For those of us living in the antipodes and elsewhere, in caves, bark huts, or in old car bodies and far from the heartlands of ITM is there anyone who would like to chance a Best Albums of 2009 list. Happy New Year to all.
Isn't it great that you can live in caves, bark huts and old car bodies in the antipodes, not freeze yer ass off, and still feel like you're at a party. All this and ITM too. Excellent.
There's a decade ending every New Year!
As for the rest, I suppose it depends whether you think there was a Year 0
Not many folkies I know buy new releases so probably unable to comment. I bought a set of recordings from USA in the 20s and 30s, see here http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display.php/3429
so they'd have to be my best of 2009
"The Daisy Field" link, if followed, will reward those with a sufficiently fast internet connection with three sample tracks from the collection. It includes Geraldine Cotter on piano accompaniment on some tracks.
Niche trad rarely gets as far as the HMV in Durham. I don't think I bought any trad there this year. But then, I spend my money on food, beer, coffee and fags rather than clothes and CDs, so this is par for the course.
Mind, I *do* think Susan Boyle's good. Maybe not the greatest there's ever been but still, pretty bl**dy good by my reckoning. Holds a note and doesn't sound like a very large kitten being subjected to baneful experiments - that's all I ask.
Though I wish she'd recorded Daydream Believer as a full-throated stomp rather than as a wistful slow number.
DD, as there never was a year Zero, then the first decade began with year 1 AD ( Anno Domini ), and ended the first decade with year 10.
So every decade, century, and millennium begins with a year ending in 1, and ends with a year ending in Zero.
The rot set in at the end of the last Millennium, when no-one had the courage to stand up and say "Actually, to be precise, the Millennium ends at the END of 2000'.
And the whole world went along with the received wisdom, and no-one said "Nay".
Well, I did, to no avail.
All the media in this country has been going on with reviews of the last decade, and saying this is the start of a new decade.
Sheep !
We are all sheep.
Except for me, the voice of one baa-ing in the wilderness.
Mick, Louise, and Michelle Mulcahy -- "Reelin' in Tradition."
Superb playing, as always.
Doolin' -- "Angels are Free."
Lively and interesting arrangements. Their self-penned tune, "5/4/6/4," is a real gem.
Liz Carroll and John Doyle -- "Double Play."
Another release from a truly winning combination.
Donal Murphy -- "Happy Hour."
I'm not a huge fan of accordion albums, but I was hooked with this one.
Lauren MacColl -- "Strewn with Ribbons."
Tasteful arrangements on this fine Scottish fiddle debut album.
Donald Grant -- "The Way Home."
Long awaited solo album by a great Highland fiddler. Fell in love with the tune he penned, "Braeroy Road," but prefer Chris Stout's arrangement.
Bua -- "An Spealadóir"
Second release by the ITM group formerly billed as "Gan Bua." Pleased to hear more pipes!
Guidewires -- "Live."
Nice mixture of new and old tunes. Admittedly I love anything that Sylvain Barou does. I particularly like their rendition of "Homer's Reel."
Fred Morrison -- "Outlands."
Fusion of Irish and Scots trad with Americana. If you loved the "Kansas City Hornpipe" on the Transatlantic Sessions, you'll love this.
Cillian Vallely and Kevin Crawford -- "On Common Ground."
I had big expectations from this album. It's not as exciting as I had hoped, but there are some stand-out tracks.
... and then there are the 2009 releases that I haven't purchased but think also deserve a mention (and hope others will comment on):
Gavin Whelan -- "In Full Flight."
Steph Geremia -- "The Open Road."
Liam Kelly -- "Sweetwood."
John Wynne -- "Like The Wind (Ar Nos Na Gaoithe)."
Liam O'Connor and Sean McKeon -- "Dublin Made Me."
Marc Pollier -- "Ebony and Brass."
Slide -- "Beo - Live."
LAU -- "Arc Light."
Green Fields Of America -- "Green Fields Of America."
Pipeline (Dermot Hyde and Tom Hake) -- "The Red Line."
Holly Geraghty and Jonathan Roche - "Ceolmhar."
Seamus Begley and Jim Murray -- "Eiri Go La."
Beoga -- "The Incident."
Both Sweetwood and Like the Wind were very solid CDs. Not sure about The Incident, didn't think it had the polish of the first one. The best of this list for me might be Ceolmhar, which was a really straight down the line recording, and got a lot of spins in my house. Of course Dublin Made Me was also excellent - maybe though a bit too clean? Another one which I have just got which needs to be mentioned is the double CD of Vincent Campbell.
