Release Date: 04 August 2008
Label: Copperplate Independent
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 539015301623
Genres: Folk
Description
Ben Lennon is a legendary figure in traditional Irish music circles, a fiddler from Co. Leitrim who celebrates his 80th birthday this year and who has been playing the fiddle for 70 of those years.
Although almost 50 years separate Ben from his fellow musician on this album, Tony O'Connell from west Limerick, there is an undeniable musical connection between them. David Lennon, Ben's son, says in his introduction to the CD: "Tony is probably the most empathetic musician I have heard my father play with. There is an understanding of phrasing, time and nuance that one finds only rarely in any musical form." This is O'Connell's second album; his first album was recorded with another Leitrim fiddler, Andy Morrow, and was released to critical acclaim in 2005. The album came second in the top ten albums of 2005 of highly-respected traditional Irish music reviewer Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo.
Rossinver Braes features both traditional and newly-composed tunes. Several of Charlie Lennon's compositions are included, including the hornpipe that gives the album its title, named after the village where Ben now lives. Charlie also composed two barn dances in honour of the musicians while the album was being recorded at his Cuan Studios outside Spiddal.
The tune selection leans toward the Sligo–Leitrim area and includes many tunes associated with Michael Coleman and James Morrison. Accompaniment is provided by Charlie Lennon (piano), Alec Finn (bouzouki) and Jerry McNamara (guitar).
Tracklisting
Cillian Vallely & David Doocey
Sliabh Luachra, Padraig O'Keefe, Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford
Various
Eilis Kennedy
Jackie Daly
Tommy Guihen
Paddy O’Brien
Donal Clancy
Gerard van Maasakkers
Stick In The Wheel
The Ipanemas
Jake Xerxes Fussell
Jeffrey Foucault
Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds
Iiris Viljanen
Matthew & The Atlas
