MICHAEL TUBRIDY: THE EAGLE'S WHISTLE (Claddagh). Classic "pure drop" 1978 album by the Clare flute, whistle, and concertina player, recently reissued on CD. Rating: ***1/2 [$19.99]
VARIOUS: THE MOUNTAIN ROAD - TUNES POPULAR IN SOUTH SLIGO. A great new production from the Coleman Heritage Center in Gurteen, Co. Sligo. Pure drop music by such renowned "Coleman Country" players as Peter Horan, Philip Duffy, P.J. Hernon, Deirdre Collis, Paddy Ryan, Seamus Quinn, Colm
O'Donnell (see also his solo album), and many more. Thirty tracks of great Sligo music, with occasional piano accompaniments. A companion book is also
available and I will be selling either the CD or the book & CD set. Rating: **** [CD $19.99, book + CD $38.95]
VARIOUS: A NEW DAWN - UILLEANN PIPING, ANOTHER GENERATION (NPU). A collection of recordings by brilliant young pipers. The playing,
unaccompanied throughout, is of the highest caliber, and the diversity of styles and timbres is sure to keep the listener's attention. An outstanding new CD for lovers of Irish piping. Rating: **** [$21.99]
JOHN VESEY: SLIGO FIDDLER. A treasure of a 2-CD set, compiled from private recordings of the great Ballincurry fiddle player who lived in Philadelphia
and made an LP for Shanachie in the 1970s. Rating: ***1/2 [$26.99]
Copyright Philippe Varlet 2002
