MELODIC JOURNEYS. James Kelly. JKM 0147.This is a very straightforward traditional album by the Dublin fiddle player now resident in Miami. James plays completely unaccompanied, and the tunes are largely from Clare and Kerry. The pace is slow and dignified, and this is the first time James has recorded completely on his own.
I just found out about this CD. It’s on Claddagh and sounds very interesting. Has anyone listened to it?
Yes, I bought it directly from him through his web site (cheaper than ordering from overseas). http://www.jameskellymusic.com/
Come to think of it, I believe I learned of this album here on this web site …
djm
How could you miss that one? I was looking at it in the trad mus shop in Doolin. Never mind, I heard bits on the radio, nice. I went off buying his recording after the one that was completely bolloxed by the guitar player, the Ring sessions that was. loved his capel Street one, his playing of Casadh na nGheanna is far superior t ohow Sean keane tried t oimitate it on the Fire Aflame (using the same accompanist even as Kelly did, Noreen O Donohue)
So I’m kicking myself. I think I’ll get it, I don’t have enough solo fiddling CDs. =)
Thanks for the heads up guys, I’ve ordered his latter two albums from the site, and bearing Peter’s recommendation in mind, avoided the first one like the plague.
Solo fidding CDs are rare enough, and it sounds like I’ll enjoy these tremendously. I usually like CDs where I recognise a few tunes, and get introduced to a few more. There’s a good mix here.
I thoroughly enjoyed Capel street, I should mention there is a much earlierr one with his brother John Kelly and a few tracks with piper mick crehan. I don’t think that one is still available. there is, just for curiosity sake I suppose, a batch of recordings made in 1972 in the Delaney collection at the university of North Carolina, cost a fiver a tape or something liekthta, cheap. kelly in his mid teens, playing very nicely then too.
I was at a session durign the WIllie clancy week this year where all Kellys played a few tunes in honour of old john kelly, concertinaplayer and fiddler.
James Kelly was there, John Kelly and his children. There’s continuity of the tradition in that line for sure.
I got an email from the man himself after I ordered his CDs, he’s playing in Camden Town, London, on the 22nd October, and I rather suspect I will be in the audience, thanks to this thread!
Good for you, Martin.