Customer Reviews

If the Cap Fits

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Failte! (Greeting!) Kevin Burke talks about the music he grew up with as a child on the album cover. Fiddlers could be found in pubs alone or with one or two other musicians in relaxed sessions as much for their own relaxation and fun as for entertaining friends and relatives from the neighborhood. This album was cut in 1978 and is a reminder of the old ways before their were contests and other pressures brought to bear on the music. Kevin plays in a manner as if he had a symphony in his head. It is a meditation and playing to an audience of one, yourself. This is an archival gem and statement of the old way of playing Irish traditional music the traditional way. Any real Celtic Collection may need a CD or two to represent the old pub style, music for fun and relaxation. This is one of my favorites, along with Paddy Maloney and Sean Potts "Tin Whistles" from 1973. These are the classics if you ever want to get back to the roots. I love playing bodhran and bones to these CD's, as they allow the simplicity of traditional percussion to traditional, strong lead playing. Add a few friends and more than a few bottles of Guinness and you have the traditional stress management program for an evening.

This album is a just plain joy to listen to. IIRC, this was Kevin Burke's first solo album (after leaving Bothy Band). The music is straight-ahead dance music, played with incredible energy. My second favorite track is the polka set, where Kevin overdubs a couple more fiddles. Of course, everyone's favorite track is the marvellous 20 minute medley of reels on the second side, starting and ending with Toss the Feathers. Absolutely marvellous!

I'll never forget when I first heard the unbelievable second side of this album (I date myself). Kevin Burke takes you on an extended fiddle joyride that ends as powerfully as it begins. A magnificent introduction to the beauty and power of Irish fiddle music. Thanks, Kevin.

This classic, was the first `solo album' from Celtic fiddling superhero Kevin Burke - produced in 1978, when Kevin was still in the outrageously innovative Bothy Band. It has stood the test of time, and for many of his fans especially in America, it is the essential fiddle album. (A `remastered' version was released in 2008.) Though a `solo' album, Kevin is helped along by several major talents whose individual contributions were grafted onto the fiddle `core'. These include his Bothy pals Mícheál Ó Domhnaill and Donal Lunny, Gerry O Beirne, Paul Brady, and Jackie Daly.

Though still only in his twenties Kevin's brilliant innovations on the fiddle were very highly regarded, and he was coveted by the top traditional groups of the time. He moved to America around 1980 and has lived there since, producing dozens of albums over the years, with many notable musicians including Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, Patrick Street, Jackie Daly, Celtic Fiddle Festival, and most recently Cal Scott. He tours extensively - sometimes accompanied, at times solo.

Kevin Burke was born in 1950, and raised in London, England. However his (Sligo) Irish immigrant parents introduced their children to a more `Irish world', than many would have experienced in Ireland at this time. They were bathed in a very rich culture of traditional music, and though Kevin remembers being teased at school for playing the violin/fiddle - his increasing ability, enthusiasm, combined with strong family and community support meant that he ultimately thrived.

On this album (particularly track 8 - the `long medley') Kevin wants to create the realistic feel and power of a `traditional' session, based on his knowledge and experience of the old immigrant players, whom he so admired and respected in his growing up years. Many of these men came from rural communities in the west of Ireland, where playing music and singing was as normal as breathing. So, when the work was done - it was to the familiar music from home that they naturally turned - to relax, and to feel `at home'. (Kevin actually sings himself from time to time - and I've heard him sing a lovely poignant little number expressing the loneliness of the emigrant who finds consolation upon entering a warm `Irish' pub and hearing the voices and music of home...)

Several of the tunes Kevin plays solo, or what he terms his `naked fiddle' (without accompaniment). Other tracks have superimposed `layers', sometimes several - particularly in his hugely popular, 11 track 16minute `Long Medley' - where he wants to give the impression of a protracted, and powerfully energetic pub `session' with musicians coming and going - but the lead instrument - the fiddle continuing without interruption...and it works! On this track he incorporates some tantalising Ry Cooder style bottleneck guitar courtesy of Gerry O Beirne. His `Star of Munster' `Paddy Fahy's Jigs', Caslein nOr, and the buzzing `Mason's Apron', are all thoughtful and considered - but most important as he states on the notes FUN! Corfibbles and all!!

On this album you find yourself transported back in time to an Irish pub - in good company - relaxing, feet tapping, the clunk of glasses, the sound of laughter, the frenzy of the fiddlers elbow, just discernable through the eye watering clouds of `Woodbines' and pipe smoke...then the spell is broken - but not too soon!

My own favorite Kevin Burke albums are still Promenade and Portland, but if you want the `authentic' sound of a `good old fashioned Irish music session' you'll find much to enjoy on this lively toe-tapping extravaganza!!

To quote from Earle Hitchner's incisive commentary:
"His expertly executed rolls, grace notes, double stops, and other inventive ornamentation, such as a trademark silky bowstroke creating the illusion of seamlessness, between tune changes combine with impeccable pace, irresistible swing, and desirable bits of grit to forge this indisputable triumph of a solo recording. Every track radiates the `nyaah'".

Celtic music for our son, a budding Irish fiddle player. He knew about this in advance, and was not disappointed.