$8.99
Sold by music on Tradebit
The world's largest download marketplace
3,250,400 satisfied buyers
The world's largest download marketplace
3,250,400 satisfied buyers
MP3 Alistair Gillies & Jon Hayward - O'Carolan's Concerto
14 MP3 Songs in this album (45:42) !
Related styles: Folk: Celtic Folk, World: Western European, Instrumental
People who are interested in Bothy Band Chieftains should consider this download.
Details:
Alistair Gillies is one of the leading players of traditional music on the saxophone in the UK and Jon Hayward was, before his untimely death, an iconic English fiddle player and character. These recordings put a new twist on the music of the great 17th centure harp player Turlough O''Carolan bringing it right up to date.
Greenman Review says:Jon Hayward and Alistair Gillies tackle music that is not per definition traditional, that of the blind Irish harper Turlough O''Carolan (1670-1738). But in spite of it being music of a known writer it is often treated as traditional, not seldom labelled "trad arr" when it appears on records, and there must be very few groups playing traditional instrumental Irish music that do not play at least one of Carolan''s tunes.
Hayward and Gillies approach these tunes in a very traditional manner, with the new dimension being their choice of instruments. I do not think I have ever heard the man''s music performed by fiddle and soprano saxophone before. Jon Hayward also does some overdubs on the mandolin, and Ian Beddow supplies guitar backing on eight of the 14 tracks.
The repertoire is a mix between the well- and the lesser-known of Carolan''s compositions. You get all the frequently played ones, like Sheebeg Sheemore, the title track, Lord Inchiquin and Hewlett.
When it comes to performances the saxophone and the fiddle go very well together, creating an original and exciting sound. The mandolin and the guitar lighten things up on the jollier numbers, but to me it is the slower ones that work the best. The two solo performances, "Blind Mary" on the saxophone and the closing "Carolan''s Farewell to Music" are my favourite tracks on the album, with the slow majestic treatment of "Hewlett" giving them a run for their money.
So I would give it very high marks for the ideas behind it, an album to keep as a reference work.
File Data