Dirty Linen - 4-5/00, p.92
"...the sound of the fiddle and concertina together is a refreshing combination....IRISH MUSIC is a release of note from a new band with a bounty of experience."
All Hands Around: Deirdre Murtha (vocals); Michaek Shorrock (guitar, bouzouki); Dave Paton (concertina, hammer dulcimer); Roger Burridge (fiddle).
Personnel: Roger Burridge (fiddle).
Arrangers: Roger Burridge; All Hands Around.
This is a very nice set of traditional Celtic tunes and songs (with a couple of originals thrown in as well) by a New England-based quartet featuring fiddler Roger Burridge, singer Deirdra Murtha, Dave Paton on concertina and hammered dulcimer, and Michael Shorrock on bouzouki and guitar. All the musicians are quite accomplished, but Burridge's playing on tunes like "Have a Drink with Me" and "Trip to Galway" is what really stands out; Paton distinguishes himself especially on the odd-metered Breton dance tunes, and Shorrock delivers consistently tasteful but low-key accompaniment. Murtha is a good meat-and-potatoes singer: no vocal tricks or elaborate ornamentation, just straightforward delivery of classic songs ("Rambling Irishman," "When I Was a Fair Maid") in a sweet, unaffected voice. There's nothing here to change the way you listen to Celtic music, but all of it is very well done. ~ Rick Anderson
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