Search - Donal Lunny :: Coolfin

1st-Rate performance & technical production this one!

oldrattler | 04/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Donal Lunny is an icon in the Celtic music industry and not for small favors. A virtuoso musician in what was, arguably, one of the best Celtic bands of all time (The Bothy Band), he was also instrumental in introducing musicians who have subsequently become the best of the best. Altan and Sharon Shannon head up a very long list. With the popularity of Riverdance has come an upsurge of Celtic music (a quick trip to any upscale music store and you'll concur) and with it a whole lot of those "get on the bandwagon with whatever we can" CDs. Those people who have had an interest in the genre for a time will be able to sort the wheat from the chaff. Those who have not will do well to start with this CD and move on to any of the other musicians listed in the credits. Stick with that path and you'll avoid the "200 of Irelands Top Tenors Sing Danny Boy" fare that, by comparison, is just taking up space on the shelves. This is the real deal, wire-to-wire: buy it!"

Best of contemprary Irish Music

09/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Donal Lunny has assembled a group of top Irish performers - and produced a record that is about the best in contemporary (but based on traditional) Irish music. Ireland is riding the crest of an economic boom right now. There is an accompanying wave of Irish culture sweeping the world: in dance, film, theatre and music. I would regard this as cutting edge music - and representative of the new confidence and joie-de-vivre in Ireland. Irish music has moved with the times, away from the sentimental stuff that may be more familiar in the USA. Try this."

Great musicians, great tunes

oldrattler | 08/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Donal Lunny does it again: puts together a group of virtuoso musicians who play great solos AND play together as a tight ensemble. And they can play REALLY fast, too. Coolfin delivers traditional Irish and original tunes with spirt and virtuosity. The time changes made my jaw drop. The electric bass and drums pack a wallop and contribute to making the traditional music contemporary and fresh. Meanwhile, the band can also slow down and play some lovely original tunes. Nollaig Casey's fiddling on her tune, "The Mousekin Shoe", can carry you gently to a very nice place. An added plus on this cd is that you get to hear Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, a Bothy Band mate of Lunny's from the 70's, sing some more. Traditional Irish music won't stand still. Now go buy Sharon Shannon's "Spellbound", too, so you can hear more of the tunes Lunny and his friends play when she joins the band."