Fused

Michael McGoldrick (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B00004W5KT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #227,219 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Rhythm Magazine
In the history of Irish traditional music, there aren't many musicians who have incorporated trumpets or saxophones into their sound. In the 1930s, fiddler Paddy Killoran's Pride of Erin Orchestra was made up of trumpets and clarinets, among other instruments, an ensemble that was quite suitable for dancing. Michael McGoldrick continues where Killoran left off, adding to the brass band electric guitars, contemporary percussion (including a full drum set, tabla, and triangle), keyboards, and programming. This certainly makes Fused an album likely to inspire dancing, but it's not so easy to listen to. The overload of instruments, beats, and sampling distracts from the traditional reels and jigs. McGoldrick, who mostly performs on flutes, whistles, and uilleann pipes here, plays some nice trad tunes-"The Roaring Bar Maid" and "Otter's Holt" come to mind. He includes plenty of original compositions, like "James Brown's March" and "Hip Agus Hop"--titles that are representative of the recording's overall sound. McGoldrick gets a little help from Dezi Donnelly, Alan Kelly, and Manus Lunny, all notable musicians in their own right. The best track, "Donal Og," features the incredible vocals of Karan Casey (ex-Solas). -Allison M. Brock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Musician, October 5, 2000

By	Andy Sutton (Lincolnshire - United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

I'm new to this type of music and bought this album in the UK. The quality of the musicians and the production on this album are fantastic, I could listen to this album all day and still find something new in each of the peices, haunting, lively, foot tapping, jazz, celtic, indian you name it. I'll certainly be looking out for more of Michael McGoldrick in the future

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celtic Weisberg, February 27, 2001

By	Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What a blast this CD is from start to finish! This album is about three-fifths Celtic and two-fifths jazz. I haven't heard a flute album with playing this fresh since Tim Weisberg. "Ridee" in particular brings back deja vu of Tim Weisberg. Several of the cuts have a distinctively jazz feel. "Windbroke" is dynamicly propelled by McGoldrick's flutes. "Lough Mountain" starts with a loose female voice saying, "Hey baby, you want to go out?" It then flows so smooth, that the date's for sure. "Hip Agus Hop" is about as smooth of a Celtic-jazz fusion as you're likely to hear. Then McGoldrick dives into the Celtic side with "Reid's Reels" and the beautiful lullabye-flavored "Goodbye Grant." McGoldrick is from Manchester, England and was recently voted best overseas musician in an Irish music poll. Small wonder. American audiences have a gem here to discover!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars McGoldrick ~ Spillane, November 21, 2000

By A Customer

Being an enthusiastic Davy Spillane fan, I was eager yet skeptical when I heard of flutist/whistler Mike McGoldrick. However, my skepticism was blown away within just a few short tracks. Mike's mastery of the low whistle is like few others I've ever heard, lively yet sweet and controlled. His tracks vary greatly, so there's something for just about everyone here. An excellent buy.