HOLLY GERAGHTY & JONATHAN ROCHE: CEOLMHAR
Holly Geraghty: concertina, harp
Jonathan Roche: accordion
Emma O'Leary, Geraldine O'Callaghan: fiddle
Matt Griffin: guitar
Stephen Markham: piano
Shane Greene: keyboards
Aisling Fitzpatrick: cello
Dave Duffy: double bass
The combination of concertina and accordion is no longer as novel as it might have been when Tony MacMahon and Noel Hill produced their landmark "Knocknagree" album, but the two young musicians featured here put their own stamp on it by playing music that is not just tuneful (the meaning of the Gaelic word "ceolmhar") but also unexpectedly sweet. Perhaps it has to do with Geraghty and Roche's specific instruments, their manner of playing, or the way they were recorded, but we are far from the exuberant roar of MacMahon and Hill. Which is not to say that there is anything dull about this album either. Geraghty and Roche, who met and developed their musical partnership while studying at University College Cork, have both tremendous technical skill and great taste. The duets on concertina and accordion are strikingly tight, and Geraghty proves to be a dazzling harp player as well. In addition, Geraghty shows much promise as a composer of tunes in traditional form--eight of her compositions are recorded here. Her "Planxty Dermott Grogan" and "Dalgan Lebians" reel, for instance, are both wonderful tunes in their respective vein. The contribution of the accompanists shouldn't be overlooked, as both Griffin and Markham show great skill as well in matching the feel of the music conveyed by the lead players. A debut album that is as impressive as it is tuneful.
Rating: ****
Price: $19.99
