Padraic O'Reilly: Down the Ivory Stairs

PADRAIC O'REILLY: DOWN THE IVORY STAIRS

Padraic O'Reilly: piano

Liam O'Connor, Carmel O'Dea: fiddles

Garry Shannon, Ronan Ryan: flutes

Damien O'Reilly: accordion

John Blake: guitar, saxophone

Tristan Rosenstock: bodhran

Like for the guitar and the bouzouki, the piano's place among the instruments used by Irish musicians is one which has been acquired fairly recently and which remains controversial. Although the piano is primarily used as an accompaniment instrument, there have been a few players, the great Eleanor Kane Neary of Chicago for instance, who over the years have exploited its melodic possibilities. O'Reilly set out to do just that with an entire album of traditional tunes played on the piano, and the result is impressive, demonstrating the performer's thorough familiarity with the traditional idiom as well as his mastery of the keyboard. His playing is reminiscent of Micheal O'Suilleabhain's, but with a more straightforward approach to the music, more in keeping with the overall traditional style. Excellent musicians like Garry Shannon on flute, fiddle players Liam O'Connor and Carmel O'Dea, and Padraic's brother Damien on accordion, contribute to making this a thoroughly enjoyable album.

Rating: ****

Price: $19.99