| ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN THE MORNING. The full sweep of Irish history shines
through the music of the Emerald Isles on this album. The
entwined sounds of harp and dulcimer on the poignant slow
airs and the irresistibly danceable jigs, reels and
hornpipes arouse memories and pride in the heart of the
Irish listener With this recording Mitzie Collins, a
graduate of the Eastman School of Music, celebrates her
Irish heritage; her great-grandfather Dennis Collins
emigrated from County Cork as a young man. Her deep
affection for Irish music has grown as she has
specialized in music for the hammered dulcimer and has
become one of America's virtuosos on that instrument. CONTENTS
/ REVIEWS. |
HILLS OF LORNE. The soaring sound of
Hazel Stewart's fiddle leads this exceptional collection
of Scottish tunes. Hazel, born in Elgin, Scotland,
represents her family's third generation of fiddlers -
she plays with the sureness of one born to the tradition.
1984 Northeastern U.S. Scottish Fiddling Champion, Hazel
won a strong following with the ensemble
"Thistledown" at Scottish games and folk
festivals in the Northeast. A favorite item for many gift
shops, both large and small, Hills of Lorne is
that amazing recording that remains continuously
interesting no matter how many times it is played. The
essence of Scottish music is portrayed in the range of
selections - from intense marches and jigs, to reflective
and poignant slow airs. CONTENTS
/ REVIEWS. |
| TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC. In the town of Clifden, County Galway,
the ancient folk traditions of Ireland were very much
alive during the boyhood of William F. Sullivan. Born in
1909, he grew up immersed in the folk music and culture
which pervade.that land. When he emigrated to New York
City in 1927, he brought with him his love of Irish
music. Galway native William Sullivan arrived in New York
in 1927 and played regularly with popular musicians and
friends such as the Sligo Fiddlers Michael Coleman, Lad
O'Beirne, Peter Conlan, Martin Malone, and his maternal
uncle Joe Lamont He has no formal training, but sat in on
sessions with legendary musicians like Larry Redican,
Louis Quinn and Pete Conlon and developed a rich personal
style of ornamentation and an impeccable ear for tunes.
Originally released on cassette, 4 additional selections
of solo accordion playing have been added to the CD..
. This hour-long cassette - his
only commercial recording - contains 35 tunes played with
the driving rhythms and unbounded energy of a traditional
Irish evening. Our sadness at Sullivan's sudden death in
August of 1989 is tempered by our happy memories of his
never flagging enthusiasm for dance tunes, his bemused
acceptance of his late-in-life recognition, and his
genuine joy in sharing his music. CONTENTS / REVIEWS. |
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