It's always a bit of a challenge when you want to say something about someone who everyone thinks is great. In this case, a band, an iconic one. Finnegan, Allen, Boyd, Kelly. Flook are legendary, we all know that. Listen to their albums - they're amazing. Witness them live - it's mindblowing; I hope you … Continue reading “Sanju” finds Flook in a beautifully peaceful mood
Tag: flute
Fraser Fifield’s trilogy of trios: a remarkable achievement!
Of all the brilliant Scottish pipes and flutes masters, Fraser Fifield may be the most eager ti explore the various possibilities of his instruments. His previous deep dives into both world music and the inner life of bagpipes are now followed by the 2023-24 trilogy of trio albums, focusing very much, but not only, on … Continue reading Fraser Fifield’s trilogy of trios: a remarkable achievement!
Kennedy & O’Leary’s “Hydra” is not a beast, it’s a beauty
I was delighted to witness Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O'Leary perform at the Edinburgh TradFest 2022. It was an intimate and lively set and I well remember the warm atmosphere and the brilliant musicianship of these Irish masters. And now they have released an absolutely magical album. I believe this is the first time they … Continue reading Kennedy & O’Leary’s “Hydra” is not a beast, it’s a beauty
Edey & Ainslie’s “Diad” is a joyful dialogue
Ross Ainslie, as you probably know already, is an astonishing musician and composer (and the nicest of people, too), and you may also know the merry hyperactivity and virtuoso guitar and melodeon playing of Tim Edey. They have played together quite a bit lately and I'm happy that some of their simply amazing live stuff … Continue reading Edey & Ainslie’s “Diad” is a joyful dialogue
Celtic Connections 2023: Carty & McGoldrick, Ryan Young, Sarah Markey
Tuesday night, Jan 31, saw a feast of fully acoustic Celtic music at the RCH Strathclyde Suite. The excellent flute player Sarah Markey opened the evening with a solid set of Irish and Scottish tunes - very nice! The headliners, John Carty and Mike McGoldrick, were as good as you’d expect; it’s always a pleasure … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Carty & McGoldrick, Ryan Young, Sarah Markey
Some jaw-droppin’ musicians! Have mercy…
By pure chance I happened to listen to some dazzling albums over the past week - dazzling in terms of musicianship, that is. If you play an instrument and need some inspiration to fire up your own practising, check these out… The amazing debut album An Den Day Made Tae (2020) by the Shetland brothers … Continue reading Some jaw-droppin’ musicians! Have mercy…
What I listened to in the summer of ’22, part 2: Dave Sheridan, AVA
Two Irish 🇮🇪 artists that got my attention this summer are very different; one established and trad, the other fairly new and decidedly not trad.The master flautist Dave Sheridan’s two albums, Sheridan’s Guest House (2006) and Drivin’ Leitrim Timber (2010) were a great delight. As the Celtic scene is brim full of good trad music, … Continue reading What I listened to in the summer of ’22, part 2: Dave Sheridan, AVA
Album Review: A John Doyle Double Feature
John Doyle, Ireland’s great gift to guitar in folk music, has obviously been a busy guy lately. His latest solo effort, Path Of Stones, came out in the spring and the collaboration album with a certain Mr. McGoldrick was released just a wee moment ago. Since I was not writing here too much during spring, … Continue reading Album Review: A John Doyle Double Feature
Album Review / David Foley & Jack Smedley: Time To Fly
It does not take much but it takes everything. It takes a fiddle and a flute and some other instruments and a few good people with good hands and a lot of soul. RURA's David Foley and Jack Smedley have released their first non-RURA outing, Time To Fly, an album of such natural flow, natural … Continue reading Album Review / David Foley & Jack Smedley: Time To Fly
Album Review / Project Smok: Bayview
Even out here in Finland, I noticed the first single and EP releases from the mysteriously titled band a couple of years ago. The playing was sharp and impressive and the material was very much ok so I earmarked them for further monitoring. And now things seem to be really moving in Smokland. Me and … Continue reading Album Review / Project Smok: Bayview
FolkNotes 