MICHAEL McGOLDRICK & JOHN McSHERRY: AT FIRST LIGHT
Michael McGoldrick: flute
John McSherry: uilleann pipes
Paul McSherry: guitar
Ewen Vernal: double bass
Imagine an early Lunasa without fiddle, and you'll have a fair idea of what this album sounds like. McGoldrick and McSherry are both technical monsters on their instruments, and can jazz up their playing at will--which they do in a restrained way here. Add a guitar (Paul McSherry) and double bass (Ewen Vernal), with a slick production by Capercaillie keyboardist Donal Shaw, and the illusion is complete. There is a good amount of traditional material, but plenty of newish tunes as well. McGoldrick and McSherry play very tight duets, perhaps too tight at times; when they excute variations note-for-note together, it starts to sound a little too rehearsed for traditional music. Still, this is quite a ride, but to be placed firmly in the "Nu-Trad" bin--or perhaps I should call it NYGFTM [Not Your GrandFather's Traditional Music].
Rating: *** 1/2
Price: $16.99
