While at Catskills Irish Arts Week in mid-July, I heard Brian Conway on the main concert stage and at his new CD release party. I have this lasting impression of Brian being surrounded by a sea of up and coming fiddlers that he tutors and the power of their music blew me away. So I picked up his new CD, "Consider the Souce", and it is simply fantastic!! Brian's superb fiddling is steeped in the Sligo Style and you can hear the Coleman-Wynne-McGann influences coming through each stroke of the bow. The tracks Trim the Velvet/Lord Gordon's and Bonnie Kate/Jenny's Chicken's/Mason's Apron/Peter Street are simply brilliant. The CD also gets great lift from the trio sets when Brian is joined by Billy McComiskey and Joanie Madden. (When will Brian, Joanie, and Billy make a CD???). I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the CD also included waltzes, an O'Carolan piece and two songs (one from Dan Milner and one from the incredible Niamh Parsons.) All in all, for my money, this is the best new CD of 2008 (and there are some real gems out this year.)
Brian's CD release night at Coogan's certainly was a tour-de-force for him and a great night at the Catskills Irish Arts Week. I am sure the album will receive even greater acclaim than his solo CD of just a few years ago "First Through the Gate".
I believe that Billy McComiskey announced at some point during the Catskills Irish Arts Week that he, Brian, Joanie Madden and Brendan Dolan are headed into a studio later this fall to record the long-awaited CD from their ensemble "The Pride of New York Ceili Band" which will be a keepsake for sure.
I think the volume had as much to do with the throngs of people at Darby's as anything else. I had heard that the people on the other side of the bar had trouble hearing the great music. (Darby's looks a bit like the set of Cheers with a big island bar in the middle of the room.)
Harumpf! I haven't found a place to buy it without ordering across the pond. Where can I get it in the US?
I saw Brian a couple of years ago and it was one of the best concerts ever. "First Through The Gate" was a little disappointing because of the weak production values, so I'm hoping this one is done right.
Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
While at Catskills Irish Arts Week in mid-July, I heard Brian Conway on the main concert stage and at his new CD release party. I have this lasting impression of Brian being surrounded by a sea of up and coming fiddlers that he tutors and the power of their music blew me away. So I picked up his new CD, "Consider the Souce", and it is simply fantastic!! Brian's superb fiddling is steeped in the Sligo Style and you can hear the Coleman-Wynne-McGann influences coming through each stroke of the bow. The tracks Trim the Velvet/Lord Gordon's and Bonnie Kate/Jenny's Chicken's/Mason's Apron/Peter Street are simply brilliant. The CD also gets great lift from the trio sets when Brian is joined by Billy McComiskey and Joanie Madden. (When will Brian, Joanie, and Billy make a CD???). I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the CD also included waltzes, an O'Carolan piece and two songs (one from Dan Milner and one from the incredible Niamh Parsons.) All in all, for my money, this is the best new CD of 2008 (and there are some real gems out this year.)
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Jim Feeney
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
I couldn't agree more - it's a masterpiece.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by dereelium
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
This CD is simply magnificent!
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by sligodfiddle92
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
I agree, Conway takes the Sligo style to a new level on this recording. It is a must buy!
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by sligofan
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Brian's CD release night at Coogan's certainly was a tour-de-force for him and a great night at the Catskills Irish Arts Week. I am sure the album will receive even greater acclaim than his solo CD of just a few years ago "First Through the Gate".
I believe that Billy McComiskey announced at some point during the Catskills Irish Arts Week that he, Brian, Joanie Madden and Brendan Dolan are headed into a studio later this fall to record the long-awaited CD from their ensemble "The Pride of New York Ceili Band" which will be a keepsake for sure.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by clareman
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
I enjoyed the CD as well. It's a shame the release party in the Catskills was too loud for <a href="http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/17443">my poor ears</a>
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Hm. Oops. Shame you can't edit comments. A well, the link still works
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
The volume also caused a great deal of distraction for the singing session in the back room.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
I think the volume had as much to do with the throngs of people at Darby's as anything else. I had heard that the people on the other side of the bar had trouble hearing the great music. (Darby's looks a bit like the set of Cheers with a big island bar in the middle of the room.)
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Jim Feeney
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
@GaryAMartin
Yes, I was there for a little while, and it was definitely a buzz-kill.
Personally, I had no problem hearing the music anywhere in the bar, but perhaps the speakers were turned up before I got there or some such.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Coming back to the original thread, Gary, what did you think of Brian's CD?
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by sligofan
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Great fiddle playing
Great album
Great release party
Buy it.
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by fiddleplayer01
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
The CD is excellent, of course. No surprise there.
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
http://www.myspace.com/brianconwayfiddle
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by slainte
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Harumpf! I haven't found a place to buy it without ordering across the pond. Where can I get it in the US?
I saw Brian a couple of years ago and it was one of the best concerts ever. "First Through The Gate" was a little disappointing because of the weak production values, so I'm hoping this one is done right.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Ossian in New Hampshire carries it.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by sligofan
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
You can email Brian directly, I believe, and he'll get you a copy. His email address is on his website, www.brianconway.com
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by fiddleplayer01
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Thanks!
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Brian Conway's New CD "Consider the Source"
Elderly Instruments carries it. How didi I miss that?
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Bob himself