Buy it now from Amazon

The Quiet Glen/An Gleann Ciuin

Tommy Peoples

©1998 Tommy Peoples Publishing, Toonagh Ennis, Co.

• List price: $34.99
• Lowest new price: $28.86
• Lowest used price: $19.95

Average customer rating:

It's "The Quiet GLEN"

My impression of Tommy Peoples was formed by his early albums, which are charismatic and passionate, but sometimes rather rough-hewn. He's mellowed with age: he still has the passion, and the mastery of his instrument, but the "stutter" that characterized his style (and, I felt, sometimes got in the way of the tunes) is now used more discreetly for emphasis. I saw him perform recently (at one of the small "house concerts" on his current U.S. tour), and this CD conveys the feeling admirably. Many of the tunes are Peoples' own compositions, and range from the lovely title tune (played as both a slow air and a jig) to the funny "The fat cat" to the melancholy "The coffin ships." His renditions of traditional tunes are flawless, too, notably the somber "The green fields of America" set. This CD is more readily available in the U.S. now that Peoples has arrived with a trunkload of them, and I'm enjoying it thoroughly.

Absolute brilliance!

The Quiet Glen (An Gleann Ciúin) is the latest recording by master fiddle-player Tommy Peoples from Donegal, and it serves to confirm his position as undisputed king of Irish fiddle music. He has included many of his own compositions on this album, and they are excellent - as you would expect from Tommy Peoples, combining his talent for innovation without compromising his rich traditional musical heritage - the true sign of genius, in my book. He has guitar accompaniment on the album, which is not really necessary, but having said that, it is unobtrusive and tasteful. There are not many Irish fiddle albums of this calibre around, so I recommend it strongly!