Toss the Fiddles
The Philadelphia Céilí Group’s
27th Annual Festival of Irish Music and Dance
Own label – no number; 64 minutes; 2002
Rummaging through that section of my CD collection that houses
compilation albums the other day I encountered this album and, reflecting on
its provenance, could neither recall ever visiting Philadelphia (and I’m sure I
would) nor the exact location where I had purchased the CD. So I guess the
album must have been delivered by the CD fairies. Stick a tooth under your
pillow when your six and next morning discover a newly arrived sixpence (or,
inflation considered, 5p). Do it when you’re, how best to put it, in the prime
of life and a CD (or a request for urgent funding from a relative of the
Nigerian Minister of Commerce) is probably the result. 
No matter its origins, this album is an absolute delight and features
half a dozen fiddlers and their accompanists recorded during the festival which
took place in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia on the 8th September.
Unusually, the album’s producers have adhered to the festival’s running
order in organising their selection of extracts. However, sadly, their CD’s
liner booklet provides absolutely no details about the musicians appearing at the
concert nor the tunes they played, but instead devotes almost an entire page of
its limited two-sheet spread to acknowledgements. Obviously, it’s far more
important to thank Paula & Jo Wholey than provide information about the
fiddlers appearing on the album. Sure, five of the six are well known, but some
information about the other, Brendan Callahan, might have been useful. And,
while the compilers were composing their felicitations that they might also
have proofed the tune titles listed.
Anyway, for your money, should this CD still be available, the
musicians on offer, in addition to the aforementioned Brendan Callahan, provide
a reasonable synopsis of the state of Irish fiddling, as presented to a concert
audience, in 2001. Dezi Donnelly is as raw and rugged as one might expect, but
enjoyment of Tommy Peoples is debilitated by some woefully over-elaborate
guitar accompaniment from Seán Tyrrell. Brendan Mulvihill zips rhythmically
along in partnership with accordionist Billy McComiskey while Cathal Hayden’s
fiddle is as resonant as ever on The Home Ruler (and his compadre from
Four Men and a Dog, Kevin Doherty, knows exactly how to understate
accompaniment – pay attention Mr Tyrrell!).
Lastly, there’s Liz Carroll and thus, I’m afraid to announce, I must
reach a watershed. I certainly appreciate Liz’s skill (and guitarists should
also pay heed to the work of her accompanist, John Doyle, here), but her
playing has never failed to underwhelm me. Sure, I can appreciate the twists
and turns of her tunes, but I’ve never been able to spot the slightest glimmer
of passion. This is a very personal opinion, so please don’t write in to berate
me for my failure.
Geoff Wallis
12th April, 2006
Check www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org for more information about this album.