Folks, if you didn’t already know, the Catskills Irish Arts Week wrapped up over the weekend. I was there for the whole thing (I taught the intro banjo class and, among other things, I gave a long, detailed lecture one afternoon about the great Martin Mulvihill) and I have to tell you that this year was a very strong showing. The teaching staff was first rate, the turnout was super, and Paul Keating, the week’s Artistic Director, did an outstanding job of putting together a schedule of events that kept everyone engaged from morning till night.
It starts with the people teaching. Keating curated a truly outstanding group of teachers. The group over from Ireland, which included Sorcha Costello, Liz & Yvonne Kane, Nuala Kennedy, Diarmuid O Meachair, Danny O’Mahony, Brenda Castles, Mary Mac Namara, and John Blake, complemented a who’s-who of US and Canada-based musicians, including Brian Conway, Rose Conway Flanagan, Willie & Siobhan Kelly, Patrick Ourceau, Sean Quinn, Kevin Crawford, Larry Nugent, Pauline & Kathleen Conneely, Liz Hanley, Brendan Dolan, Don Meade, and many others.
A typical day would see classes in the morning and afternoon, lectures in the Shamrock House at 4 concerts at 7:30, and sessions & céilís at 10. Other things were on offer, too, like a tribute event honoring Jimmy Kelly and Mike McHale, CD launches (Nuala Kennedy and The Consequences, to name just two), and a rake of more informal get-togethers (hello Banjoheads!) that added to the week’s enrichment. Every person I spoke with loved their experience and said they came away with tunes, technical tips, and memories that will keep them going for the foreseeable future.
Hats off to CIAW’s Artistic Director Paul Keating for the excellent work and vision. The Arts Week was really great this year, which was wonderful to see. (Especially since so many people important to the week have been lost in the last year, including Reidin O’Flynn, Mike McHale, Jimmy Kelly, and Mick Moloney.) Check out what you missed over at catskillirishartsweek.com and consider CIAW in your plans for next year.
In the media player this week is the solo debut from legendary fiddle player Tony Linnane. “Ceol na Fidle,” which is now available on Raelach Records, is an absolute stunner and one of those fiddle records that I think will be long remembered by those in the know. It’s utterly brilliant.
For those who mightn’t know, Linnane’s a player’s player who has been involved with some legendary projects over the years. For example, in the 1970s he was a member of the fairly short-lived band Inchiquin with Noel Hill, Kieran Hanrahan and Tony Callanan. Shortly after that, though, he & Hill recorded the 100 percent immortal album “Noel Hill And Tony Linnane” together. And then he went on to appear on things like Christy Moore’s “The Iron Behind the Velvet,” on Planxty’s “The Woman I Loved so Well” and Kevin Crawford’s “In Good Company,” top albums all.
Now if these commercial projects weren’t enough to establish his bona fides, Linnane was also part of a legendary private recording of a 1992 session in Gort that also includes the likes of Crawford, Conor Tully, Páraic MacDonnchadha, Terence O’Reilly and Frank McGann. It’s a recording that shaped more than one traditional musician’s sensibility, but good luck finding it – it’s one of those things that gets passed around in the shadows.
“Ceol na Fidle” includes 14 tracks of fiddle-forward instrumental dance music, some of which include guest musicians. These folks include Catherine McHugh (piano), Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill (guitar), Mick Conneely (bouzouki), Mary Bergin (whistle), Éamon O'Riordan (flute), and Jim O'Connor (flute), each of whom contributes in reasonably limited but very high caliber fashion.
Musically, this album can’t be beat. The playing is nuanced and beautiful, the tune selection is outstanding (for those playing the home game, there are eight reel tracks, three jigs, two hornpipes, and a set dance), and the feel perfect. There’s nothing complicated happening with the arranging, Linnane and company are just leaning heavily on the inherent beauty of the music and I’m here for it. Normally, I might try to find something to say about a couple of tracks that I feel stand out from the others, but I’m hard pressed to find anything here that wouldn’t be considered a stand out. 10/10 start to finish.
So, that’s it. “Ceol na Fidle” is an album that’s at the heart of traditional music. Linnane is a model of phrasing and rhythm. He possesses an extremely refined taste, and is admired by all the top players. Good luck finding a better fiddle album than this – I expect it will prove be the best such album you’ll hear certainly this year, and maybe for years to come. If you love pure drop traditional music, this one’s a no-brainer. An album with real majesty and another classic from Raelach. Buy it now at Raelach Records.
