Noel Hill: The Irish Concertina Two

NOEL HILL: THE IRISH CONCERTINA TWO

Noel Hill: concertina, bass

Liam O'Connor: fiddle

Alec Finn: bouzouki

Arty McGlynn: guitar

Steve Cooney: guitars

Brian McGrath: piano

There is no disputing the talent of Clare concertina player Noel Hill nor his influence on concertina playing in Ireland since the 1970s. His duet recordings, with fiddle player Tony Linnane for one, and the great "In Knocknagree" with accordion player Tony MacMahon, are among the best albums of Irish music ever made, and his previous solo effort, released in 1988, has left Irish concertina fans wanting for a worthy successor for some time now. Here it is, and, seventeen years later, Hill still sounds at the top of his game and still chooses his material most judiciously. What is different about this new recording is the accompaniment which, perhaps because of what the "greater audience" expects, is somewhat heavy at times--Hill even adds electric bass, which he plays himself, on one track. It is expertly played though, as one would expect from musicians like Alec Finn, Arty McGlynn, and Brian McGrath. The excellent young fiddle player Liam O'Connor joins Hill for several sparkling duets. Very well done indeed. (11/2005)

Rating: ****

Price: $21.99