Search - Sean Smyth :: Blue Fiddle

Some stellar fiddling!

Alexander Garden | Idaho | 09/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sean Smyth released this album in 1993, approximately three years before the band which would make him famous, Lunasa, was started. This album proves that he can be just as potent as a solo performer as he is working in the band Lunasa.His playing style is clean and simple, allowing the beautiful melodies to soar, and somtimes the results are amazing. Track 8, in my opinion, is the highlight of the album. He starts the set of reels with a great Paddy O'Brien tune, Shamrock Hill. Here, his pacing is wonderful; brisk and upbeat, with lots of rhythm, but he never sounds hurried. He then heads into a wonderful, famous Cape Breton tune called Welcome to the Shetlands(Willie Hunter). He then finishes off the set with a great tune by banjoist Gerry O'Connor called 'Punch In the Dark'. And did I mention the slide guitar? On this particuliar track, Jimmy Faulkner adds in some extra spice with some well placed bent notes. This move was a little risky; slide guitar has strong potential to be intrusive. Fortunately, Faulkner pulls it off, playing just the right amount to add some extra spice to the track, but not becoming intrusive.In fact, little gimmicks such as slide guitar are all over this CD. I got the feeling that Smyth was experimenting, trying to find something new and different. There are some very traditional tracks as well; track 12 stands out for its ceili band feel. Personally, I don't think that some of the experiments came off(namely track 10 and 5), but overall, the spectacular fiddling is more than worth it. I can listen to track 8 over and over and over...So in short: if you like experimental "Celtic" music, buy this album, you'll love it. On the other hand, if your preferences tend toward the pure drop, buy it for the fiddling; the fiddling is truly gorgeous. So(even shorter): Buy It!"