CORDEEN - Musical Bridge
Private Label CDN001
Cordeen is a group comprising four of Ireland and Newfoundland's finest exponents of the button accordion, also some great vocalists. The title derives from the Newfoundland expression for the accordion, a phonetic of the Irish Gaelic word 'Cairdín'.
Benny McCarthy (Danú) and Conor Moriarty (All-Ireland Champion 2010) hail from historic counties Waterford and Kerry in Ireland. Billy Sutton (The Fables) and Graham Wells (ex-The Irish Descendants) are from Harbour Grace and St.Johns in Newfoundland. The cultural connection between Ireland and Newfoundland is at the musical heart of Cordeen, everything from the lively foot tapping tunes to heartfelt songs and airs - a plentiful gabhail of which can be found on Cordeen’s first album, Musical Bridge.
Each of the band’s members brings a unique style of playing deeply influenced by the rhythms of their towns and villages. This is apparent in how the musicians interplay with one another to create music that is evocative and highly effective in delivery. The combined alchemy is obvious in instrumental sets where the Irish and Newfoundland traditions join one another in harmony, as on The Harvest Home / The Fisherman’s Favourite and Slide Do Caoimhin. The vocal aspect is highly featured too in Tickle Cove Pond and Mickey Relligan’s Pup, while Hurricane Of Reels mentions every reel worth mentioning. The ensemble playing is sharp, together, intertwined and well-integrated. There is life and soul in this music played with a heart and spirit that is immediately noticeable and highly attractive. Musical Bridge balances the twin traditions of Ireland and Newfoundland in a powerfully tangible manner and a highly enjoyable one also.
www.cordeen.com
John O’Regan
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Many CDs we review are available from The Listening Post. Check to see if this CD is available. The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 123 of The Living Tradition magazine. |