Customer Reviews

Portland

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Simply the best Irish fiddling/guitar playing I have heard in a long time. The tunes carry a wonderful spirit and the songs are amazing. Burke and O'Dhomnnail will always be (in my mind at least) the greatest of duets. I would recommend this album for anyone interested in learning Irish fiddle or backup style guitar.

I've listened to Irish traditional music for a good many years, and it doesn't get much better than Portland. A wonderful, memorable blend of music and song. Kevin Burke's fiddling is in top-form, and the songs, in Irish gaelic, are hauntingly beautiful. I turn to this disc again and again and it always sounds fresh. My only complaint: There's not quite enough music - running time is 37 minutes and some change. Still, this is a superb disc, one I would strongly recommend.

Boy has this one grown on me to the point it's always in my car CD player. It's a very pleasant mix of hauntingly slow sung songs (airs? not sure but they are tracks 2, 5 and 8) and uptempo instrumentals. I am a guitar player and find it wonderful to listen to Michael O Domnhaill's back up playing. At first listen I didn't think this was that great, but it gets better with every listen! I've just ordered their CD Promenade based on Portland.

Most days, if you asked me what my all time favorite recording (CD/LP/etc), I'd answer "Portland" by Kevin Burke & Micheal O'Domhnaill. Two individuals with enduring styles that combine to make an extra-ordinary duo.

For me bands like Altan and Planxty have a kind of energy that's hard to describe, I think it betters the energy of punk, but perhaps is even similar. It's more than cultural, but there is some of that, more than the quasi-politcal-ness of certain groups and people, ala Andy Irvine, more than history, that "energy" comes out of all that and the traditions-- which come from the people.

But underneath all of it is a music that's been handed down. One can get the sheet music for many of these songs due to the efforts of people Like O'Neill, Cobb, Keegan and others. It's like a language, you can't fully appreciate till you speak it and read it.

All of this is to say that with the work of Kevin Burke & Micheal O'Domhnaill, it's the music that comes to the front-- there's no rollicking energy like in Planxty, but to me an energy more inherent in each tune, they seem deeply personal. Almost as if each song and tune is being played and sung TO YOU by SOMEONE YOU KNOW. I'm struggling here to put what I mean in words, but it's the best I can do.

I love people, but I like most hanging out with one or two friends, in good gab and closeness whether in a snug in a pub, or hiking a trail. The music of Portland (and Promenade) is more like that closeness than the lively fun of a party with more friends. I give it five stars-- I like it better than Promenade, but consider both must have as far as I am concerned.

If you like Celtic or Traditional Irish, give these a listen, and give them some time and careful attention and you will be well rewarded.