DÓNAL O’CONNOR, JOHN MCSHERRY, SEÁN ÓG GRAHAM - Ulaid
Private Label JDS001
This trio release by Antrim based Dónal O’Connor (fiddles, keyboards) and John McSherry (uilleann pipes, low whistles), associates in the innovative and progressive Celtic group, At First Light, with Beoga’s ace accompanist Seán Óg Graham (guitars, bass, button accordion) comprises instrumental pieces and carefully assembled tune sets rooted in the Irish tradition (hence their title recalling the early ethnic group associated with Ulster and several cycles of Irish mythology) but with strong Celtic radicals stretching into Brittany (especially), Asturias and Sweden.
Combining historical source material from, for example, James Aird’s 1778 selection of “Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs adapted to the fife, violin or German-flute” and Oriel dance music from 1817 collected by fiddler Padraig Mac Gathain, with an array of their own contemporary compositions, the resultant music is a complex amalgam of waltzes, polkas, jigs and reels as terpsichorean treats. Tight, crisp, and imaginatively orchestrated with discerning dynamic variety, this is warmly expressive dance music rich in melody that repeatedly captivates with its entrancing effect.
Anyone smitten with At First Light’s Idir will keenly enjoy the similarly richly rhythmic pulse of the underpinning guitar work here over which sinuous and serpentine fiddle and pipes lines soar, interlock and gently joust. Embracing the stately elegance of dance promenading in places and yet extending elsewhere to elements of funky syncopation and fizzy gypsy jazz, this is an excellent piece of contemporary Celtic instrumental music, Irish at core but easily evoking too the hypnotic qualities of great Breton dance groups such as Skeduz and Skolvan.
www.ulaidmusic.com
Kevin T. Ward
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