Tommy Potts is one of those people who sits on that blurry line between genius & nut-job. This album has been dementing my view of fiddle music for about 10 years now. These are all common tunes - but unless you're familiar with this recording, you've probably never quite heard them played this way. Just fiddle - no backing, no one could back him anyway. For some Realaudio clips check out http://www.claddaghrecords.com/cc13.htm
This album is really a must have.
yes,demented is n't a bad description and it's an album i dare n't play too much at the moment unless prompted by various alchoholic stimulants etc...
as someone said,to play like this you must be really steeped in the tradition!
one to listen to,certainly- but i'm not so sure about learning tunes from this album;well,not for the likes of me anyway.
as brad says,a must have
He takes a bit of getting used to, but it's hard to match his version of My Love is in America. It's a sign of a master fiddler that he goes off on these ex-tempore variations with little regard to the standard phrasing of the tune, while still making it sound great.
Nut-job...I don't think so. Genius - more than very likely. Inspiration: definitely. I have avoided listening to this recording and attempting to emulate it as I afear that I would be lost and not find my return. His settings are smoke-like and impossibly elusive. I think he will be regarded by future generations as the player who most retained his individuality when playing. After all, it was originally an individualistic artistic/religious/soulful expression afore coming twained inextricably with the dance.
Sadly the recordings of his art are few.
Rumour has it that one prominent fiddler has thoughts about recording a tribute in the same vein as "Cooley".
This recording should bring joy and consternation to all fortunate enough to hear it.
Tommy Potts
Tommy Potts is one of those people who sits on that blurry line between genius & nut-job. This album has been dementing my view of fiddle music for about 10 years now. These are all common tunes - but unless you're familiar with this recording, you've probably never quite heard them played this way. Just fiddle - no backing, no one could back him anyway. For some Realaudio clips check out
http://www.claddaghrecords.com/cc13.htm
This album is really a must have.
# Posted on September 9th 2002 by Mad Baloney
Going potty...
i was wondering when this one would appear!
yes,demented is n't a bad description and it's an album i dare n't play too much at the moment unless prompted by various alchoholic stimulants etc...
as someone said,to play like this you must be really steeped in the tradition!
one to listen to,certainly- but i'm not so sure about learning tunes from this album;well,not for the likes of me anyway.
as brad says,a must have
# Posted on September 10th 2002 by biggus dave
Inclined to agree
He takes a bit of getting used to, but it's hard to match his version of My Love is in America. It's a sign of a master fiddler that he goes off on these ex-tempore variations with little regard to the standard phrasing of the tune, while still making it sound great.
# Posted on September 16th 2002 by Conán McDonnell
Nut-job...I don't think so. Genius - more than very likely. Inspiration: definitely. I have avoided listening to this recording and attempting to emulate it as I afear that I would be lost and not find my return. His settings are smoke-like and impossibly elusive. I think he will be regarded by future generations as the player who most retained his individuality when playing. After all, it was originally an individualistic artistic/religious/soulful expression afore coming twained inextricably with the dance.
Sadly the recordings of his art are few.
Rumour has it that one prominent fiddler has thoughts about recording a tribute in the same vein as "Cooley".
This recording should bring joy and consternation to all fortunate enough to hear it.
Michael.
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by Greenwiggle