CIARÁN Ó MAONAIGH & SEÁN ÓG GRAHAM

Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, a fiddler from Donegal and member of the famous Ó Maonaigh family – Mairéad from Altan is his aunt and his grandfather Proinsias (Francie) was himself an accomplished fiddler – is releasing his second solo album twenty years after his first.

It has been a long wait, but it was worth it, as Lost in the Music - Caillte sa Cheol, recorded with the help of guitarist Seán Óg Graham, is nothing less than a musical gem.
As a member of the band Fidil, Ciarán has explored all facets of Donegal music, and his new album continues his musical quest in the tradition of this northern Irish county. This region has produced many fiddle masters such as Néillidh Boyle, Con Cassidy, Tommy Peoples and John Doherty, several of whose compositions feature on this virtuoso's album. These include the three reels that open the album, Farewell to Leitrim, The Moving Bogs and The Repeal of the Union. The album continues with other reels, Creamers, Píobaire an Chéididh, The Blackberry Blossom, Kitty Gone a Milking, and jigs, The Rakes of Clonmel, Bean ag Baint Duileasc, Over the Hills and Nóra Chríonna.

Ciarán strays from Donegal with Unst Bridal March, a tune originating from the Shetlands. Then there are tunes for his children, Frankie's Frolics composed by Liam O'Connor for his son and Rosie from Donegal dedicated to his daughter. As well as St Brigid's Day written by Caitlín Nic Gabhann to celebrate Saint Brigid, honoured on 1 February in Ireland.
Seán Ó Graham accompanies Ciarán on all the tracks, while Ciarán's wife Caitlín joins him on five tracks on concertina and foot tapping. Finally, Jim Higgins contributes to three tracks with his wild bodhrán. And to round off a superb album, Liam Ó Maonlaí adds his touch and the rhythm of his bodhrán to the last track on the album.
C. Ó Maonaigh is an incredibly talented musician who displays a passion that is expressed through his attack and his percussive and impressive bowing.
Let's hope he doesn't wait another twenty years before offering us another album of this quality.

Autoproduit C&C3 - https://caitlinciaran.bandcamp.com/album/caillte-sa-cheol-lost-in-the-music