This is a fine collection of traditional
style jigs, reels, polkas, and hornpipes from Patty Furlong, born
in the Bronx, and the daughter of Irish immigrants. She has played
with many of the best known contemporary Irish musicians, including
Cherish the Ladies and the Chieftains.
A three times all Ireland champion on a C#/D button accordion,
she is accompanied on this CD by other fine musicians including
Myron Bretholz on bodhran, Fiona Doherty on fiddle, Brendan Dolan
on piano, Hilari Farrington on Harp, Mairead Powell King step
dancing, Benedict Koehler on Uilleann Pipes, Donna Long on piano,
Frankie McCormick on banjo, and Zan McLeod on guitar, bass, synthesizer,
dombek, and shakers.
Patty's playing is both clean and precise, and demonstrates a
mastery of phrasing and dynamics. In addition, the characteristic
that makes me want to listen to the CD over and over is the human
touch. The recording has personality! Its nice to get both virtuosity
and feeling at the same time. Unlike some other box players who
merely play fast in a mechanical fashion, her playing has a lively
lilt.
Her tunes come from various sources: from Cape Breton fiddlers
Jerry Holland and Brenda Stubbert; the O'neils Music of Ireland
tunebook; Charlie Mulvihill, Jackie Daly, and others. Selections
include 13 sets of tunes: Tumbledown/White Petticoat, Brenda Stubbert's/The
North Side/Alices, Charlie Mulvihill's/Eugene Stratton's, The
Golden Legs/Harry Bradshaw's, Caherlistrane/Castletown Connors/Fasten
the Leg on Her, Blue Eyed Rascal, Micky Quinn's/Humors o' Ballingarry/Rakes
of Clonmel, Man of the House/Kieran Kelly's/Brendan McMahon's,
Killavil/Paddy Fahy's, Nell Fee's/I'll Buy Boots for Maggie, Munster
Grass/Coey's, Snow Capped Mountain/Mist Covered Mountain, The
House on the Hill/P.J. McComiskey's.