To clarify,
Celtic Fiddle Festival
is a band, not an event, made up of three fiddlers covering some of the spectrum of
Celtic
music -- Ireland, France, and Quebec -- along with guitarist
Ged Foley
, who's easily the hardest-working man on this disc, not only accompanying everyone, but also having a track to himself with the lovingly executed pipe tune
"Sir Syndey Smith's March,"
adapted for guitar. Although there's plenty of power on the four tracks where everyone plays, there's far more subtlety in the duos which explores traditions a little more, especially
"The Sligo Maid"
set which commemorates the late Irish fiddler
Tommy McGowan
and features the splendid work of
Kevin Burke
, who's largely a legend these days himself. But everyone here is of the same high standard, and when the fiddlers have a chance to stretch out a little, it's a joy, and
Andre Brunet
works up quite a head of steam on the
"Jig De Valcartier"
set, while the
"Gavottes Pourled"
from
Christian Lemaitre
are a dancing joy. But then again, the whole album is a delight, especially if you're a fiddle fan. ~ Chris Nickson