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At First Light
Michael McGoldrick & John McSherry
Compass Records
- Lowest new price: $17.98
- Lowest used price: $17.98
Farewell To Connaught- Rolling Waves
- Doinna
- Ornette's Trip To Belfast
- Lucy Campbell's
- Lady Lane
- Trip To Ireland
- The Bloom Of Youth
- Lacey's Jig
- The Graf Spee
- Road To Taynuilt
Average customer rating:
what a couple!
They are two of the most amazing musicians in the celtic music planet and this is a new extraordinary album. Thanks to Mc & Mc.
Their best work since first Lunasa CD
Nice 'reunion' CD from two founding members of Lunasa. That original self-titled release showed a promise I don't feel has been realized on the band's two follow ups. 'At First Light' marks a return to the musicianship of that original title from 1998. Emphasis is on pipes and flute, with a nice sound balance between the two. There is also tasteful accompaniment on guitar and bouzouki, with some keyboards and bass thrown in as well.
Where McGoldrick's CD 'Fused' took a more modern approach to the production, 'At First Light' is a return to a more traditional vein. The arrangements are often straightforward but very musical.
Hard to pick out favorite tracks, as this is a good consistent title. The two Mikes really get going on such numbers as Farewell to Connaught, Rolling Waves, John Nee's/Lucy Campbell's, and Michael O'Dwyer's. Mike McGoldrick has stand out flute moments on Willie Clancey's, Farewell to Whalley Range, and Phyllis's Birthday. Occasionally he will strap on the pipes as well and you get a rare double uilleann dose. There's also some nice low whistle work. In fact, as on the Lunasa CD, one of my favorite tracks features two of them at once (Donald Blue/Ornette's Trip to Belfast).
This is one of the more enjoyable U.S. released titles I've bought recently. And now that the first Lunasa CD is available here, I'd definitely recommend that as well. Great playing, overall good tunes and not so much of the jarring transitions in tune sets that the band has gotten into in later releases.
If you have ever enjoyed listening to tunes, buy this CD
This album carves itself a niche along side the most elite in the history of recorded Irish music. The energy, unsurpassed talent and creativity in this all instrumental CD will appeal to both staunch traddies as well as people just looking to dabble in "Celtic" music. From start to finish it holds up to even the closest scrutiny...and it's McGold-RICK.