Ciarán Tourish
Down the Line
Compass Records 7 4407 2; 38 minutes; 2005
Albums
which take years to record sometimes turn out to be works of genius, but more
often than not tend to lack cohesion and so it goes with this debut solo release
by the Altan fiddler. A chat with the affable Ciarán at the 2002 Finsbury Park
Fleadh revealed that he planned to issue his album shortly, but it’s taken
another three years to appear since then.
Anyone familiar with Altan’s work
will be well aware of Ciarán’s prowess as a fiddler and the man from County
Donegal certainly demonstrates all his strengths, wonderful twists and turns
and the knowledge when to play and when not to play a grace note and, for the
most part, that powerful driving Donegal style. The last is well revealed by
one of the ‘big’ tunes of the county, Lord Gordon’s Reel and a fabulous
set of tunes which concludes with that Sligo favourite Famous Ballymote.
There’s also a fine personal composition, the rolling Carlisle Bay Waltz
and a beautifully evocative whistle rendition of Port na bPúcai.
My
earlier mention of inconsistency in this case refers to the album’s three songs
which, admirable though the performances of Paul Brady, Tim O’Brien, and Maura
O’Connell may be, leave one wishing that the fiddler had opted for a thorough
examination of his skills. At times too, as on Oldtown, the album is
heavily reminiscent of Dónal Lunny’s recordings with Coolfin. Overall, Down
the Line is definitely not an also-ran, but more of a good each-way bet.
This review by Geoff Wallis first appeared in Songlines
– www.songlines.co.uk.
For more information Compass
Records visit www.compassrecords.com.