Jim McGrath: Melodious Accord

JIM McGRATH: MELODIOUS ACCORD

Jim McGrath: accordion, melodeon

Gerry O'Donnell: flute

Cathal Hayden, Charlie Woods, Pat McManus: fiddles

Seamus Quinn: fiddle, piano

Robert Watt: Scottish pipes

Pat McManus, Ian Smith: guitars

Seamus O'Kane, Sean McGrath: bodhran

Ian Marshall: snare drum

James Blennerhassett: double bass

Jim McGrath is an excellent box player from Co. Fermanagh as well as a composer of great talent, judging from this album on which all the tunes recorded are McGrath originals. Because I usually listen to traditional music, I must confess that, when I have listened to a collection like this one in the past, I have felt somewhat disconnected from it, as if missing a point of reference, i.e., previously heard tunes. Not with this recording however, McGrath has a knack for writing tunes which are original and yet sound like they have been in the tradition for hundreds of years. McGrath was influenced by 78rpm recordings of early box players like Frank Quinn, and one can hear that unmistakable flavor of the music from the 1920s in his compositions. There is a lot of variety here, as McGrath seemingly tries to write pieces in all genres known to Irish musicians--there is even a foxtrot, dedicated to Fermanagh fiddle player Mick Hoy, and a piece in the style of a Breton march. Whatever the genre, McGrath's tunes have great appeal and spirit. This is "feel-good" music. And it doesn't hurt, of course, that McGrath is in great company to perform it. (10/2004).

Rating: ****

Price: $24.99