The Irish Concertina 2
2005, Noel Hill. (NHCD 002)
ORDERING:
Europe: The Living Tradition
USA: The Button Box
Canada: PaulsFinest.com
REVIEW BY DAVID KIDMAN; www.netrhythms.com
It doesn’t seem long since I reviewed a “dangerously exhilarating” duo release by Anglo-concertina maestro Noel and button accordionist Tony MacMahon which teamed them up in 1985 in a Knocknagree pub.
The very same description could apply equally to this tremendously uplifting new release, a solo set from Noel (albeit selectively and variously accompanied) that forms an official (if very much belated!) sequel to his classic recording of 1988 The Irish Concertina.
Noel’s playing – at whatever tempo, fast or slow – has such an abundantly attractive lilting quality that you can’t fail to be captivated. Unusually among concertina players, Noel’s distinctly and audibly influenced by Uillean piping techniques (listen to the Humours Of Ballyloughlin double jig – track 2 – or the hornpipe set at track 11, for instance). Yet it’s perhaps Noel’s musicality that’s the overriding, nay overwhelming quality here, and it’s apparent right from the first notes he plays on the opening set of reels, for, riding right in tandem with his innate easy virtuosity, that incredible musicality never lets up, whether he’s niftily squeezing out the notes and nuances or easing aside by judicious phrasing in order to let other musicians into the forefront of the clearly defined texture he’s enabled.
The epithet “other musicians” is but a tag of convenience, giving little indication of their brilliance and understanding of their role/s – yet when their roster comprises Alec Finn (bouzouki), Arty Mc Glynn and Steve Cooney (guitars), Liam O’Connor (fiddle), and Brian McGrath (keyboards), well you just know nothing can go wrong. Their judgement in terms of dynamic shading and positioning is unimpaired by ego, yet the perfection in their roleplaying doesn’t bring even a trace of unwelcome staleness. The ensemble work is outstanding, and I specially liked the set of reels on the final track, Liam’s fiddle faultlessly conjoining with Noel’s melody line and brilliantly reflected in the sparkling, rippling guitars and piano accompanying.
But then again I can’t resist replaying track 5 (the strathspeys & reel set – another unusual choice for an Irish player, you might think, but hey it works!) and the gorgeous slow air Boulavogue (track 8). And the driving set of polkas (track 7), and the breathtaking set of reels (track 9).
What a superb CD – anyone remotely interested in expert concertina playing just must get a copy.
David Kidman
REVIEW BY IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE, February 2006
Eighteen years in between solo recordings; Noel Hill releases his
second solo album entitled The Irish Concertina Two, obvious title
when you think about it.
In the meantime artists have taken to releasing recordings on their own
labels and now Noel adds his tuppenceworth to the DIY traditional music industry. To say that this album is long awaited is akin to asking a Chinaman where is Hong Kong. However the fact is that it is now here and it delivers the promise outlined by its predecessor The Irish Concertina
in 1988.
This time Noel gathers a number of recordings made within the last few years in the company of Arty McGlynn, Alee Finn, Steve Cooney, Brian McGrath and Liam O'Connor to some delicious solo performances to create a killer of an album.
Hearing the Hill fingers push the buttons on 'Farrell O'Gara' does the business and this is concertina playing of an exemplary nature.
One of the big piping jigs 'The Humours of Ballyloughlin' is rendered with the due respect while airs like 'The Mountains of Pomeroy' and 'Boulavogue' are recast with a new shimmering beauty.
The backing is solid and top class while two extended sets'Boys of Ballisadare' and 'The Wind that shakes the Barley' simmer for 5 and 6 minutes of controlled excitement.
'The Irish Concertina Two' is a masterclass of traditional expertise and musical accomplishment.
John O'Regan
Home | Music | Discography | Biography | Photos | School
©
2001-2006 Noel Hill
Web site courtesy of Maha PowerEx Canada