Customer Reviews

Fused

5 star:		(7)
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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

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!

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.

While traveling in Ireland I happened upon a small music shop in Doolin. This CD was playing and I was knocked out by what I was hearing. Naturally, I bought the CD and it has been one of my prized CD's. If you are a strict traditionalist in regards to Irish music, you might find this CD offensive in that it does not stick to the traditional instruments or styles. If you are seeking something innovative and interesting, then this CD might be for you. Michael's influence is everywhere you look and his influence can be found in early Lunasa records as well as the Afro-celt Sound System, among others as well. There is a good reason why so many want Michael on their recordings, he is a master irish flutist. I just wish he would tour in the states some day. Buy it and enjoy it!

In the 1980s, Irish folk master Donal Lunny was at the heart of an exciting experiment called "Moving Hearts". That group sought to fuse traditional Irish music with elements of rock and jazz. This Scottish-produced CD created a similar buzz for me. Michael McGoldrick is probably best known for his uilleann pipe & whistle playing with premier Scottish group Capercaillie, though heads had already been turned by his flute, whistle and pipe work with Anglo-Irish group Flook.

McGoldrick's dynamically fluid playing and inventive compositional skills come fully to the fore on this brilliant solo debut. It helps that he has a superb bunch of backing musicians from the traditional and progressive scenes in both Scotland and Ireland. That roster includes Karen Matheson and Karan Casey, arguably the best of today's trad. singers from Scotland and Ireland (respectively), on one track each. But in truth it is the instrumental playing, the interplay of McGoldrick's flute/whistle/pipes with, for instance, jazz bass, percussion and sax, or trad. fiddle, accordion and bodhran, that gives this album its particular verve.

Capercaillie band mate Donald Shaw, who also produced and played on the album, chose well in launching his new label "Vertical Records" with such a stunning CD.

What a great CD. Irish trad and jazz fusion!!!! Michael takes Lunasa's upgrade of Irish trad to the next step.

This is an excellent CD! I honestly can't listen to the CD enough. I've had friends listen to the CD who aren't even interested in any sort of Celtic or instrumental music and they also raved over it. McGoldrick needs to put out another one!