GERRY O'CONNOR & GILLES LE BIGOT
Live in Oriel
Philippe Cousin
These two have enjoyed a strong personal and musical friendship for over thirty years, as guitarist Gilles Le Bigot joined fiddler Gerry O'Connor in the early 1990s on the Lá Lugh albums alongside the late singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin.
Gerry hails from Dundalk in County Louth (North-East of the republic) and the former Kingdom of Oriel, formed in the 7th century, an area that spanned the present counties of Monaghan and Louth. It is precisely in this region, in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan) that they recorded their second duo album. The first one, dating from 2006, was recorded in Douarnenez (Brittany). Once again in public, hence the name: Live in Oriel. An album recorded and produced by Gerry's eldest son, Dónal O'Connor.
The result of this small-scale concert is a dozen tracks and twenty-four instrumental pieces that showcase the virtuosity of these two talented musicians. More than half of the album is built around previously unreleased tracks by the duo, and a majority of Irish tunes. And from far and wide, five Breton tunes brought by Gilles. We can recognize here Anna Cloarec composed by Herri Léon in the 50's, Jesaïg Nevez written by Gilles in 1978 or An Den Yaouank borrowed from the Gwerz repertoire.
And then there are a few songs already present on previous recordings by Gerry or Lá Lugh: The Rose in the Gap (Lá Lugh 96), Úr Chnoc Chéin Mhic Cáinte (Journeyman 2004), The Cottage Set (Trio 2011).
In almost 50 minutes, everything is spidery lightness, sensitivity, majesty, in a word a real musical lace woven by two of the best fiddle and guitar virtuosos. A musical bridge between Ireland and Brittany that delivers a message of happiness.
Lughnasa Music LUGCD967 - www.gerryoconnor.net & gilleslebigot@gmail.com