Customer Reviews

Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn

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

 

 

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.

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!)

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.

...but I found this profoundly disappointing. I'm playing it again as I write this to confirm my opinion. I have always liked all types of Irish music, and in particular Irish fiddle (and I have been taking fiddle lessons, at an advanced age, for a couple years now, and really enjoying it, except for the fact that it is SOOO damn hard!). Gavin plays quite fast, with a sing-song rythem (sp?) that eliminates the luscious melodic quality of these Irish tunes. If one compares Gavin's playing to Martin Hayes, who can take the simplest tune and play it with such feeling that it makes you want to cry out-there is just no comparison. Forgo this and get a copy of Hayes' LIVE IN SEATTLE.