At First Light

Michael McGoldrick | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B00005U8H9
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,094 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Two of today's top Celtic musicians join forces for an album that's both delightful and inventive. Mixing traditional and contemporary material with glorious ease, piper and whistler John McSherry and whistle and flute master Michael McGoldrick soar with the kind of breezy freshness that's all too often missing from Irish music these days. That's perhaps to be expected from people whose pedigrees include the likes of Lúnasa, Donal Lunny, and Afro Celt Sound System, but the pairing proves to be even more natural and joyful than anticipated, as the two push each other further on "Ornette's Trip to Belfast," for example, and caress the melody of "The Bloom of Youth." With some sprightly, sympathetic backing that never becomes overpowering, the two are left in the spotlight--and they shine perfectly. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their best work since first Lunasa CD, February 27, 2002

By 

Jeff Rich (King of Prussia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At First Light (Audio CD)

Nice 'reunion' CD from two founding members of Lunasa. That original self-titled release showed a promise I don't feel has been realized on the band's two follow ups. 'At First Light' marks a return to the musicianship of that original title from 1998. Emphasis is on pipes and flute, with a nice sound balance between the two. There is also tasteful accompaniment on guitar and bouzouki, with some keyboards and bass thrown in as well.

Where McGoldrick's CD 'Fused' took a more modern approach to the production, 'At First Light' is a return to a more traditional vein. The arrangements are often straightforward but very musical.

Hard to pick out favorite tracks, as this is a good consistent title. The two Mikes really get going on such numbers as Farewell to Connaught, Rolling Waves, John Nee's/Lucy Campbell's, and Michael O'Dwyer's. Mike McGoldrick has stand out flute moments on Willie Clancey's, Farewell to Whalley Range, and Phyllis's Birthday. Occasionally he will strap on the pipes as well and you get a rare double uilleann dose. There's also some nice low whistle work. In fact, as on the Lunasa CD, one of my favorite tracks features two of them at once (Donald Blue/Ornette's Trip to Belfast).

This is one of the more enjoyable U.S. released titles I've bought recently. And now that the first Lunasa CD is available here, I'd definitely recommend that as well. Great playing, overall good tunes and not so much of the jarring transitions in tune sets that the band has gotten into in later releases.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have ever enjoyed listening to tunes, buy this CD, February 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: At First Light (Audio CD)

This album carves itself a niche along side the most elite in the history of recorded Irish music. The energy, unsurpassed talent and creativity in this all instrumental CD will appeal to both staunch traddies as well as people just looking to dabble in "Celtic" music. From start to finish it holds up to even the closest scrutiny...and it's McGold-RICK.

5.0 out of 5 stars Encore, Encore!, March 30, 2010

By 

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: At First Light (Audio CD)

After obtaining several albums from early Lúnasa, I wanted more, and the dual of Michael McGoldrick, their flute, whistle, and uillean pipe man, with John McSherry, another piper, backed by other musicians on guitar, fiddle, bass, keyboards, and bouzouki, provide us a jaunty journey to Ireland. The happy spirit, the uplifting lilts, a popular style in arrangements, and professionalism throughout, give this album great joy. I am a sucker for the uilleann pipes anyway. Thus, if you delighted in the instrumentals and spunk of Lúnasa in its Green Linnet days, then you will certainly appreciate this recording. Nay, you will get up to dance and skip to it!