Customer Reviews

Celtic Fiddle Festival: Encore

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The three musicians, and the incredible force of the celtic spirit brought to life in this CD are the epitome of what is best in this genre: lively music, excellent musicianship, wonderful personalities and the haunting airs of all the Celtic nations with the marvelous variety of international traditional Celtic tunes. I would reccommend this group and any of their music to all celtophiles, and would also suggest it is worth a King's ransom to see the Celtic Fiddle Festival live onstage and THEN buy their music. Johnny is hilarious, yet a master fiddler.
LeMaitre and Burke are so well known and so diverse and enchanting, what can be said other than buy it and try it!