Just got this as well. The playing just flows so nicely. I had, up until listening to this, been cultivating a rather tight, straightjacketed version of “The Frost Is All Over”, but now I think I might slow it down a little and let it all hang out instead.
Favorite tunes at the moment–“Teampall an Ghleanntain” and “Hickey’s.”
There’s some great Sliabh Luachra stuff on here…makes me really want to track down some recordings of Denis Murphy et al.
Speaking of which, does anyone know where to get a copy of Caoimhin’s solo CD?
So, I’ve been listening to this album a bit, but I haven’t had the leisure to really delve into it and listen intently. So it’s all a bit fuzzy still.
My fuzzy impressions: Great album. What strikes me most about it is the deep movement and relaxed groove. Everything seems to sit just right. Like well-tailored suit, you don’t notice how masterful it is because it all seems natural and unobtrusive. The sounds of the fiddle and the pipes blend well, although I must say there is so much more than the tone itself in the drones that they stand out a bit too much for my taste (The chanter in contrast seems thin or dry sounding). But I ultimately don’t care much, since it is how and what they play that is so amazingly wonderful. It struck me listening that the material is remarkable homogenous, or perhaps I should say economical, giving the CD a distinct feel, sort of the opposite of In Good Company, which has a little bit from every corner and for everyone.
Anyway, terrific stuff, and I’ve marked a few tunes for lifting.
I finally heard this album for the first time yesterday. It’s exquisitly beautiful. Very satisfying all round.
Yes, the drones are a wee bit loud. I don’t mind a bit. There’s nothing wrong in achieving a slightly distinctive sound. The chanter and fiddle blend beautifully and are never drowned out.
I thought that the drones were “grainy” compared to the silkiness of the rest of it, but for me it was a tasty bit of texture, like croutons in yer salad.
Right, a nice way to put it. Because of the strong Clifford/Murphy connection in particular, I felt at home straight away. The distinctive texture really appeals to me.
I think by definition drones should blend into the background of the music. But all this discussion about the drones on Kitty Lie Over shouldn’t take away from what an amazing and wonderful CD it is. I want more like it.
The CD is a must have. As soon as I got mine I was learning tune sets off it. Favorites are “Teampall an Ghleanntain”&“Hikeys”, and the “Fairy Reel” sandwich set. Everything is amazing Pipes, Whistles, Fiddle. You can totally feel the rythm in the tunes and ornaments they use. And thats how its sopposed to be.
I think there are two recordings of Dennis Murphy and Julia Clifford - bother and sister I think - anyway I have one of the recordings on cassette but the other so far seems to have escaped my collecting.
And you are spot on target about the Sliabh Luachra tradition as were Mrrs Reilly and O’Brian. I often think of the heart of Irtrad as comming out of that style - see Joe Cooley - Tulla Ceilidh Band and some of Micheal Coleman’s recordings.
Odd that there is mention of Ballinamuck - Silver Spear reel, the last track - for some time I have been trying to re create what I heard as a kid in that part of Ireland and so far have no sucess - though the Ennis connection is again proof of how rich these guys are in the real heart of the old tradition.
A closely related band would be the Mc Namaras of S Leitrim or perhaps the Lennons ? Anyway I don’t see any local stuff from that neck of the woods( surprised ) and I am surely the one to know about that. BTW Sean Mc Guire was a product of that tradition also, though in later that is not as obvious as in his earlier recordings. Still embellishment in that vicinity seems to be a competition to see who can do the most and still keep some kind of tune to it. Often I heard folks with so much embellishment that there was no tune left - don’t mention dance or rhythm, there wasn’t any.
A refreshing contrast - very local and distinctive - is the Cork/Kerry style where it is all about dancing, though listening to some records might trick a student into mishearing tunes; now that is dance music. Sure they play polkas, slides and other things while reels are rare BUT when they do play
a reel - another world.