Celtic Airs

by Barry Douglas, Chris Stout, Eimear McGeown, Catriona McKay

Overview

This is a low-key, middle-of-the-road set of arrangements of Irish folk tunes, and as such, it has no shortage of competition in the market. However, it stands apart from these, and for anyone who likes arrangements straddling the folk-classical line, it may be recommended. The unusual feature is that it's a non-Irish instrument, Barry Douglas' piano, that takes center stage. The arrangements are by Douglas himself, and while they don't vary greatly from one to another, they're quite attractive, setting off fiddle, harp, flute, and tin whistle against the piano in various ways. The album can be listened to for relaxation, but also with closer attention to the ways Douglas reproduces folk ornamentation at the keyboard. The general mood is contemplative throughout, however; you're not going to hear vigorous dances here. But you do get a nice mixture of really familiar tunes and lesser-known items. Sample one of the former, such as "The Minstrel Boy," for a taste of the whole: despite the sentimental mood and the universally known tune, there's nothing hackneyed about what Douglas is doing. The auditorium and studio sound from Cork University fits the project well. Recommended for Irish music lovers of all stripes except the rawest. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	10/28/2016
Label:	Chandos
UPC:	0095115193426
Rank:	140181

Tracks

1. Ballyvaughan Pier / The RuneScape Jig / Secret Circle Reel
2. Brendan's Air
3. The Foggy Dew
4. Fear a' Bhata (The Boatman)
5. The Fields of Athenry
6. Planxty Irwin
7. The Minstrel Boy
8. R¿¿is¿¿n Dubh (Black-haired Rose)
9. Molly Malone
10. Buachaill ¿¿n ¿¿irne (A boy from Erne-side)
11. On Raglan Road
12. The Star of the Country Down
13. Master McGrath
14. The Lark in the Clear Air
15. Mn¿¿ na H¿¿ireann (The Women of Ireland)
16. Barry's Reels
17. Unst Bridal March
18. ¿¿r¿¿ ''s¿¿ do bheatha abhaile (You are welcome home)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Barry Douglas   Primary Artist,Piano
Catriona McKay   Primary Artist,Scottish Harp
Chris Stout   Primary Artist,Fiddle
Eimear McGeown   Primary Artist,Irish Flute,Irish Whistle

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Turlough O'Carolan   Composer
Chris Stout   Composer
Sean O Riada   Composer
Peadar O Riada   Composer
Irish Traditional   Composer
Brendan Monaghan   Composer
Eimear McGeown   Composer
Jonathan Cooper   Editing,Engineer,Recording Producer
Catriona McKay   Composer
Pete St. John   Composer
Cathal Goan   Liner Notes
Finn S. Gundersen   Booklet Editor
Andreas Klatt   Liner Note Translation
Barry Douglas   Arranger,Piano Arrangement
Marianne Fernee   Liner Note Translation
Sue Shortridge   A&R
Eugene Langan   Cover Photo
Christopher Terroni   Piano Technician
Marius Kasteckas   Cover Photo