Marianne Green (with Andy Irvine) - Dear Irish Boy
Marianne Green’s debut album with Andy Irvine, “Dear Irish Boy”, presents traditional Irish songs from Ulster and especially from Co. Down. Of the 12 tracks on the album, two are written and composed by Marianne Green herself and one by her collaborator and producer, Martin O'Hare. As well as songs in English there are two songs in Gaelic, also from the northern tradition. Co-producing and playing on the album is Andy Irvine, who is an icon in Irish music. He is particularly known to be one of the most innovative forces encapsulating the essence of tradition while adding new time signatures and chords.
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Fidil - 3
A three piece fiddle extravaganza from Donegal, this second CD from Fidil is a treat for all lovers of Irish fiddle music. Although firmly based in the traditional playing of their native Donegal, Fidil have managed to create a new and exciting sound, full of imagination and clever use of rhythm, counterpoint and harmony. Without the need for any other accompaniment, Ciaran O’Maonaigh, Aidan O’Donnell and Damien McGeehan intuitively weave their way through some well known tunes, with great skill, obvious passion for the music and more than a hint of pizzaz!!
Guidewires - Live
Hotly tipped to be one of the biggest new releases of the year is “Live” the debut album from Guidewires.
The all star line up features the concertina virtuoso, Padraig Rynne, the renowned Tola Custy on fiddle, Breton flute player Sylvain Barou, Karol Lynch on bouzouki, and Paul McSherry, guitar player extraordinaire! Between them, these five stalwarts of the music scene have come up with a live recording that is charged with energy and excitement.
With four of the band hailing from Ireland, there is a strong Irish feel to the recording. But the Breton influence of Sylvain Barou is obvious, and the band also draw material from other eastern European countries. Mix that with some of their own tunes and a handful of offerings from the likes of Donal Lunny and Brian Finnegan, and you get an exciting combination of styles and sounds. “Although it might not be the single malt whisky that the purists demand, this enchanting cocktail of influences, with a solid traditional base, heralds the arrival of a top notch combo, who appear very much at ease with their role in the scheme of things.” (Gerry Quinn, Irish Examiner). With comparisons already being made to the likes of Lunasa, Danu, Flook and Nomos, it’s no wonder this band are being tipped to be the next big thing!
Guidewires have already toured extensively in Europe and the USA.
Buy the CD at The Listening Post