Connemara, Sunshine & Genius Fiddle Playing
I was lucky enough to be in Ireland recently for the hottest long spell of glorious weather that I can remember.
Clear blue sky day followed clear blue sky day; people starting taking off their overcoats and the Rain Museum in Letterfrack closed down for the duration.
Walking round the streets of one afternoon I hear a fine class of music coming from somewhere in the region of E. J. King's pub.
Coming round the corner I saw a four-piece band: fiddle, melodeon, beatbox and bouzouki lashing into a rake of fine tunes in world class style.
I listened for a while then asked who the fiddler was - aside from I don't think I have seen a fiddler with such an exciting style for a long, long time.
"Feargal Scahill", a Danish bloke with his arm round a Greek girl told me.
It turned out that is the younger brother of genius banjo player , and it also turned out that not only is Feargal a genius on the fiddle, Â he plays a damn fine guitar too.
I bought a copy of his CD 'The Dusty Bridge' and was just as amazed and excited by his playing in the studio.
I don't know if it's available in the shops yet, but it is well worth searching out because it's one of the best instrumental CDs I've heard in years. I'll most certainly be playing a track from it on my programme next Wednesday.
It was no surprise either to learn that Feargal has also played with the - another bunch of geniuses.
So summer weather, real stout and fantastic music. Connemara go brea!
I'll be back next month and it will probably be grey and the Rain Museum will be open all and every day.
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