The one missing from all these posts so far which might even have claims for inclusion in a best of the decade is Bradley and Clarkson's duet album. By far the most exciting and consistent recording of the year.
I'll add my votes to the 2nd Mulcahy family recording, certainly "Pleasures Of Hope" by Harry Bradley and Michael Clarkson, but if forced to choose a single recording from 2009, I'd wholeheartedly recommend "The Open Road", by Steph Geremia.
Best Albums of 2009
Best Albums of 2009
For those of us living in the antipodes and elsewhere, in caves, bark huts, or in old car bodies and far from the heartlands of ITM is there anyone who would like to chance a Best Albums of 2009 list. Happy New Year to all.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by bigyabby
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Morga - "Morga"
Caldh Nua - "Happy Days"
Donal Murphy - "Happy Hour"
Fergal Scahill - "A Dusty Bridge"
Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden & Seamie O'Dowd - "Crossroads"
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by DADdyGADdy
Re: Best Albums of 2009
"Fidil 3" is fun to listen to, but I personally prefer Claire Keville's quieter concertina album "The Daisy Field": http://claddaghrecords.com/WWW/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2940
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by slainte
Re: Best Albums of 2009
'Pure Banjo' by Brian mcGrath, pure class.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by rmccourt
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Isn't it great that you can live in caves, bark huts and old car bodies in the antipodes, not freeze yer ass off, and still feel like you're at a party. All this and ITM too. Excellent.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
In another years' time we can ask for the best albums of the decade.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Best Albums of 2009
You can do that tonight...start of 2000 to end of 2009 is the decade. Get ready to party!@#$%&
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
A decade is 10 years. So... next year!
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Dawros Frog
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Yep; 2000 to 2009 is ten years.
So, 2010!
Oh, wait on, you mean 2010 or 2011, it's already 2010 here. Happy New Decade.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
There's a decade ending every New Year!
As for the rest, I suppose it depends whether you think there was a Year 0
Not many folkies I know buy new releases so probably unable to comment. I bought a set of recordings from USA in the 20s and 30s, see here http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display.php/3429
so they'd have to be my best of 2009
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Bren
Re: Best Albums of 2009
There's a decade every New Year?
Yes, Bren, yes, that's right. Quaint isn't it.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Is the Pope a Catholic, Bren?
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Mark Knopfler - Get Lucky (tee hee..)
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by kuec
Re: Best Albums of 2009
"The Daisy Field" link, if followed, will reward those with a sufficiently fast internet connection with three sample tracks from the collection. It includes Geraldine Cotter on piano accompaniment on some tracks.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Arthur Nordstrom
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Steph Geremia "The Open Road"
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by brotherstorm
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Niche trad rarely gets as far as the HMV in Durham. I don't think I bought any trad there this year. But then, I spend my money on food, beer, coffee and fags rather than clothes and CDs, so this is par for the course.
Mind, I *do* think Susan Boyle's good. Maybe not the greatest there's ever been but still, pretty bl**dy good by my reckoning. Holds a note and doesn't sound like a very large kitten being subjected to baneful experiments - that's all I ask.
Though I wish she'd recorded Daydream Believer as a full-throated stomp rather than as a wistful slow number.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by nicholas
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Btw, the selection in HMV's Easy Listening section is quite catholic.
They have an album called (something like):
'THE HIGHLAND BAGPIPE: 60+ TUNES.
They probably put it there because they don't run to a section called Difficult Listening.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by nicholas
Re: Best Albums of 2009
In the field of ITM, it's got to be Fidil 3.
Elsewhere, Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons takes some beating
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by strayaway
Re: Best Albums of 2009
DD, as there never was a year Zero, then the first decade began with year 1 AD ( Anno Domini ), and ended the first decade with year 10.
So every decade, century, and millennium begins with a year ending in 1, and ends with a year ending in Zero.
The rot set in at the end of the last Millennium, when no-one had the courage to stand up and say "Actually, to be precise, the Millennium ends at the END of 2000'.
And the whole world went along with the received wisdom, and no-one said "Nay".
Well, I did, to no avail.
All the media in this country has been going on with reviews of the last decade, and saying this is the start of a new decade.
Sheep !
We are all sheep.
Except for me, the voice of one baa-ing in the wilderness.
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Best Albums of 2009
and fair enough your take is too, gp. It's all just numbers on a wall calendar after all. Baa on!
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
gerry o connors high up low down is gud even if it doesnt live up to myriad or time to time
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by lordbanjo
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Baaa! Baa! BAAAAA!
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by DaveL35
Re: Best Albums of 2009
"We are two little sheep,
Who have lost our way,
Baaa, baaa, baaah !"
