Johnny McCarthy: Solo Run

JOHNNY McCARTHY: SOLO RUN

Johnny McCarthy: accordion

Conor McCarthy: accordion

Anne Marie McCormack: fiddle

Mike Fitzgerald: fiddle

Alph Duggan: guitar

Terry Moorehead: guitar

Johnny McCarthy is a terrific accordion player from Ennis, Co. Clare, whose style of playing has all the subtlety associated with the music of that region--and not usually with the accordion. Somehow, McCarthy, with his sliding into the notes and his relaxed tempo (which incidentally makes this a great CD to learn from), makes it sound like we're listening to Bobby Casey or Paddy Canny on the fiddle. McCarthy is also a former hurling star, and this CD was an opportunity for him to combine his passion for both music and sport, which makes for beautiful music as well as very entertaining record notes. Alph Duggan, previously heard behind Tommy Peoples on "The Quiet Glen," accompanies expertly, while McCarthy's son Conor, himself an impressive player (see above), and his wife Anne Marie McCormack (fiddle), as well as Mike Fitzgerald (fiddle) make guest appearances. This "run" is a winner.

Rating: ****

Price: $18.99 Recommended