Consider the Source - Brian Conway

Consider the Source le Brian Conway ag  #2 ar Liosta Ceol Traidisiúnta 2008 ag Earle Hitchner.

Choosing between this second solo album by fiddler Brian Conway and the second solo album by Billy McComiskey for the top spot in this list was unnervingly difficult. Both are outstanding, and what makes the selection even more vexing is that this solo CD by Conway is better than his first, "First Through the Gate," which  was the Irish Echo's No. 1 trad album of 2002. Born in the Bronx and now living in White Plains, N.Y., he performs here with more detail, subtlety, playfulness, and punch. Brian Conway has never been more comfortable in his own musical skin than on "Consider the Source," to which I contributed an essay. The jigs "Keys to the Convent / The Knockawhinna / Teviot Bridge" trace the compact invention with which he climbs in register and then nimbly descends, all the while holding firm to the melodic spine. "Matt Hyland," sung by Dan Milner, and "Highland Mary," sung by Niamh Parsons, illustrate an oft-overlooked aspect of his fiddling art: skillfully nuanced support for singing. Joined by such guests as Billy McComiskey, Joanie Madden, and Brendan and Felix Dolan, Brian Conway gives us his finest musical achievement to date.

Earle Hitchner, Echo Nation, Irish Echo, 21-27 Eanáir 2009

Tá an cháil ar Bhrian Conway gurb é an ceoltóir is fearr i stíl Shligigh-Nua-Eabhraic é, agus is cinnte go gcuirfidh an t-albam nua seo uaidh tuilleadh leis an gcáil sin.  Ina chuid nótaí don albam, deir Earle Hitchner go bhfuil fianaise san albam seo ar dhul chun cinn Bhrian Conway ina chuid ceoil, agus go bhfuil an tionchar atá ag an uirlis nua atá aige le sonrú go smior ann.  Fidil de chuid Degani atá i gceist anseo, gléas a cheannaigh Brian tá sé bliana ó shin agus a bhfuil an-tionchar imeartha aige ar a chuid ceoil.  Tá sé féin den tuairim go bhfuil feabhas tagtha ar an gceol sin le haois chomh maith agus go bhfuil fuinneamh agus spraoi níos mó le brath ann anois.  Deir Earle Hitchner go bhfuil cothromaíocht i gceol Bhrian idir an stíl, an chruthaitheacht agus ómós d'fhoinsí an cheoil, rud atá le tabhairt faoi deara chomh maith i dteideal an albaim, a thagraíonn ní hamháin d'fhoinsí na bhfonn ach do stair na stíle chomh maith, a thug imircigh, leithéidí Mhichael Coleman agus James Morrison, leo as Sligeach go Nua-Eabhrac sa chéad seo caite.

Tá rogha breá ceoil ar an albam seo chomh maith le fonn mall agus dhá amhrán, ráite ag Dan Milner agus Niamh Parsons.  Tá tionlacan le Brendan Dolan, Joanie Madden, Billy McComiskey, Felix Dolan, John Nolan, Eamon O'Leary, Heather Martin Bixler, Gabe Donohue agus Brad Albetta.

Brian Conway is considered the leading player in the Sligo-New York style of playing, and this, his second solo album, is described by Earle Hitchner in the introduction as ‘a striking document of his evolving virtuosity, musicality and the inspiration and pleasure that come from playing such a responsive instrument for the past six years.'  The instrument in question is a Degani violin purchased by Conway six years ago which he feels has had a huge influence on his playing.  He also appreciates the development in his playing over the years: ‘I think my playing has gotten better with age.  There's more fun and energy in my fiddling.  I also have these excellent students, and working and playing with them has improved my techniques and made me examine more closely the structure of a tune and the relationship between bowing and phrasing.'  Earle Hitchner says of the playing: ‘Brian brings to his music an enviable equilibrium of style, substance, taste, imagination and deference to the past'.  This deference to the past is also reflected in the title of the album, Consider the Source, a reference to both the importance of the source of the music and also the style of playing which originated, of course, in Co. Sligo and was brought across the Atlantic by such musical greats as Michael Coleman and James Morrison.

The album includes a large selection of tunes as well as a slow air and two songs, sung by Dan Milner and Niamh Parsons respectively.  Brian is accompanied on the album by Brendan Dolan, Joanie Madden, Billy McComiskey, Felix Dolan, John Nolan, Eamon O'Leary, Heather Martin Bixler, Gabe Donohue and Brad Albetta.