HUGH HEALY
Ceolaire
Philippe Cousin
I already spoke to you about this musician in Trad Mag, almost twenty years ago, when with his brother Colm, he made an album for accordion and concertina duo. This time Hugh Healy is back alone with his concertina.
Born in Corofin, County Clare, like Sharon Shannon, he has been around for many years and recorded a second CD in 2010. This is his third album, Ceolaire, his first for 12 years.
The Clare is often considered the Mecca of accordion music. But the concertina is not far behind and Hugh Healy is the living example. On his new album he is joined by a host of talented musicians: Michael McCague on guitar and bouzouki, Pádraic O'Reilly on piano, John Maloney on bodhrán and Cathy Potter on harp. All of them bring their own touch and contribute significantly to the musical colours of the album.
From the very first set, we are carried away in a musical whirlwind: Blue Angel and Miss O'Sullivan's which some may recognise as it was played by Jackie Daly on Patrick Street's first album in 1986. Jigs, reels and hornpipes follow, each one more catchy than the last. Hugh also plays the tune The Green Hills of Clare as a tribute to his home county. Then there's the superb Jennie Pippin/Miss Thornton's/The Ships are Sailing set which features Hugh, Caroline and Noel O'Donoghue, Johnny Kelly and family members Colm on accordion, Eric on fiddle and Dearbhladh on tin whistle.
The album is enjoyable, the songs well crafted and the whole thing has energy to spare.
Autoproduit KILLEEN003 - hughhealy@hotmail.com