Liam Kelly & Philip Duffy: Sets In Stone | Album Review

Sets In Stone
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Artist: Liam Kelly & Philip Duffy
Genre: Traditional
Label: Independent Release

Sligo has a reputation for its richly rhythmic flute style, and Dervish’s Liam Kelly is one of its finest exponents.

His previous solo album, 2009's Sweetwood, is a gorgeous, genteel collection. This second album, recorded at arm's length from the band with which he's most closely associated, is another finely calibrated collection, characterised by a deeply intuitive collaboration with fiddle player Philip Duffy.

Sligo fiddle masters’ influences abound (Coleman, Morrison and Killoran) but the real strength of this collection lies in the musicians’ marriage of lesser-known local heroes (Kevin Henry, John Egan and Jim Coleman) with tunes from contemporary composers, including Chicago piano accordion player Jimmy Keane.

John Joe Kelly's bodhrán accompaniment is a joy, particularly on the reel set, McGovern's Favourite.

Siobhán Long

Siobhán Long

Siobhán Long, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about traditional music and the wider arts