Search - Birkin Tree :: Cheap Present

Irish music from Italy

enrico barbieri | SARMATO, PC, ITALY | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Birkin Tree have had the possibility -since 1982- to work (or better, to play) with a wide range of traditional musicians from all over Ireland counties. They have friends both in Belfast and in Doolin, they are appreciated by true masters...Their musicianship is equal of anything you might find in the best irish bands around. But they can 'read' the music as no one, and their understanding of the irish music is unbelievable. 'A Cheap present' is their second cd, even if they have been playing together for 20 years...it's a delicate cd, in wich traditional and own composed tunes are drawn together with fantasy and respect of tradition: infact birkin tree, on stage, are accompanied by 2 dancers. Their music is not too fast, and they don't fall in the temptation to drive the music faster, because of they true musical integrity and knowledge. The tunes I like most are Track5, 'SKIES THROUGH LEAVES/PADDY TAYLORS/NUALA'S BONNET', an highland wrote by S.Sisani (flute) followed by two reels. And very very exciting is also the final set, in wich every player says farewell to the listener playing a solo, as the Chieftains used to do in their first tapes (even if the said welcome...). There are, in the final set, two fiddles perfectly drawn together by the harp in the two first reels: ED REAVY'S & THE GALTEE. Then a remarkable flute solo wich reminds me Laurence Nugent at his best. Is a tune called 'Seamus Egan Reel' wich is also know as 'Fermoy Lasses'. Very exciting. And then other two reels quite famous: 'Last night fun' and 'Tommy Peoples', in wich they play all together with energy. At the end, closing the session, a pipe solo from Fabio Rinaudo (Liam O Flynn pupil) in 'Ashmolean House' leaves the listener with unespressed need of more music.
It's a very very good cd, maybe not very famous, but be sure that a present could be wonderful even if is quite cheap..."