The interesting thing about this album is that it is very good Trad Irish music performed by a bunch of young musicians from the U.S. Whelan is the seven-time button accordion champion in Ireland, and his playing is terrific. It's not Lawrence Welk and the Champgne Bubbles. Robin Bullock also shows up for some tasty mandolin work. This album is very enjoyable despite the rhythm guitar being a skoach "pop" sounding. They also have a bass in the mix--some cuts sounded like it might have been an electric bass?!? I ended up buying three different CDs recorded by John Whelan in the space of one week.
John gets overlooked too often, despite being a seven time All Ireland button accordian winner. "Come To Dance" is on the Narada label and can currently be purchased as a minimal price. Eileen Ivers contributes excellent fiddle. If you want one CD with a lot of faster paced dance tunes, this is it. I know several Irish Dance schools that use Whelan a lot for dance sessions. I'm not sure if Celtic Tradition is exactly the same set of tunes or studio recordings. Celtic Fire is an album he did with students with bodhran and lively percussion added.
"Come to Dance"
I have this CD, and really like it. The energy and musicianship are wonderful, and I like the combinations of tunes.
# Posted on January 14th 2002 by woman of the house
Come to Dance
The interesting thing about this album is that it is very good Trad Irish music performed by a bunch of young musicians from the U.S. Whelan is the seven-time button accordion champion in Ireland, and his playing is terrific. It's not Lawrence Welk and the Champgne Bubbles. Robin Bullock also shows up for some tasty mandolin work. This album is very enjoyable despite the rhythm guitar being a skoach "pop" sounding. They also have a bass in the mix--some cuts sounded like it might have been an electric bass?!? I ended up buying three different CDs recorded by John Whelan in the space of one week.
# Posted on February 22nd 2002 by dmperry24
Cillian Vallely
I don't think its an electric bass. My favorite track is Dowd's Favourite/O'Gorman's Salute/My Cup Of Coffee with Cillian Vallely on uilleann pipes.
-Max
# Posted on November 28th 2003 by Max Becher
Great CD
John gets overlooked too often, despite being a seven time All Ireland button accordian winner. "Come To Dance" is on the Narada label and can currently be purchased as a minimal price. Eileen Ivers contributes excellent fiddle. If you want one CD with a lot of faster paced dance tunes, this is it. I know several Irish Dance schools that use Whelan a lot for dance sessions. I'm not sure if Celtic Tradition is exactly the same set of tunes or studio recordings. Celtic Fire is an album he did with students with bodhran and lively percussion added.
# Posted on May 12th 2005 by CeolCairdeas