Gerry O'Connor: Journeyman

GERRY O'CONNOR: JOURNEYMAN

Gerry O'Connor: fiddle

Donal O'Connor: fiddle, piano

Martin Quinn: accordion

Paul McSherry: guitar

Martin O'Hare: bodhran

Neil MartinL cello

Not to be confused with his banjo-playing colleague, Gerry "fiddle" O'Connor is the Dundalk fiddle player who is best known for his playing with the groups Skylark and La Lugh. O'Connor is a superb player, and it is hard to believe that, in fact, this is his first solo album, and a welcome one it is. Having been raised musically in Dundalk, at the confluence of northern and western musical influences, as well as being a well-traveled musician, O'Connor has developed a diverse repertoire, convincingly bridging the stylistic gap between northern highlands and reels and standards of the Sligo repertoire, with Clare jigs thrown in for good measure. Playing with great energy and urgency on dance tunes, O'Connor is also capable of beautiful expression on slow airs like the gorgeous "Bessie the Beauty of Rossinure." Joining him here are his son Donal, who provides piano accompaniments and excellent second fiddle parts on a couple of tracks. The excellent Co. Armagh accordionist Martin Quinn, who recently recorded with banjo player Angelina Carberry, also pairs up with O'Connor on a lively track of highlands and reels, while Paul McSherry (guitar), Martin O'Hare (bodhran), and Neil Martin (cello) contribute to the top-notch accompaniments.

Rating: ****

Price: $19.99