CD REVIEWS FOR DECEMBER 2007
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
FUAR
Music In The Glen
Fuar in the Irish language means, cold, but there's nothing cold about the Atlanta, Georgia based group, Fuar. In fact, they are one of Atlanta's hottest up-and-coming traditional music groups. The group's debut release, Music in the Glen, is a collection of traditional music and song and there is even some Irish step dancing thrown-in for good measure.
The group play all the traditional Irish musical instruments. Katherine Irwin Thomas is an Irish fiddler and music teacher residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with the fiddle, she plays the concertina, mandolin and bodhran.
She has taught extensive workshops and classes in Irish fiddle, and I was surprised to learn that she had attended Scoil De Dannan's Summer Camp at Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. The school is under the direction of De Dannan Irish dance teacher Leslie Wilson and attracts teachers, dancers and musicians from across North America. Leslie Wilson has taught several championship Irish dancers.
Other members of Fuar are Doug Murray who plays bouzouki, guitar, tenor guitar, banjo and bodhra. Susan Moran is the vocalist and Irish dancer. Suzanne Harner plays fiddle and is an Irish step dancer; and Jason Killingsworth is an uillean piper and also plays guitar and whistles.
The 14 tracks on Music In The Glen are easy-listening and reflective traditional session music. Fuar are making a strong case that the American South's trad music scene warrants another serious look. For more information about Fuar, visit: www.musicglenatlanta.com.
ATLANTIC STANDARDS
Christmas
The best of the Atlantic Province's singers and musicians are featured on Atlantic Standards, and it is an album which is sure to become a Christmas staple.
Featured on this 14 track album are: Great Big Sea - Seven Joys of Mary; Heather, Cookie and Raylene Rankin - Do You Hear What I Hear?; The Irish Descendants - Children's Winter; J.P. Cormier - Joseph and Mary; Rita MacNeil - Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful); Dave Gunning - Do You Feel What I Feel?; The Celtic Connection - I Saw Three Ships; Aselin Debision - Away In A Manger; The Barra MacNeils - Christmas Together; The Ennis Sisters - Mary's Lullaby; The Fables - Silent Night; Lennie Gallant - The Innkeeper; The Cottars - The Peace Carol; and Ron Hynes - Be There Christmas Eve.
It is guaranteed you will love listening to this album this Christmas: whether decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, or just listening and relaxing with good friends throughout the holiday season. For more information, visit: www.warnermusic.ca.
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