Across the Black River

Kevin Burke (Artist), Cal Scott (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 8, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Loftus Music
• ASIN: B000PLXFJ2
• In-Print Editions: Spiral-bound  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,904 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Kevin Burke was born in London to Irish parents. He is a noted modern exponent of a highly ornamental fiddle style typical of County Sligo and made famous by Michael Coleman. Now based in Portland, Oregon, he is a former member of the Bothy Band and Patrick Street, an original founder of Celtic Fiddle Festival and a 2002 winner of the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship. American guitarist Cal Scott is a professional sound designer who also performs with a folk ensemble and has several soundtracks and commercial jingles to his credit. For Burke's first release on his own label, he and Scott have brought forth an unexpectedly varied cornucopia of riches. Burke’s soaring, slinky yet rhythmically precise fiddle licks are underpinned by a high-and-lonesome guitar redolent of Western bonfires, mountain air and the broad Pacific. Both players are heard at their most outgoing while politely deferring to one another as required. But above all, they seem engrossed in the most glorious form of adult play imaginable, leaping and spinning amid dancing waves and eddying shoals of catchy folkloric, "trad-arr." and newly composed tunes. The closing track, a slow air composed by Scottish accordionist Phil Cunningham as a tribute to his late brother Johnny, is stark, heartbreaking and beautiful beyond words. --Christina Roden

Product Description

This CD is a collaboration between Irish fiddler, Kevin Burke, and guitarist/composer, Cal Scott. For over 30 years, Kevin’s been well-known in Irish music both as a soloist and as a member of The Bothy Band, Patrick Street and The Celtic Fiddle Festival. Cal Scott, of Oregon’s Trail Band, has played in folk, rock and jazz groups for three decades; recorded and produced over 20 CDs; and composed music for many films including over 30 PBS documentaries. Across the Black River features Johnny B. Connolly (accordion) from Bridgetown, Michael McGoldrick (flutes) from Capercaillie and Phil Baker (bass) from Pink Martini. As well as beautifully crafted interpretations of traditional tunes, Across the Black River includes an air written by Phil Cunningham in remembrance of his brother, Johnny, the famous Scottish fiddler.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great duet!, May 16, 2007

By	Lilting Banshee (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews

Kevin Burke has never sounded better than on this first outing on his own record label. Cal Scott joins him on guitar through predominantly, though not exclusively, Irish traditional tunes played the Kevin Burke way. Both contribute some original tunes that fit comfortably together in this inspired mix. Scott is the real surprise here; he accompanies Irish tunes just fine. Some tunes include well-known guest musicians to provide extra texture to a tune with flute, button accordion, or electric bass. If you're a Burke fan already, you should like this CD. If you don't mind tasteful variations tossed in among your Irish traditional music, you'll like this. All instrumental, played by masters.