John Gordon: The Humours of Glendart

JOHN GORDON: THE HUMOURS OF GLENDART

John Gordon: fiddle

Charlie Lennon: piano

By all accounts, Fermanagh-born fiddle player John Gordon (1928-2002) was a child prodigy, and on the evidence of the recordings assembled for this CD, continued to play at the highest level of skill in later years, yet never achieved wide recognition for it. Thanks to the Gordon family and to Ben and Charlie Lennon, both great admirers of Gordon's music, this recognition may come now. Charlie Lennon added piano accompaniments to the original recordings. Although he did this most tastefully, I can't say I'm a fan of the practice, especially in a case like this, where the original music is so strongly rhythmic and so well paced that the addition doesn't seem to serve any other purpose than to modernize it and make it sound like any other CD. A minor criticism, as the fact that these recordings are available at all is cause for celebration. (2005)

Rating: ****

Price: $19.99