Dialogues

Dialogues Chris Newman & Máire Ní Chathasaigh Chris and Máire’s first studio album since 1994: an album of musical dialogues and an exciting departure for them on many levels. From the purest well-spring of Irish music come the 17th century solo harp piece Gol na mBan san Ár, the newly-discovered 18th century Hidden Pearl arranged by Máire for harp and string quartet and a 19th century set of jigs. Two of the four songs are here recorded for the first time in these versions, one of them being sung in the beautiful free-form, uniquely Irish style of singing known as "sean-nós". The Scottish tradition is represented by the Beeswing Hornpipe and the Highland piping March and Reel Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban and Duntroon Castle. From this traditional core, they explore new musical styles and new styles of arrangement. Three Piece Suite, composed by Máire in a traditional style, ended up being given a slightly African-influenced arrangement. Other full band arrangements include the irresistably jaunty traditional American Twinkle Little Star and Chris’s two compositions, the Caribbean-influenced Banana Yellow and the jazzy Swinging the Lead. Máire’s sister Nollaig’s fiddle-playing is heavily featured; there are also guest appearances from young Scottish fiddle-player Ian MacFarlane, mandolin wizard Simon Mayor, cellist Liz Hanks and percussion ace Roy Dodds. Price: £12.50 (You can pay in any currency: more info)

Acoustics Records, PO Box 350, Reading RG6 7DQ, England.
Tel: +44 (0)118 926 8615.