Customer Reviews

Kerry Fiddles

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Kerry is one of the great fiddle counties in Ireland, and these three musicians are among the greatest of their generation. Recorded back in 1952 by Séamus Ennis, himself a great musician, in Charlie Horan's Bar in Castleisland, this is a true classic! You can leave behind the supergroups - you won't find more impressive talent or tasteful playing than this in the world of Irish traditional music. Listen out for the common habit whereby one fiddler plays the tune one octave below the other - just beautiful! If you love Irish fiddle music, you must have this album.

I am a Composer and performer who has roots in Irish music, and of all the fiddle recordings I've ever come across, this is by far one of the best and the most cherished of my entire collection. I was fortunate enough to obtain my copy from an original 78 LP and the clicks, pops, and other slight "accents" contained in the recording only add a warmth and nostalgic feeling to the tunes. This listener is taken back to the moment in time when Ennis recorded the trio and feels as if they are sitting in any pub listening to what was and still is the standard nightly music of Kerry's fiddlers. A beautiful recording and a must for any Irish music fan.

I bought this because I had "Star Above the Garter" by Denis Murphy and his sister, Julia Clifford (which is a classic of Irish traditional music), and I wanted more. These recordings were made before "Star" and include their mentor Padraig O'Keeffe in various combinations (solo, duet, trio). This is the real thing; I love pure, traditional Irish fiddling, and in my opinion belongs alongside the great recordings of the genre by Bobby Casey, Tommy Potts, et al.

This is an excellent cd for anyone who wants to hear authentic Irish Music, without any gimics, played by people whom traditional Irish music was a way of life.