Customer Reviews

Masters of the Irish Guitar

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This is the definitive Irish guitar CD. Now, let me state here that these are NEW RECORDINGS, not simply a compilation album that's been put together of previously released recordings. All of the recordings have been recorded specifically for this album.

What can I say? As an Irish traditional music guitarist, I was so delighted to hear all of the masters playing various tunes. It's such a delight to listen to just to see the breadth of styles that the guitar can produce. It's breathtaking to hear all of the sounds. I highly recommend this CD to anyone for any reason. It's definitely in my top 10 CD list.

Failte - I whole heartedly agree with Ian. This album is a collaboration of guitar players stimulated by their meeting at the Sebastopol Celtic Festival with the coordination of Donal Clancy of Danu'. These are original tracks enlisted in the cause of the guitar as a lead instrument in Irish traditional music. Through 16 tracks of excellent guitar, there is a full range of music, from fast paced flat picking reels to eloquently gorgeous fingerstyle airs. My stand out favorites start with the deceptive simplicity of "Home by the Fire" by Donogh Hennessy. It is one of those songs that if you stop the CD at that point, you will be repeating it in your head long afterwards. John Doyle contributes "The Gooseberry Bush / Sailors Return" and "the New Post Office / Coen's Memories / The Atlantic Wave", two sets of reels that demonstrate his excellent, high energy, fast paced flat picking that was one the trademark of the original Solas albums. Donal Clancy has been the backbone of my favorite band Danu' and richly deserves attention as an individual talent. Daithe'Sproule has been one of my favorite guitar player since his early work with James Kelly and Paddy O' Brien, to Trian, and most recently with Altan. He contributes "Lisa's Brook", a beautiful waltz demonstrating his unique chord arrangements. Arty McGlynn contributes The Humours of "Kilclocher / Strop the Razor", an excellent set of smooth sounding jigs, and a beautiful air "Over the Hills." And Donal Clancy contributes a set of reels, "Jackie Fitzpatrick's / The Boy in the Boat" and "Miss McDermott(the Princess Royal)" unfortunately without lyrics.

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The gents before me stated it perfectly: This is wonderful traditional Irish music. I really couldn't say it better, but to add that I love the album and am so glad to know that there are musicians like this out there to bring us a bit of heaven.

This is a great collection of Irish Guitar master players. Excellent performances. A must have for any serious fan of the Irish guitar.