Hi guys,
I’m looking for IR-trad duet/solo CDs with little or no accompaniment, by good players who play with lovely nuances, to add to my next to-get list. Any instruments will do, but preferably not the piano/box accordion.
What I’m looking for is in the lines of Kevin Crehan’s “An Bhabog sa Bhadog”, John Creaven’s “The Story so far” and Catherine McEvoy’s “Trad flute music in Sligo-Roscommon style”. Basically great stylistic playing, no or very unobtrusive accompaniment (piano is fine). Not really into Martin Hayes although he and Dennis Cahill does fit the bill.
So far I’m probably getting the following for my mass order from one of those speciality online IRtrad CD shops:
Seamus Quinn/Gary Hastings - Slan le Loch Eirne: Stories to tell
Conal O’Grada - Top of the Coom
Paul McGrattan - The Frost is all over
Joe Ryan - Buachalin dreoite
What else?? I hope to hear all your feedback and recommendations. Thanks!
p.s. I recently found Davy Spillane and Kevin Glackin’s CD locally (which is a big deal when locally means Singapore)and it is much much better than I expected. No accompaniment at all, just fine playing, neat tight duets.
‘Two gentlemen of Clare music’ by Gerard Commane(concertina) and Joe Ryan(fiddle)is exactly what it says on the cover! I’ve recommended this album before,and i’ll do so again-it is absolutely brilliant,if 'trad.'is your thing -and it’s STILL brilliant,even if it’s not! These are two fantastic old style musicians,subtley supported by Eoinn O’Neill on bouzouki on some tracks.On the strength of this recording,i have purchased Joe Ryan’s album ‘An buachaill dreoite’ recorded in 1992.I only received it yesterday,so i have only listened to half a dozen tracks,but again,Joe delivers the goods! He is supported on some tracks by Jim MacArdle on guitar and autoharp.the material consists of reels,jigs,hornpipes,a couple of flings and mazurkas,and some slow airs-the tune ‘Ged a theid mi do m’leabaid’,which Joe got from the playing of 'The Battlefield band’is absolutely beautiful,stirring stuff! Well worth a listen i.m.h.o.
I recommend the new CD by Ronan Browne & Peader O’Loughlin - Touch me if you dare. Seriously good music: great selection of tunes and rock steady playing. Joe Ryan is one of the all time greats and he also has a record -I think only on tape at present- with Eddie Clarke on harmonica called Crossroads which is equally wonderful, it’s about 20 years old on the Green Linnet label.
If you want to hear good piano playing you should listen to Eileen O’Brien’s CD Newtown Bridge. Deirdre McSherry is an outstanding musician on the flute and her piano playing puts to rest the idea that the piano is not suited to Irish music.
Email John at Custy’s in Ennis at custysmusic.com to see what he recommends and if they have your choices in stock. Custy’s is one of the very best on-line shops and a great place to visit when you’re in Ennis.
About the Larry Nugent CD - it’s a great album but it’s about as far from a solo/duet recording without accompaniment as they come. If cello, dumbek, etc, etc don’t count as accompaniment I don’t know what does.
However, the track with Larry and Kevin Henry is EXACTLY what you’re looking for.
CHris