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JOANIE MADDEN, BRIAN CONWAY, BILLY McCOMISKEY AND BRENDAN DOLAN - Pride of New York

JOANIE MADDEN, BRIAN CONWAY, BILLY McCOMISKEY AND BRENDAN DOLAN
Pride of New York
Compass Records 4522

Sometimes it is easy for those of us on the Eastern side of the Atlantic to forget (or not even be aware of) the vast amount of Irish music that is being nurtured and played in America, but albums like this will go a long way towards correcting these misapprehensions. On the basis of this release, Irish-American music is better placed than ever to be recognised as a deep well of the tradition from which many are drinking fully.

This release brings together the awesome talents of the well-respected musicians Joanie Madden on flute and whistle; Brian Conway, fiddle; Billy McComiskey, button box; and Brendan Dolan, piano. Whilst any one of them on their own could keep an audience rapt for hours, the groupwork here is spellbinding. Ever respectful of each other’s contribution to the overall sound, they show their mastery of the tunes in a way that is both technically brilliant and emotionally charged.

The selection of tunes is a canny blend of session favourites and a few lesser-known ones, but the overall impression is of a bunch of friends playing what they like just for the sheer fun of it.  The drive and verve is infectious, so that the listener feels like joining in.

These are true carriers of the traditions that they love, combining a total respect for the material with an absolute understanding of how best to interpret it and present it to a modern world. The engineering and production also demonstrate a fine feeling for how to get things just right.

New York certainly has a lot to be proud of!

Gordon Potter

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This album was reviewed in Issue 85 of The Living Tradition magazine.