Well, folks, here we are — it’s only the middle of January and I have an absolute gem in the media yoke that I’m excited to tell you about. “Here It Is” is the recently released album by fiddle player James Cullinan. It consists of 14 tracks of breathtakingly gorgeous pure drop fiddle music that will immediately remind you of the power and beauty inherent in the Irish tradition. If this sounds up your alley, this is an album for you.
Although born in Kilnamona, Co. Clare, Cullinan and his wife Carol have, for the last 30 years, resided in nearby Doolin, where they run Cullinan’s Restaurant and Guesthouse. There, Cullinan is a beloved member of the musical community and he’s had some notable moments over the years, including as a member of Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin’s group the Dísirt Tola Band and “Happy to Meet,” the album he and his wife made in 2002 with the legendary flute player P. J. Crotty. Cullinan was also a guest artist on Kevin Crawford’s album “In Good Company.” However, because this standout fiddler hasn’t really put his music “out there” in a meaningful or consistent way, you’d be forgiven for not knowing more about him.
Before I say too much more about Cullinan’s music, I should note the album’s guests, because their participation says quite a bit. Cullinan’s wife Carol, for example, is the featured piano player for half the album and you can sense the synergy between them making her role here important to the album’s success. But the album also sports an eye-popping array of other notables, including Steve Cooney (guitar), Mick Conneely (bouzouki), and Kevin Crawford (bodhrán), each of whom appears on multiple tracks and makes important contributions. I think their extensive involvement here as “supporting cast” makes a real statement about the well placed esteem they have for Cullinan and his music.
What Cullinan and Co. have given us here is simply outstanding. Cullinan’s fiddle playing is relaxed, elegant and full of lift, which makes this album an extremely easy one to enjoy. The grace in his playing is only accentuated by the tune selection, which, like everything here, is first class. Every track has something to recommend it and as I listen one that immediately jumps out is “The Peeler’s Pocket / …,” a set of reels that begins with Cullinan fiddling alone. His tone is robust and full of spirit and becomes even sweeter when the piano and bouzouki enter to elevate the sound.
I love the jig tracks “Charlie Mulvihill’s / …” and “Paddy Fahy’s,” both of which have great life and are lovely interpretations of beloved favorites. Just wonderful music. The hornpipe tracks “Galway Bay / …” and “Caisleán an Óir / …” also ring long in my ears. Both feature Cooney’s impressive guitar playing (his playing on the latter track being particularly otherworldly), and it mixes so nicely with the subtle nuance in Cullinan’s own work.
The album’s final track, “The Fiddler Mick Hoy / …,” which includes his wife, his daughter Caoimhe (concertina), his niece Noelle (concertina), and his brother Cyril (banjo), is a delightful way to close the album. The only track to include additional melody players, it makes a lovely statement about the music inherent in Cullinan’s family.
“Here It Is” is a superb recording of a brilliant musician and traditional music fans should consider it a must have. Cullinan’s playing is sublime and will reward close listening, but it’s also the sort of music that wraps around and envelops easily like a warm blanket. If you were a fan of an album like, say, Tony Linnane’s 2023 “Ceol na Fidle” (also on Raelach), you’ll absolutely dig this one – they’re very much cut from the same cloth — 100 percent highly recommended, run, don’t walk, to buy this one, which you can do by navigating over to Cullinan’s page on Bandcamp.
