Recent Release News: Traditional Music (March 2018)
Featured below: Altan, Niamh Varian-Barry, Shane Mulchrone, Richard Neylon, Music in the Glen.
Each week The Journal of Music will be compiling news on new and recent releases in contemporary, classical, jazz, traditional music and more. Please send details of new releases to editor [at] journalofmusic.com.
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Altan: The Gap of Dreams
Compass Records
Altan’s latest album, released this month, explores the music of Donegal with traditional tunes and original compositions from Martin Tourish, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Nia Byrne and Sam Kelly.
Visit https://altan.ie/the-gap-of-dreams/
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Niamh Varian-Barry: Wings
Independent
Singer and fiddle player Niamh Varian-Barry has released her debut solo album. A former lead singer of Solas, and a founding member of the Clare Memory Orchestra, her album Wings features her own new compositions and arrangements as well as tracks by Zoë Conway and Ger Wolfe.
Visit http://niamhvarianbarry.com
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Shane Mulchrone: Solid Ground
Raelach Records
Solid Ground is the debut solo record from Mayo-based banjo player Shane Mulchrone, bringing together his 20 years of performing experience. The album is produced by Jack Talty, who also guests alongside Heather Cole-Mullen (melodeon) and Noel O’Grady (bouzouki). It is also accompanied by a 12-page booklet designed by photographer Maurice Gunning (see photo below).
Visit http://raelachrecords.com
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Richard Neylon: Sonda
Independent
Neylon is primarily an uilleann piper, but on this debut album, released in 2017, also plays flute, whistles, saxophone and percussion. It features a mix of traditional and newly composed music, including the new composition ‘Cumha Mhíchíl Bhreathnaigh’, a lament for Mícheál Breathnach.
Visit http://www.irishpiper.ie/sonda
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Conor Lamb/Brendan Mulholland/Deirdre Galway: Music In The Glen
Independent
This trio of flute, uilleann pipes/whistles and guitar is newly formed, though Lamb and Mulholland have been playing together for 20 years. This debut album was released in January this year and features their own arrangements of traditional music, combining airs and dances as well as new compositions.
Visit http://www.musicitg.com
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In other news, Daoirí Farrell will release a new album produced by Donal Lunny in October, and Dervish release an album on the Rounder Records label later this year. Please send all details on new releases to editor [at] journalofmusic.com.