James Kelly has completed what is bound to be a classic record in traditional Irish music. I’ve been amongst the few who’ve been able to have a sneak listen, and this record is Brilliant in the truest sense of the word.
Here’s the site info
http://jameskellymusic.com/JK_Order.html
cheers
James Kelly kicks a@#! 
Any pipes on this recording, or solo fiddle?
Unless James has taken up the pipes, which I doubt, it is most likely fiddle. He is a mighty fiddler, and well worth listening to…what ever instrument you play.
He had a nice duet with Jimmy O’Brien Moran on “The Ring Sessions”–maybe there’s some more where that came from.
Seems the people want to know if James Kelly has done any albums with pipes. I’ve never heard it myself, but according to Paddy Keenan’s website, Paddy and James did an album together, called “James Kelly”
http://www.paddykeenan.com/discography.htm
As I said, I’ve never heard it, but I would only assume that it has pipes on it! I think I’ll look into acquiring the album myself…
Orbis, I think that is the 1997 recording (the middle CD on Kelly’s website) with Paddy as a supporting musician.
Paddy Keenan joined him for one track of three reels on the Capelhouse album “James Kelly”. The big deal about these albums is not piping. It is that James is the son of John Kelly, one of the last big names from the 1950s-60s for the old West of Ireland fiddle sound. You wouldn’t buy these albums looking for piping, but only if you have a taste for older fiddle styles.
djm
Edited to be less precise. 
Are not the Kellys from West Clare?
I am a long time student of James’ and a piper…NOT a fiddler. The idea of checking out James Kelly if you’re into “older fiddle styles” I hope would not be a put off. As a piper, I’ve taken many of his ideas and used them note for note on the pipes! Indeed Melodic Journey’s" is a solo CD. No pipes, no guitar, etc.
If you’re into real pure-drop traditional MUSIC, then James’ music will satisfy your soul. If you are looking for jazz/rock rhythms, blues inflected bends, bluegrass dablings then maybe check out Ileen Ivers (amongst a slue of other “modern” players).
James has spent more time with the likes of Willie Clancy and other great pipers than most people get to spend w. they’re favourite piper at tionols… Also keep in mind, it is because of John Kelly Sr. that we know what Johnny Doran sounded like!
The draoicht and richness that John Sr. had in is music is clearly evident in James’. Some CD’s are just cool to check out… others are a must-have because of their historical importance, and sheer virtuousity on all levels.
I’ll leave it at that.
enjoy!
Brazen, no argument about the quality of JKelly’s fiddling, or the worth of his album. I was pointing out to a previous poster who got excited about seeing Paddy Keenan’s name that the albums were fiddle albums, and not a much in the way of UP albums. If you post about a fiddle album on a UP forum you should expect mixed reactions.
djm
I have found that good old fiddle styles are an excellent means of inspiration for piping. I am a fiddler, and I am pleased that converting my fiddle repertoire to piping is a friendly transition.
No offense taken. I have years of experience of being misunderstood etc. on the UP forum. I listed James’ CD on this forum for the main reason that many pipers are ghettoized. They listen to only pipe music, play with other pipers, and/or solo. Some forget we play MUSIC on the pipes, do to the life encompassing nature of this instrument.
there’ll be clips on James’ site soon. I’ll anounce it when I hear more.
Piper or not, what must be remembered and cherished here is that James Kelly is not just a fiddler, but an absolutely amazing repository of style and technique and sound in Irish music on any instrument. His playing is redolent with the sounds of just about all the great fiddlers, pipers, flute players in memory: living, recorded, or otherwise. How can one play the pipes without listening to great fiddle players? There is perhaps no greater living archive of Irish music alive than James Kelly. So for God’s sake. buy his album, and support this great musician.
Kieran O’Hare
Sold. Kieran, I am also interested in collecting your CD, but it is hard to find. Can you direct me to the nearest vendor? If I had been quicker in the head, I would have purchased one from you back in February at the Florida Tionol…as well as one from Liz.