Celtic Fiddle Festival: Encore [LIVE]

Kevin Burke (Celtic), Christian LeMaitre, Celtic Fiddle Festival, Johnny Cunningham

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 1998)
• Original Release Date: March 17, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Green Linnet
• ASIN: B000006CF9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,790 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Celtic Fiddle Festival is composed of virtuoso fiddlers Kevin Burke (Ireland), Johnny Cunningham (Scotland), and Christian LeMaitre (Brittany). With guitarist Soig Siberil, this trio is an international fiddle festival unto itself. Recorded live on tour in the U.K. in 1997, Encore is the sequel to the group's splendid 1993 debut album. The musicians are showcased individually, with Burke (a cofounder of the Bothy Band, now a member of the Irish all-star band Patrick Street) delivering silky reels and slipjigs, Cunningham (a cofounder of Silly Wizard) playing precise strathspeys and lovely airs, and LeMaitre focusing on the comparatively exotic Celtic melodies of northwest France. But it's when they all come together, as on a medley of "Farewell to Ireland" and "Foxhunter's Reel," that the sparks really start to fly. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The original Celtic Fiddles continue to dazzle., July 27, 1998

By A Customer

These three fiddlers represent different fiddling traditions, but they share a passion for their music and a good deal of showmanship and humor. This is all evident on the 'Encore' CD of the Celtic Fiddle Festival. My preference is for Irish fiddling, so I shall concentrate on the work of Kevin Burke. Mr. Burke's individual style is highly informed by several local Irish styles, but his sound is unique. He slides effortlessly from the very popular jig 'Ward's Favorite' into a set of signature reels, familiar to those who have delighted in his concerts over the years - although one never tires of them. Later, he offers some of his own compositions, jigs alternately lively and atmospheric: 'Up In The Air', 'Across the Black River' and'All In Good Time'. Last, the set pairing the familiar reels 'Farewell to Erin' and 'The Foxhunter' begins in slow hornpipe tempo and metamorphoses into the reel - daring, but captivating. Mr. Burke's contributions shine. Johnny Cunningham ! is the ultimate Scottish fiddler/showman. Missing from the recording is his trademark deprecating humor, but his fiddling comes through intact. He offers a lovely 'Hector the Hero', a staple of the Scottish and Cape Breton traditions. Later, his whirlwind reel set includes a splendid new composition, 'Hurricane Bob'. I find Christian LeMaitre's sets on this CD to be quite fine, but they replicate some of the material in the earlier concerts and CD. He is a master of the Breton tradition, however, and his technique is always thrilling.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious collaboration of three singular talents., April 25, 1998

By A Customer

Three of celtic music's best fiddlers meet and meld their unique talents on this wonderful new live album. Kevin Burke of Ireland, Christian LeMaitre from Brittany, and Scotland's Johnny Cunningham perform a selection of lovely slow airs, mind boggling fast tunes, and nearly everything else in between. Each artist is given a chance to play a solo set of their particular regional favorites, then join together in other tunes showing an intricate yet clean combination of styles. The talented guitar work of Soig Siberil adds to the music without detracting from that of the fiddles. A truly great album from some of the best fiddlers to be heard today.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great talent., May 23, 2002

By	jk "jeffgpz550" (Dover, NH United States) - See all my reviews

Three of the best fiddle players in the world (to bad Peter Knight does not play with them). If you want to hear talent buy it.