Tim Collins: Dancing on Silver

TIM COLLINS: DANCING ON SILVER

Tim Collins: concertina

Brian McNamara: uilleann pipes

Claire Griffin: accordion

Alec Finn: bouzouki

Brian McGrath, Padraic O'Reilly: piano

Fionnuala Rooney: harp

Kevin Murphy: bodhran

A native of Co. Kerry with strong musical ties to Co. Clare--he plays with the famous Kilfenora Ceili Band--Tim Collins is a brilliant concertina player and this, his debut solo recording, can be counted as one of the best made on his chosen instrument, on par with those of the likes of Noel Hill and Micheal O'Raghallaigh. And although Collins' music could stand on its own any day, his being joined by musicians like Leitrim piper Brian McNamara, Collins' wife Claire Griffin on accordion, and accompanists of the caliber of Alec Finn, Brian McGrath and Padraic O'Reilly, adds an extra layer of icing on an already very rich cake. The musicianship is so high throughout that it is almost impossible to single out a favorite track. Still, Collins' duets, with McNamara on the medley of reels "Feeding the Birds" and with Griffin on another set of reels, are very special indeed, while the track performed on a loaned A-flat concertina sounds wild. Fabulous music.

Rating: **** 1/2

Price: $24.99