Frankie Gavin, Malachy Bourke & Brian Bourke: The Master’s Return: A Tribute to Paddy Killoran | Album Review

Listening to The Master's Return: A Tribute to Paddy Killoran is an experience akin to Woody Allen's screen clan cocking an ear to the wireless on Radio Days: hearing the spry notes hop and skip through the ether conjures worlds long gone, but hankered after, for all their devil-may-care nonchalance.

Paddy Killoran was mentored by the great Sligo fiddler, Michael Coleman, when both were émigré fiddlers in New York back in the 20s and 30s. His style was fuelled by a wild and wily internal combustion engine.

This collection is to fiddle playing what sean nós is to dancing: loose-limbed, carefree and full of iridescent shuffles that send the listener scarpering back for more.

Brian Bourke’s bodhrán offers the tunes a tawny post, to be circled with deliciously unpredictable consequences.

A pure delight.