Out of Thin Air review: a baroque pipe line to the past

FIACHRA O’REGAN, LAWRENCE O’HEARN & MALO CARVOUOut of Thin Air ****Independent release

Out Of Thin Air
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Artist: Fiachra O'Regan, Lawrence O'Hearn & Malo Carvou
Genre: Traditional
Label: Independent Release

The unmistakable influence of The Chieftains is writ large across the opening sets of this finely wrought collection. The French Canadian/Irish trio of piper Fiachra O'Regan, tin whistle player Lawrence O'Hearn and flute player Malo Carvou bring a fresh impetus to their chosen tunes, with a distinct bias towards material that reaches back in time, such as O'Carolan's Planxty George Brabazon and Lady Dillon.

O'Hearn is also a baroque oboist, and his whistle playing is, somehow, beautifully upright. There's a distinctly baroque quality to the pairing of Malo Carvou's flute with guest viola player, Gilles Apap on Malou's slow air, The Mist in the Glen. Bodhrán player Niall McQuaid add further body to the mix.

O'Regan's piping is characteristically subtle, unfussily anchoring the trio, particularly on the highstepping The Ladies' Pantalettes. lawrenceohearn.com

Siobhán Long

Siobhán Long

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