Maeve Donnelly: Maeve Donnelly

MAEVE DONNELLY

Maeve Donnelly: fiddle, viola

Peadar O'Loughlin: flute

Aidan Donnelly: banjo

Declan Donnelly: fiddle

Mal Donnelly: accordion

Dermot Byrne: accordion

Steve Cooney: guitar

Geraldine Cotter: piano

Adele O'Dwyer: cello

Ever since East Galway fiddle player Maeve Donnelly came to the US for the 1976 Bicentennial celebration and recorded a few tracks on the album "Sailing Into Walpole's Marsh," she has had devoted fans who have ben waiting patiently for this very album. Donnelly recorded in the meantime on several albums, in particular with the band Moving Cloud, but this is in fact her first solo offering, and it was definitely worth waiting for. Donnelly's precise and intense playing, her crisp ornamentation and almost ferocious attack at times, are all on display in one cracking set of tunes after another. Music is obviously a Donnelly family affair, for the track where she is joined by her brothers on accordion, banjo, and fiddle, is among the best here. If that weren't enough, appearing as guest musicians are the great Clare flute (he also plays fiddle) player Peadar O'Loughlin and Altan's box virtuoso Dermot Byrne. Excellent accompaniments on piano and/or guitar, with a touch of cello here and there, round up the sound nicely.

Rating: *** 1/2

Price: $19.99