JAMES CARTY - Hiding Daylight In Dark Corners
Racket Records RR014
James Carty is the son of renowned London-born but now Roscommon-based fiddler, John Carty. From a young age James was exposed to lots of music. While his father is an internationally renowned fiddle and banjo player, James is cutting his own path in the traditional music scene with his own distinctive style which he has developed having grown up listening to the recordings of the old Sligo masters - Michael Coleman, James Morrison and Paddy Killoran to name just three. Now based in London, the circle of migration reaching its conclusion, James has become one of the mainstays of the traditional music scene there.
His debut solo album delves into the rich Roscommon roots and covers classic favourites, contemporary compositions and some rarities. The playing is assured and full of character, accompanied by Brian McGrath’s piano and Francis Gafney’s guitar. This restrained combination allows for some quietly realised performances on tunes that have either permeated the Irish consciousness or are brand new. There are some sweet moments on The Chanters Song, The Bunch Of Green Rushes and All The Way To Sligo. The playing here is assured and also displays a rare innocence and quirkiness in the turns of phrase used to end the tracks. John Carty adds flute to Blessing’s Black Cow and John P.Carty’s flute joins James on The Duke Of Leinster and The London Lasses. The fiddle/flute tracks add a lovely Sligo-like touch, being highly rhythmic and vigorous. James has appeared on a couple of commercial recordings already, but this first solo album finds him centre stage - a finely tuned and distinctive player in his own right.
www.jamescartyfiddle.com
John O’Regan
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