Various artists: "The Foil Collection 2"
Topic TSCD 481 (69 mins)
Surely one of the most ludicrously selected compilations on release, Folk Collection 2 showcases the crown of English folk music, with two odd exceptions - Ron Kavana singing the self composed Kilshannig Wager acappella, and Four Men and a Dog who feature with a good but non folk song. This quibble aside, there is nothing but positive things to say.
Everyone who should be here is here. Martin Carthy with Brass Monkey opens with The Fox Hunt, followed by his remarkable daughter Eliza, singing and playing with their brio typical of her family style - The Light Dragoon. From the mooody atmospherics of Andrew Cronshaw to the heart of traditional singing with Shirley Collins on Brigg Fair, from the spine chilling depths of June Tabor's contralto voice on Eric Bogle's No Man's Land, to Nic Jones, John Kirkpatrick, and finally, Norma Waterson en famille, this collection is a cracker.
John Williams: "John Williams"
Green Linnet GLCD 1157 (43 mins)
This album marks the solo debut of Chicago born concertina and accordion player, John Williams. It also marks the valedictory recording of the late Micho Russell. More than 50 years and thousands of miles separated this pair, but the bonds that bound them were the enduring ones of music and place, and the music of place.
Williams's father and grandfather were born in Doolin, as were highly regarded musicians such as Russell. On the two tracks here, where the young and the old musicians play together, the sense of connectedness is palpable.
From the busy accomplished playing of the first three tracks, where the contemporary idiom of individual expression is invoked, the register changes to embrace the older strain.
John Williams is a musician of remarkable sophistication, even for this day and age, moving easily between opposites - from box to concertina and from the dense, filled in spaces of Thady Casey's/The Eel in the Sink/Last Night's Fun, to masterful understatement on the air The Bright Hollow Fog, to seamless duet playing with Martin Hayes.
Various artists: Irish Dance Music
Topic TSCD 602 (70 mins)
Superbly edited and annotated by Reg Hall, his compiltatins also from Topic, illustrates a sometimes forgotten phase in Irish traditional music recording history, namely commercially recorded Irish dance music. This is predominantly the music of the Irish dance hall, particularly the dance halls of Irish communities in Britain and the US, although important Irish recordings feature also.
Four tracks and 70 minutes long, and not hi fi, Irish Dance Music is a fascinating anthology, not least for the remarkable range and diversity of voices, styles, repertoires and renditions assembled on this album. Witness the wild pulsating fiddle and accordion playing of Frank Quinn and P. Crowley, recorded in New York in 1926, as against the practiced accomplishments of Michael Coleman, recorded in the same city in 1922. Recordings of early ceilidh band prototypes such as the London based Tara, the Irish Siamsa Gaedhal Ceilidhe Band, and the pioneering Ballinakill, are included.
Raise The Rafters: "Raise the Rafters" Celtic Prime Leisure Records CCD 002 (55 Mins)
Popular and regular players at Cruise's Pub in Ennis. Raise the Rafters are flute player Kevin Crawford, box player P.J. King and singer/guitarist, Martin O'Malley. RTR's stock in trade is infectious dance music augmented by contemporary folksong material. The album impresses as an authentic recreation on vinyl of the live band. There is an excitement and dash to the performances that conjures up a loyal, appreciative audience, making for confident, feel good music and pleasant listening.
Preponderantly instrumental the rapport between flute and box is close and fruitful, particularly so on the Reel of Bogey and on the set of reels Billy Brocker/Eddie Moloney/The Otter's Holt, where their unity of purpose displays itself in light fingered agility. This vocal material suffers from a sameness in delivery and accompaniment, with the notable exception of Cold Blow Winds, with its sparkling guitar and mandolin backing.
