John Wynne & John McEvoy: Pride of the West

JOHN WYNNE & JOHN McEVOY: PRIDE OF THE WEST

John Wynne: D and Eb flutes

John McEvoy: fiddle

Arty McGlynn: guitar

Paddy McEvoy: piano

Right on the heels of the great flute-and-fiddle duet album recorded a couple of years ago by sister and brother Catherine and John McEvoy comes yet another outstanding flute-and-fiddle CD featuring again John McEvoy on fiddle, this time paired up with the masterful Co. Roscommon flute player John Wynne, who recorded previously solo as well as with the band Providence. In fact, don't be surprised if the sound of this one reminds you of the McEvoys' album, it is very much in the same vein, by two musicians at the top of their game and ideally matched stylistically. And they are very well recorded to boot. This is lovely music, sweet yet powerful, flowing yet vitally rhythmic. The album, the material for which was sourced in many instances from previous generations of musicians from the Roscommon-Sligo tradition, is full of captivating tunes and unusual settings, surprising turns of phrase and inventive variations. Listen to the musicians' take on "The Red-haired Girl," or the classic polka "My Love is But a Lassie." And discover yet more new compositions by John McEvoy and others. This is another one of those albums which is sure to inspire the tune-hungry to add a few pages to their personal tunebook--I know I'm working on mine already. The accompaniments, by guitar master McGlynn and by McEvoy's own son Paddy on piano, complement the music beautifully in a most understated fashion. Wonderful!

Rating: **** 1/2

Price: $24.99