Fusion

The latest CD release reviewed

CAOIMHÍN Ó RAGHALLAIGH
Where the One-Eyed Man Is King ***

This is more an exploratory series of musings than a collection. Fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh pushes and pulls, tweaks and tinkers with a handful of traditional base tunes, unpicking the bow hand and reducing it to its elemental form. It's far removed from traditional tradition, with Ó Raghallaigh loosening the ties that bound him, body and soul, to the lilt and loll of regional style.

At times it floats rudderless, but March of the One Legged Dog and The Bright and Shining - more Donnacha Dennehy than Pádraig O'Keeffe - whisper of a musician in search of his own voice in the myriad of others. Ó Raghallaigh's chutzpah might benefit from a touch more diligence, but one suspects that therein lies the genius unfurling. www.stateofchassis.com

Download tracks: Braes of Balquidder, Siocháin