The
Best of Irish Traditional Music
Outlet CDFOLK 901; 2 CDs; 102
minutes; 1999
Belfast’s
Outlet label was a prodigious producer of compilation albums, seemingly engaged
in an eternal project to recycle its back catalogue through as many different
releases as possible. Some of the results have been frankly forgettable
(especially some of the folk song compilations), but The Best of Irish
Traditional Music serves its purpose well as an excellent introduction to
the label. However, it must be stated that the title of this collection is
somewhat misleading since all the tracks are at least twenty years old and, of
course, are limited to the label’s own output. Still, as a sample of what
traditional music sounded like in the 1970s, it is hard to beat and good value
to boot. 
The
first disc is organised formulaically with each musician or group allocated two
tracks, one following the other. It is also top-heavy with accordions, the
featured musicians including Finbarr Dwyer from County Cork, Kevin Loughlin
from Fermanagh and Joe Burke from Galway. The last named also features on two
tracks gleaned from his Two Champions album recorded with Seán McGuire
who, in turn, dominates much of the remainder, appearing on four tracks (two
with the Sligo flute-player Roger Sherlock). Other to grace this disc include
the now almost forgotten Na Filí, a trio which was very popular in the 1970s
and included in its ranks fiddler Matt Cranitch (now of Sliabh Notes) and the
Seán Ryan Trio, while the closing two tracks are devoted to Séamus Tansey.
Disc
two is more varied and begins with a set of tunes from Dinny O’Brien and Family
from Dublin whose numbers included a very young Michael on uilleann pipes.
Another young musician to be featured on this disc is accordionist John Whelan,
caught in the act at the age of fourteen. Kevin Loughlin pops up again in
conjunction with fiddler John Gordon and pianist Mairéad McCann while other
duos include fiddler Ted Furey with Brendan Byrne on bodhrán and Séamus Tansey
and accordionist Joe Sheridan.
Also
present are a couple of tracks from fiddler Josephine Keegan, plus two from the
original album entitled Cherish the Ladies, made by flute player Peg
McGrath, fiddler Kathleen Smyth and pianist Mary Mulholland. There’s also space
for a pair from the Pride of Erin Céilí Band, led by Lawrence Nugent’s father
Seán and, lastly, from the fiddling brothers John and James Kelly.
If
you’re interested in this particular era, then another Outlet double album
compilation, Festival of Irish Traditional Music (CHCD 1037) might
appeal. It features virtually the same musicians, though with many different
tunes. However, the liner consists only of advertisements for other Outlet
products.
This is an original review by Geoff Wallis.
As
Outlet is now defunct, this album may be difficult to track down.