JOSIE NUGENT & BRIAN STAFFORD - The Caves Of Cong
Private Label JNBS001
This is a debut release from Josie and Brian, who are Belfast-based and play fiddles and uilleann pipes respectively. A native of County Clare, Josie is an All-Ireland champion who is also a respected teacher and community music leader. Brian is a Derry piper who also is an All-Ireland champion, with several musical credits, including Welsh band Yr Hwntws and the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève. Both Josie and Brian tutor with the prestigious Scoil Eigse.
This cracking CD largely draws on older manuscript collections of Irish music, playing many tune sets which are not so well remembered nowadays. But don’t let this fool you into thinking that this is a dry academic presentation - the selection fairly sparkles along, yet it is tightly controlled throughout, allowing the pace to suit the melodies, and also letting the listener appreciate the sheer quality of what’s on offer.
Josie also plays an octave violin which provides a stunning depth of tone, and a restored Stroh violin, allowing her subtle variations in timbre. Brian swaps between D and Bb pipes for a broader range. They are joined in parts by Edel McLaughlin on piano and piano accordion, Alan Burke on guitar and Mary Nugent on flute.
The overall effect is an extremely well-balanced selection, paced to perfection, which includes dance variations such as double jigs and hop jigs and other rarities on the modern scene. The repertoire is fresh and eclectic, the playing is just sublime. This is an album from which listeners, dancers and players can all take inspiration.
www.josiebrianmusic.info
Gordon Potter
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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 105 of The Living Tradition magazine. |