REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

 LIAM KENNEALLY, ARTHUR BARHAM & VINNIE BOURKE - Tunes For The Wetlands
Irish Peatlands Conservation Council CppD101

The traditional fiddle of Liam Kenneally is well known in the Mizen area of West Cork , and this varied CD of tunes, traditional & original is long overdue! It was put together 'with the Wetlands of Ireland in mind'. I quote the notes, which are brief, but illustrated by lovely colour shots of the wetlands around Schull in West Cork . All proceeds go to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, and the music is original and often quirky! Ably assisted by Arthur Barham on guitar and Vinnie Bourke on mandocello, Liam's mellow fiddle is best heard on the traditional hornpipe, the 'Kilnamona' and also the lovely 'Queen of the May', while the 'Reels for Reeds’ (!) set contains an unusual slow version of  'Paddy Fahys', and concludes with an up-tempo 'Moving Bog' - no way could this one be left out! There are several Kenneally originals, notably the 'Bog Cotton Waltz' and the quirky 'Asphodel' polka, while synthesiser sound effects of the wild Mizen gales are all too realistic and reminiscent to a former resident!

These days there are oceans of Irish music available, but perhaps surprisingly to outsiders, little from the remote Mizen area, but with that area's high percentage of 'blow-ins' (incomers to you) this is as traditional as it gets, and there's certainly plenty of variety.

It's a good cause too - the Celtic Tiger has brought many benefits but to help save the Irish boglands from development and the ravages of Bord na Mona, you can get this CD from IPCC at e.bogs@ipcc.ie, and learn some new tunes into the bargain. Seems fair enough to me!

Jim Bainbridge