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The Guide to Irish Traditional Music by Fintan Vaallely
CD Compilation
5/ Free reeds - concertina, melodeon and accordion
Concertina, an instrument associated with styles and common practice in Co. Clare, is the expert domain of Niall Vallely of the group Nomos, who with clipped repeat-notes leads with his own slip jig 30th Anniversary in to the old Whinny Hills of Leitrim with Mel Mercier's magnificently-pitched, syncopated and multi tracked percussion.
The rhythmic patterning of set-dancers' feet - with euphoric, exclamatory punctuation - is the extraordinarily imaginative Clare melodeon player Bobby Gardiner's choice of percussive accompaniment on Heather Breeze and Hand Down the Tackle reels.
East Galway B/C accordion stylist Joe Burke chooses Leitrim-born Charlie Lennon's gentle piano to back the lonesome, liquid triplets of his hallmark Yellow tinker and Sally Gardens reels.
The highly-regarded Tony MacMahon of Co. Clare pulls yet another, exceptional, wrenching passion from accordion, in thrilling variation exploring the 19th century showpiece set-dance Garden of Daisies.