"The Phantom Shadows of a Connaught Fire", Seamus Tansey's three CD album, almost didn't see the light of day. It was rejected by five of the most respected recording companies that handle Irish music (you'll have to buy the album to find out which ones!), as too big to handle and difficult to market. Considering Tansey's stature and the respect that fluters everywhere have for him, this is hard to understand.
Anyway, which Michael Lord of the Dance Flatley's sponsorship, a small group of friends artesanally produced the 3 CDs, about three and a half hours of music and narration. The result is... a long album, and something that you will probably want to set time apart to listen to, carefully.
If you haven't been introduced to Seamus Tansey's playing, this is a far better album to start with than the more easily available--but inferior--Easter Snow. If you already know and like him, than you will love this album.
Here Seamus is obviously trying to set down his legacy, recalling his first notes on the tin whistle and the later years of playing Irish music when it was uncool in Ireland, explaining his musical values, and illustrating everything with forcefull music.
Seamus Tansey plays flute, "3/4 flute" and whistles. Josie McDonagh, Brendan Drury and May Dodd Hernon contribute competent bodhran, handstruck. John Cokley and Phil Cunningham show up sometimes on piano and organ.
The Phantom Shadows Of A Connaught Fire
"The Phantom Shadows of a Connaught Fire", Seamus Tansey's three CD album, almost didn't see the light of day. It was rejected by five of the most respected recording companies that handle Irish music (you'll have to buy the album to find out which ones!), as too big to handle and difficult to market. Considering Tansey's stature and the respect that fluters everywhere have for him, this is hard to understand.
Anyway, which Michael Lord of the Dance Flatley's sponsorship, a small group of friends artesanally produced the 3 CDs, about three and a half hours of music and narration. The result is... a long album, and something that you will probably want to set time apart to listen to, carefully.
If you haven't been introduced to Seamus Tansey's playing, this is a far better album to start with than the more easily available--but inferior--Easter Snow. If you already know and like him, than you will love this album.
Here Seamus is obviously trying to set down his legacy, recalling his first notes on the tin whistle and the later years of playing Irish music when it was uncool in Ireland, explaining his musical values, and illustrating everything with forcefull music.
Seamus Tansey plays flute, "3/4 flute" and whistles. Josie McDonagh, Brendan Drury and May Dodd Hernon contribute competent bodhran, handstruck. John Cokley and Phil Cunningham show up sometimes on piano and organ.
Available from Custy's (http://www.custysmusic.com) and other fine places.
# Posted on December 21st 2002 by glauber