Celtic Fiddle Festival - Play On

(April 2005) 12 tracks: La Belle Catherine / Le Step á Ti-Phonse / Reel á Toto * Leaving Brittany * Stan Chapman's Jig / Arthur Darley's Swedish Jig * Ar Bonomig / Dans Fisel * Maison de glace / Le Printemps * Itzikel * Reel á Tido / La Rachoudine * Promenade / Sonny's Mazurka * Lord Galway's Lamentation / Planxity Whitbread * A March / Al Letanant Schmitt / Méloudia * O' Carolans 's Concerto / Loftus Jones * An Droiou.

Kevin Burke (fiddle), Christian Lemaître (fiddle), André Brunet (fiddle) and Ged Foley (guitar).

Celtic Fiddle Festival 'Play On' on this fourth release, after the unexpected passing of co-founder Johnny Cunningham in 2003. Fiddlers Kevin Burke and Christian LeMâitre, along with guitarist Ged Foley, were left with an unimaginable hole to fill in their hearts and in their lineup.

In stepped French-Canadian fiddler André Brunet (of La Bottine Souriante), whose talent and enthusiasm infused the group with an energy that shines in this live recording.

Recorded live in 2004 during three shows at The Hollywood Theater and Artichoke Music in Portland, Oregon, showcasing the range that this diverse group brings to traditional music.

A set of Quebecois tunes is brought to the group by Andre, whose percussive, foot-stomping rhythm is contagious. The occasional yelp during the performance makes this opening track the first indication that this CD is going to be not only an inspired selection of tunes, but a rip-roaring good time for all. Brunet also shares another track of tunes - Maison de Glace / Le Printemps - the first composed by his brother Rejean and the second by Andre himself.

Leaving Brittany is a hauntingly beautiful tune, composed by Johnny Cunningham and played with emotion here by those who were both his fans and his friends. The tunes of Christian LeMaitre’s Brittany include a march originally written for bagpipes, and well-known tunes of Dans Fisel, which is a special style of Gavotte.

The set Lord Galway's Lamentation, composed by Turlough O'Carolan, and Planxty Whitbread are a harp composition from 18th century Ireland and a guitar piece from 20th century England and combine to form this beautiful solo guitar medley from Ged. Kevin Burke contributes a Yiddish tune, Itzikel, most likely from Eastern Europe, which is a diminutive of the name 'Isaac'.

"Once the tour got under way it became quickly evident that inviting Andre along was an inspired decision. There was great excitement in the music, we enjoyed each others playing immensely and it was evident from the audience response that they too felt they were witnessing something special. We miss our dear friend Johnny Cunningham terribly but we'd like to think he's still out there somewhere, grinning down on us, wishing us well and exhorting us to Play On." (Kevin Burke)