Customer Reviews

Tony Mcmanus

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

 

 

Celtic lord! This is arguably the BEST celtic fingerstylist Ive ever heard.

Very strong, very entertaining.

I first heard Tony McManus on Andy Kershaw's BBC Radio 1 programme about six years ago and was astonished at his dexterity and virtuosity. Only once or twice a year do I hear something that stops me dead in my tracks and that night it was a piece of genius called "The Milliner's Daughter." (only Kate Rusby and Mogwai have done it since...)

It took me months to track down a copy of the CD but the effort was well worth it (I think I eventually found a copy in a record shop up in Edinburgh's Grassmarket). In an age of ever more ephemeral and corporatised product this stands out as a timeless labour of love. Listen to those endless blues, rap and hard rock influences - exactly! There aren't any! Britney Spears and Fred Durst would implode if they ever encountered anything as shockingly beautiful as this.

Sadly few of us Brits know anything of our own traditional music, but this is a great introduction to it. You might even start listening to Mike Harding's folk music programme on BBC Radio 2 after being inspired by Mr McManus' marvellous debut recording.

Seriously though, if you ever thought you were reasonably competent on man's favourite musical instrument, then give this a listen. The words "I'm not worthy" will be ringing through your head for months afterwards. Anyone worshipping at the altar of Joe Satriani would be best advised to stay clear...

If you're a fan of Celtic guitar or a guitarist yourself, do yourself a favor by purchasing this disk. When I hear Tony McManus play, I get vicarious blisters on my fingers. He does this triplet thing with his right hand that is bloody amazing! There's one medley of songs on the CD that includes a version of "The Rakish Paddy" that would make Pierre Bensusan sweat. As a guitarist myself, listening to this CD is both inspiring and disheartening at the same time...he makes stellar technique sound easy.