08 May 2006 - John McSherry & Donal O'Connor - Hot Press

John McSherry & Dónal O’Connor - Tripswitch
Vertical Records VERTCD076

Having made a fine duet CD with Michael McGoldrick back in 2001, piper and whistle player John McSherry now teams up with young fiddler Donal o'Connor, son of fiddler Gerry O'Connor af Skylark and La Lugh fame and the late singer Eithne NiUallachain, They'll win no prizes for the dodgy photo collage in the booklet, but the music is top notch. The title slow reel, composed by the pair in honour of a blown fuse after a toaster was called upon in the absence of a lighter is a standout, with O'Connors sinuous fiddle joined by a breathy low whistle and then by the pipes; another fine original is 'Aille's Arabesque' written by McSherry for his daughter. The pair are joined by no fewer than three guitarists; Ruben Bada, who also plays bouzouki, Gilles Le Bigot and John's brother Paul McSherry, plus Shaun 'Mudd' Wallaceon shakers, tambourine and cymbals.

EIGHT/TEN

 

Sarah McQuaid