Various Artists, Fiddle Fair 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Fiddle Fair 2 Red Hat Music RHMCD02

Every year in May the 'Fiddle Faithful' gather in Declan McCarthy's tiny bar in the village of Baltimore, West Cork, to make some of the finest fiddle music on the planet for the lucky 100-or-so guests who have managed to acquire a ticket. This CD represents the highlights of the 2003 festival and from the opening strains of Calico by Songdogs to the fading notes of Long Nights on the Misty Moor by Liz Carroll and Paul Meehan, it is simply some of the best playing you will hear anywhere! The likes of Altan and Paul Brady make an appearance but, frankly, after a while it doesn't seem to matter much who is playing ('though I have to confess a soft spot for the 'old timey' numbers from the Foghorn String Band). If you struggle to find this CD you could try making your way to Declan McCarthy's Bar, or maybe send an email to info@redhatmusic.com. There's not much more I can say, really, except..."How on earth do I get hold of a ticket for next year's festival?"

Phil Thomas

Buy this CD online from The Listening Post
The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 59 of The Living Tradition magazine.