Rendezvous

Kevin Burke (Celtic), Christian LeMaitre, Celtic Fiddle Festival, Johnny Cunningham | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Green Linnet
• ASIN: B00005Q6OL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,516 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Despite a name that suggests a cast of thousands, Celtic Fiddle Festival is a trio made up of some of traditional music's finest fiddlers: Irishman Kevin Burke (the Bothy Band, Patrick Street), Scotsman Johnny Cunningham (Silly Wizard, Nightnoise), and Frenchman Christian LeMaître (Kornog). Rendezvous is their third release, but the first they've recorded in the studio instead of before a concert audience. Their previous recordings proved that each fiddler is more than capable of whipping through a lively set of dance tunes, but here they take advantage of the quieter ambiance of the studio to explore some of the slower, more introspective melodies from the Celtic repertoire. With the fiddles' interweaving melodic lines, which are grounded by guest artist Christine Harrington's cello, moody tunes such as "Cam Ye by Atholl" and the Breton sailor's lament "Gwerz Ar Vezhinerien" take on an almost classical, string quartet feel. But the trio hasn't neglected the quick tunes, and selections like "The Battering Ram and The Kilfenora Jig," which features the three fiddlers trading melodic phrases like a jazz band, will set even the most slothful feet to tapping. The three musicians on Rendezvous may come from different countries, but the seamless way in which their separate styles mesh shows they share the same ancient roots. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tried and true, but essentially tried too often, November 4, 2001

By 

o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rendezvous (Audio CD)

Burke, Cunningham and LeMaitre return with the latest installment of party pieces of Celtic music. Tough part is, with the exception of LeMaitre, we've heard it all before. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the CD and the song selection. It breaks no new ground, other than this one was done in the studio (the others were live, and warts and all, generated more heat).Ged Foley is the accompaniest this outing. Essentially that is what distinguishes this from the other discs in their canon. John McGann and Soig Siberil and Ged Foley are the undercurrents that generate the interest in this series. And frankly, so does Le Maitre, who benefits from presenting material from Brittany that most Celtoids are less familiar with. LeMaitre has been such a tremendously unrecognized talent, particularly in this partnership, that whenever he is given room to stretch, it is a joy. His resume includes tours of duty with Kornog, Den, Archetype and a brilliant solo CD. Recast in this setting, he seems penned in. It is a shame. Perhaps Burke and Cunningham have reached that point in their careers where they have nothing left to prove but their own command. Fair enough. It just never catches fire. Kind of like the Chieftains: venerable, but the days on the edge have sailed into the sunset. A case of Rust Never Sleeps. So, for the completists, it is a worthy addition. If you ever wondered how these artists established their reputation, look elsewhere. This is Celtic music for the green sweater crowd and Silly Wizard nostalgiacs: festival faves, instead of inspired adventures. Hie ye over to Keltia Music and search the catalogue for LeMaitre's other projects and get ready to be blown away.