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Best Albums of 2009
The best recordings I got hold of this year weren't albums at all, but mp3 files of 78s and cylinders.
# Posted on January 2nd 2010 by Alex Wilding
Re: Best Albums of 2009
I quite like Dermy & Tara's "Seanchairde".
# Posted on January 2nd 2010 by mr_segundus
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Mick, Louise, and Michelle Mulcahy -- "Reelin' in Tradition."
Superb playing, as always.
Doolin' -- "Angels are Free."
Lively and interesting arrangements. Their self-penned tune, "5/4/6/4," is a real gem.
Liz Carroll and John Doyle -- "Double Play."
Another release from a truly winning combination.
Donal Murphy -- "Happy Hour."
I'm not a huge fan of accordion albums, but I was hooked with this one.
Lauren MacColl -- "Strewn with Ribbons."
Tasteful arrangements on this fine Scottish fiddle debut album.
Donald Grant -- "The Way Home."
Long awaited solo album by a great Highland fiddler. Fell in love with the tune he penned, "Braeroy Road," but prefer Chris Stout's arrangement.
Bua -- "An Spealadóir"
Second release by the ITM group formerly billed as "Gan Bua." Pleased to hear more pipes!
Guidewires -- "Live."
Nice mixture of new and old tunes. Admittedly I love anything that Sylvain Barou does. I particularly like their rendition of "Homer's Reel."
Fred Morrison -- "Outlands."
Fusion of Irish and Scots trad with Americana. If you loved the "Kansas City Hornpipe" on the Transatlantic Sessions, you'll love this.
Cillian Vallely and Kevin Crawford -- "On Common Ground."
I had big expectations from this album. It's not as exciting as I had hoped, but there are some stand-out tracks.
... and then there are the 2009 releases that I haven't purchased but think also deserve a mention (and hope others will comment on):
Gavin Whelan -- "In Full Flight."
Steph Geremia -- "The Open Road."
Liam Kelly -- "Sweetwood."
John Wynne -- "Like The Wind (Ar Nos Na Gaoithe)."
Liam O'Connor and Sean McKeon -- "Dublin Made Me."
Marc Pollier -- "Ebony and Brass."
Slide -- "Beo - Live."
LAU -- "Arc Light."
Green Fields Of America -- "Green Fields Of America."
Pipeline (Dermot Hyde and Tom Hake) -- "The Red Line."
Holly Geraghty and Jonathan Roche - "Ceolmhar."
Seamus Begley and Jim Murray -- "Eiri Go La."
Beoga -- "The Incident."
# Posted on January 2nd 2010 by bdh
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Both Sweetwood and Like the Wind were very solid CDs. Not sure about The Incident, didn't think it had the polish of the first one. The best of this list for me might be Ceolmhar, which was a really straight down the line recording, and got a lot of spins in my house. Of course Dublin Made Me was also excellent - maybe though a bit too clean? Another one which I have just got which needs to be mentioned is the double CD of Vincent Campbell.
The one missing from all these posts so far which might even have claims for inclusion in a best of the decade is Bradley and Clarkson's duet album. By far the most exciting and consistent recording of the year.
# Posted on January 2nd 2010 by continuo
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Agree with daddygaddy on one: Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden & Seamie O'Dowd - "Crossroads"
Great album!
# Posted on January 3rd 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Best Albums of 2009
I'll add my votes to the 2nd Mulcahy family recording, certainly "Pleasures Of Hope" by Harry Bradley and Michael Clarkson, but if forced to choose a single recording from 2009, I'd wholeheartedly recommend "The Open Road", by Steph Geremia.
# Posted on January 3rd 2010 by Kenny
Re: Best Albums of 2009
"Hands" by Little Boots. Wonderful and big-hearted electropop
\())
# Posted on January 4th 2010 by greenman
Re: Best Albums of 2009
no "best" release list for me this year, just "favorite" releases---
mike rafferty & willie kelly: "the new broom"
mulcahy family---me, too
tom carey's release featuring josephine marsh and therese mcinierney,
the kitty hayes live release
pat o'connor and eoin o'sullivan's "conversation at the crossroads"
claire keville, "the daisy field"
james kelly---the cds that come with that book of his compositions.....
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by ceemonster
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Thanks ceemonster i really meant "favourite" albums also. Thanks everyone.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by bigyabby
Re: Best Albums of 2009
"The New Broom" Willie Kelly and Mike Rafferty. Brilliant stuff..
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by mumhain abu
Re: Best Albums of 2009
Thanks for puttin Morga top of the list daddygaddy!!!!!!!!
# Posted on February 14th 2010 by DomdiDom