In Play

Liz Carroll | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B000ARG2E6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,921 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Both fiddler Carroll and guitarist Doyle began their careers young, recognized as instrumental virtuosos. Carroll won the Senior All-Ireland Championship at age 18, not a small feat for an American. While Carroll traveled eastward across the Atlantic, Doyle moved westward, relocating from his family home in Dublin to New York. Introduced to Irish music by his grandfather Tommy, Doyle was playing professionally by age 16, and soon joined an energetic collection of New-York based Irish musicians, including Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan. Doyle’s partnership with Egan became Solas, the supergroup which would come to define Irish-American music. Doyle pioneered a rhythmic, sophisticated approach to Irish guitar accompaniment, setting a new standard for the instrument.

Doyle and Carroll deliver gracefully, with the squeaky clean gem only they could pull off: an all instrumental, self-produced recording with no additional musicians necessary. Most of the tunes on the thirteen-track In Play are Carroll originals, with one Doyle tune, one Carroll/Doyle co-write, one Johnny Harling tune, and three traditional melodies arranged by the duo. Doyle offers a subtle texture change with bouzouki parts on several tracks, and both musicians explore the range of their expressive capabilities, proving themselves equally at home with heartbreaking slow airs and upbeat dance tunes. In Play is a record of consistent beauty from three old friends – Carroll, Doyle, and Irish Music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best Irish style fiddle and guitar on CD, October 9, 2005

By 

Michael (Placerville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Play (Audio CD)

I have been following Liz Carroll since her trio "Trian" days. She is an immense musical talent, including both being a master of Irish style fiddle and a composer. I have been following John Doyle since the first Solas album. He is one of my two favorite Irish guitar players (with Daithe Sproule of Altan). I suppose John is the surprise of this album and his own solo album. I remember the boyish young lad that put the bounce in the early Solas albums, and a bit unassertive in lead vocals. That has now changed and I hear an accomplished guitar player and lead vocalist that is comfortable in the unique style he has created. I saw them presenting these songs at a recent Celtic Festival, and just the two of them filled the stage with gorgeous music.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely outstanding, December 8, 2005

By 

P. Lozar "plozar" (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Play (Audio CD)

One evening, driving home, I heard the "Hunter's Moon" track from this CD on a local radio station. As soon as I got home, I logged on to Amazon.com and ordered a copy. It's an outstanding album all the way through: the performances sound spontaneous (even in the studio setting), the recording quality is excellent, and the tunes are well selected to show off both performers' range of styles, from cheery to meditative to bumptious. When I read the liner notes later, I was astounded to note how many of the tunes were original compositions by the two performers (mostly Liz Carroll) -- the melodies are interesting and piquant, but they're so thoroughly in tune with tradition that they sound as if they've been around for hundreds of years. The album is an impressive achievement in both composition and performance, and if I could give it 10 stars I would.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, February 25, 2006

By 

Doc Dave "Doc Dave" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Play (Audio CD)

This collection of tunes, featuring extraordianry work on fiddle and guitar, is truly wonderful. I love the fact that Liz Carroll's tunes are very innovative while at the same time faithful to the Irish tradition in music. In my opinion this is her best album in recent years, and this is very high praise considering all the great albums she's been a part of. With just fiddle and guitar on this one, the talents really shine through. Most of the tunes are lively and catchy, and all are very well done. For those who like this album as much as I do, I also recommend checking out the Liz Carroll album, and A Friend Indeed.