Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn

Gavin/Finn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000000DV6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,713 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Martin Wynne's/Austin Tierney's

2. Cup Of Tea

3. Peacock's Feather

4. Drowsy Maggie/Star Of Munster

5. Charles O'Connor

6. Jackson's

7. Pigeon On The Gate

8. Ryan's

9. The Bunch Of Green Rushes/Sean Frank

10. Murphy's

11. The Congress

12. Concert

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Vintage Irish Traditional Music Duet, September 28, 2005

By 

Michael (Placerville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn (Audio CD)

Frankie Gavin and Alec Fin provide a vintage 1977 duet of Irish fiddle and bouzouki (large octave mandolin) that has withstood the test of time. Frankie and Alec are founding members of the group De Danann, a group that only recently retired after over 30 years of great music. Frankie is a legendary fiddle player known for his fast and fluid style. Alec is playing counterpoint and double lead bouzouki in complete synch. This could be called the typical old pub style back when it was rare to find more than two or three musicians playing together. The happiness of the music is overpowering and immediately stimulates toe tapping if not Irish style dancing. This CD is a little known gem of an album. I can only wish that Johnny McDonagh, a phenomenal pioneer of the Irish drum that played with De Danann when it first started had joined them with an equally strong mix of percussion. If you are collector of fine Celtic music of historic importance, this is a "must have" album. The same is true if you can appreciate some of the very best Irish fiddle and bouzouki ever caught on CD. This album is truly remarkable and includes one tinwhistle solo with Frankie as fast and fluid as the very best players.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking talent, September 16, 2004

By 

Mary K. Ruggiero (Petaluma, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn (Audio CD)

This CD, recorded in (if the liner notes can be believed) 1977, when both Gavin and Finn were in their early 20's, is amazing. The talent sounded fully developed then -- now add 27 years of polish to it! Alec Finn's bouzouki playing is magnificent -- his fingering is fast and sure. And Frankie Gavin borders on scary, he's so good. Particularly jaw-dropping is The Congress Reel, which he plays on the penny whistle. A minute 45 seconds, seemingly on one breath -- if there's a pause in it, I can't hear it. For any fan of Irish music, this is an absolute must. For anybody who appreciates good music of any type, it's highly recommended. (I just wish they'd record more than they do!)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Galway's finest, October 15, 2009

By 

Paul Magnussen (Campbell, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn (Audio CD)

This is certainly the greatest fiddle album I've ever heard.

The reason is not entirely Frankie's playing either, brilliant though that is. It's the total sympathy between player and accompanist: two minds with one idea (or rather, hundreds of ideas).

The accompaniment can make or break a fiddle album; for a horrible counter-example, compare Frankie and Alec's version of "Murphy's Hornpipe" with that of Michael Coleman and his piano-driver.

I've had this album since it first came out in 1977, and I never tire of it.

P.S. And for Andy Irvine's opinion, Google "1982 Andy Irvine Interview Alec Finn".

The total time is only 31'45", although it seems like more. I suppose I should knock a star off for that, but I can't bring myself to.