The New Album
Natives of Toulouse, France, the six members of Doolin’ (guitar, bodhrán, violin, tin whistle, accordion/vocals, bass) bring a fresh and funky approach to Irish music. July 15 will mark the release date of their self-titled debut for Compass Records in Nashville. Doolin’ worked with legendary Irish guitarist John Doyle in the producer’s chair to record their unique mix of traditional (and newer) Irish tunes and songs flavored with French chanson, American roots music and even some urban hip hop juice. Special guests Jerry Douglas (dobro), John Doyle (guitar, bouzouki), Alison Brown (banjo), and Kenny Malone (percussion) brought their ubermagic to a wide range of tracks that include a reworking of the Steve Earle-penned crowd pleaser Galway Girl. Bob Dylan’s Ballad of Hollis Brown, in which Dylan recycled the Ralph Stanley classic Pretty Polly with chilling new words in 1963, is a standout track that for now you can hear ONLY on Fiddlefreak.
Here is your exclusive premiere listen to The Ballad of Hollis Brown from Doolin’. Enjoy!
The brilliant new record from Irish supergroup Solas must have been a pain to produce. Or at least, a pain to round up the troops. Titled All These Years, the album features ALL former band members as well as the current lineup of Seamus Egan, Winifred Horan, Moira Smiley, Mick McAuley, and Eamon McElholm singing, picking and sawing their way through sixteen tracks that range from modern singer-songwriter stuff to grand old session tunes. Current vocalist Moira Smiley brings a refreshing, authentic tone and a taste for modern melody to what they call their 20th Anniversary Project–a nice balance to the other singers who contributed, all of them former members of Solas.
Last month, Nuala Kennedy released one of the most gorgeous records to cross my desk in years. Her fourth studio album, Behave the Bravest (Under the Arch Records) showcases her angelic voice in both Gaelic and English and as usual, her superlative skills on flute and various whistles. If you follow Nuala at all, you will recognize the names of her supporting musicians, including Eamon O’Leary on guitar and bouzouki, Johnny Connolly (Solas) on button accordion, and Donald Hay on drums and percussion. For a woman who seems to have one foot in Scotland, one in Ireland, and one in the USA, it’s not surprising that this album was recorded over 6 months on three continents, one of which was Australia. What is surprising is the beautifully cohesive sound overall. Nuala’s unflagging sense of balance between raw joy and flawless perfection runs like a pristine river through this collection of ancient songs and modern tunes. Recommended!
Last month, LA-based old time fiddler David Bragger released his debut solo CD titled “Big Fancy” on Tiki Parlour Recordings. This record is a wonderful and long-overdue collection of his favorite fiddle tunes, played solo and accompanied by second fiddles, gourd banjo, guitar, pump organ, and even bagpipes. David fiddles with heart and soul and a deep understanding of the old tunes he plays–tunes he collected from oldtime masters such as Edden Hammonds, Mel Durham, and Dennis McGee.
David also plays in a fun jug band called Sausage Grinder, and is a collector of folk art, including the amazing ink he wears on his own skin. Enjoy these clips!
In partnership with Emily Miller, Gerry’s son Jesse Milnes now carries on the wonderful tradition of West Virginia folk music with the release in July of their duo album titled 