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REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk
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Michael McGoldrick and John McSherry - At First Light- VERTCD061 | ||||
Will the real Michael McGoldrick please stand up or, at least, stand still long enough for us to get a fix on him? I first encountered the Manchester piper and flautist in the original incarnation of local Irish folk-rockers Toss The Feathers. Then there was Lunasa, jointly founded with his compatriot on this CD, from which both moved on to pursue other projects McSherry to join Donal Lunnys Coolfin and McGoldrick to work with Capercaillie. There were the memorable Manchester appearances with Yates/McGill and the Afro Celt Sound System. The Michael McGoldrick Band had the audience shouting for more at this years Cambridge Festival. The man features on any number of other artists CDs, most recently with Dezi Donnelly on Karan Caseys second solo album (like At First Light, recorded at Glasgows Secret Music); and, when hes home, youre quite likely to run across him at a session somewhere in his native city. McGoldrick and John McSherry have been playing together in sessions since the early 90s, and it shows in the remarkable musical empathy which characterises At First Light. Theyre joined by Dezi Donnelly, Manus Lunny and Ed Boyd (not forgetting Paul McSherry and Andrew White on guitars, Aidan ORourke on fiddle, Ewen Vernal on double bass and Donald Shaw on keyboards) for a mixture of traditional tunes from Ireland and Brittany, together with some new material. The musicianship is, as you might expect, quite stunning; even if you feel that a little of the average Irish session goes a long way, youll marvel at the tightness of these performances. Production is by McGoldrick, McSherry and Shaw, and its apparent that they can do as effective a job behind the glass as in front of the mics. Its unlikely youll come across a finer CD in the genre this year. Dave Tuxford
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