DERMOT BYRNE, ÉAMONN COYNE, JOHN DOYLE

Since then he has been playing in duet with Yvonne Casey and as part of the KGB trio, alias Paddy Keenan, Frankie Gavin and Dermot Byrne. It's again the album of a trio this time, but Dermot got into bed with banjo player Éamonn Coyne and guitarist and singer John Doyle. As a result of this happy encounter, the beautiful Liag album, essentially based on music from the southwest of Donegal, the family birthplace of Dermot. And the name of the beautiful cliffs of Slieve Liag near Teelin.

These three talented musicians have known each other since the early 1980s when they were scouring festivals in southern Donegal, Carrick, Kilcar and Glencolmcille. Today, thirty years later, they are pursuing one of the most successful associations. In thirteen titles they revisit the repertoire of this magnificent region. First of all, it's a series of jigs Washerwoman. Then follow three reels from the best vein, Dearg's Reels, on which they are joined by the Donegal fiddler Bríd Harper. A succession of highlands, mazurkas, barndances and two superb songs on which John Doyle gives a warm and sweet voice: St Helena and Duffy's Cut: Mile 59, which he wrote about emigrants who left Donegal for Pennsylvania to find truly trying working conditions. Nia's Barndance, which Dermot composed for his own daughter, is worth mentioning. From far and wide we can recognize some pieces borrowed from Altan's repertoire. Throughout the album, the accordion-banjo association works brilliantly, supported by the guitar and its subtle rhythm. Probably one of the best albums of 2019.

Autoproduit ATCOF1902CD - www.eamonncoyne.com/liag