Hornpipe Magazine Irish Music Reviews Vol. 6

Kevin Burke & Ged Foley Storytellin' Strings

The excitement of being in the presence of famous players manifests itself in ticket sales, press releases and music nirvana. Then there is that personal connection between the musician and the listener as heard on a CD in the confines of a headset on a bright or especially moody day. When the music feels perfect, the mind fabricates a tacit connection that remains long after the music stops. Intoxicating melodies dictate sensations of love and fancy. And so it is when the likes of Kevin Burke and Ged Foley work fiddle and guitar magic on any stage, as recently enjoyed outdoors at the annual Austin Celtic Festival in Austin, Texas.

Seeing legends Kevin Burke and Ged Foley in person wipes the slate clean of preconceived notions. The ticket holder is wrapped in a whole new experience. The duo's personal kitchen session style needs only a few chairs and a microphone. The smaller the venue the better the show.

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Volume 6, Issue 5

Irish Seasonal CD Gifts Review
David Armstrong

'Tis the time of year when it's better to give than to get, right? Giving is also more challenging than receiving. You want to offer an appropriate, memorable gift, one not too expensive. A tall order indeed! Never fear, help is at hand. Recommendations follow that are sure to satisfy those hard to shop for loved ones. If you cannot find your needs in this column, just consult other Hornpipe issues for more musical gift ideas.

Oisin Mac Diarmada's solo cd, ar am bhfidil, is a collection of Irish fiddle music from Sligo. In the tradition of masters as Kevin Burke and Paddy Ryan, Mac Diarmada's playing displays technical mastery, a full-bodied tone and a distinctive personal style which respects the tunes while making the music his own.

This is a spectacular first cd. I was especially impressed with the solo pieces Larry Mcdonagh's / Cock up and The Maids of Mount Kiscol / Johnny Henry's. These are solo meditations on fiddle and perfect for late night listening: subtle, powerful, yet somehow restful. A pleasant surprise is Track 4, The Flannel Jacket / The Maid That Dare Not Tell. The tune is quite a departure from typical fiddler presentations. This joyful, bouncy cut features Mac Diarmada on whistle with Tristan Rosenstock on bodhran.

One final note: Oisin Mac Diarmada worked hard to document the provenance and pedigree of this music. The result? A treasure trove for legions of session musicians who want to learn previously unheard tunes (or finally realize what they have been playing by ear all these years!)

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Other cds reviewed in this article include:

Great Big Sea / Something Beautiful
Danny O'Connell / Green Fields of the Valley
Black 47 / Trouble in the Land
Liz Carroll / Lake Effect
Celtic Spring / At the Source
Great Big Sea / Play
Dessie O'Lalloran / The Pound Road
Karen Matheson / A Time to Fall
Patrick Street / Street Life
Téada / Téada

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Volume 6, Issue 5

Irish dance music is linked in a special way to dance performance. To understand both is an achievement. To reach a high standard in the execution of both is exceptional. When this happens we witness a person who has developed a rare talent from the gift he or she has been given. Yes, every gift needs to be appreciated. It requires understanding, practice, patience and determination to succeed.

There are numerous examples of exceptional musicians who were also dancers. The Bradley Brothers and Colm Keogh are two that immediately come to mind. Sometimes however we come across a person with greater depth in this linkage. One such person is Dean Crouch from Essex in England.

Dean is 14 years old and during the short period of his life to date he has been a high achiever. A short histography of his dancing and music career shows what makes Dean a special talent for a person of his age.

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Volume 6, Issue 4

A trilogy of Irish music tradition:
Gordon Shaffer, ambassador of Irish Culture

The empty dance hall at the feis competition was sparsely illuminated. The silence broken by an occasional volunteer making last minute adjustments to the make-shift number stand that hails throngs of dancers to position. A stately looking man with silver hair, jacket and tie walked across the dance floor with a brisk cadence toward the musicians' area. Moments later, a one-handed light melody from the keyboard turned my eye again to the curious man. He stopped, picked up his accordion and adjusted the straps. He treated his instrument as if it were a child, and for one to walk by without acknowledgement would seem discourteous. Gordon Shaffer was that accordion player.

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Volume 6, Issue 2

Irish Dance Music CDs
by Bill Bennett

Speeds: Each dance has an official speed set by the Irish Dance Commission. For the soft-shoe dances, its generally 113 beats per minute. Where a CD includes beginner or easy versions, they're generally a little faster. More advanced dancers use slower music to give them time for more intricate steps. An album may include light jigs and single jigs only at a faster tempo.

Let's Dance 2 and 3
Christopher McGrory & Orfhalaith Ni Bhriain

Zesty accordion and keyboard albums, either of them a very good all-around practice and show CD. Both include reels, light jigs, slip jigs at two speeds, single jigs, treble jigs at both speeds and hornpipes at both speeds. Number 2 includes the four "old" trad sets and one of the "new" ones, "King of the Fairies". Number 3 includes six of the newly adopted nontrad sets.

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Volume 6, Issue 2

Texas Musicians Selected for 2004 All-Ireland Competition

Three central Texas Irish musicians qualified for the 2004 All-Ireland Competition held in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Over 4,000 musicians take part in competitions for all traditional instruments, dance and language. The overall attendance, last year, was in excess of 250,000 people.

First and Second place winners in the US Midwest Fleadh Cheoil qualify to compete in Ireland. Although open to all types of competitors the Midwest games are aimed at those willing to travel to the "Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann." This year, two Austinites and a resident of Waco, will be among the competitors at the All Ireland thanks to their winning scores this weekend in Ohio.