GREENFIRE - Robin Bullock, Ken Kolodner & Laura Risk
Dorian 90265
visit Ken's Greenfire website
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The ancient melodies and rhythms of Celtic music are played here on the instruments they were probably first played on. The creativity and spark this group has combines these traditions with what is new in their music creating a fusion that is nonpareil. This is a disc that will appeal to those who love the sounds of the classical/traditional Celtic music as well as those that are more attuned to New Age music, without sacrificing any of the integrity that the best of musicians in either camp hold. This is not the insipid elevator music that at times is passed off as either one of these genres. This has direction and a flowing force that carries a vision, soft though it may be at times, it is still moving and gathering energy to it. Listen to THE KNOCKNABOUL, it starts in a dreamy state and slowly wends its course, all the time drawing more and more direction and force until it reaches its full blown and dynamic conclusion. This is achieved by the interplay of these three artists and the chemistry they have and the love they share for the music and each other. This is a disc where the chemistry is not only apparent but adds that other dimension to the music that makes it that special aural experience. Each of these players are approaching frontiers in their musical careers and they formed this group to take advantage of what is. No one dominates but all combine to form that special blend. We have seen an explosion of groups playing both Celtic and New Age music in the past several years, to the point where they almost should have a "top 10" of their own. This is the exceptional group that has raised a standard by both sheer musical expertise, and the love they share which allows for the spontaneous creativity that makes their music special.
Producer - Ronn McFarlane
Songs, times, and writers
1 THE CONCERTINA REEL - Trad. Irish - 5:44
THE GLENBURNEY RANT - Trad. Scottish
THE CAPE BRETON FIDDLERS' WELCOME TO SHETLAND - Willie Hunter (Scotland)
THE BARROWBURN REEL - Addie Harp Sr, (Scotland)
2 CHIEF O'NEILL'S FAVORITE - Trad. Irish - 3:59
HANGMAN'S ROPE - Trad. Irish
3 THE ROLLING WAVE - Trad. Irish - 6:18
THE SHASKEEN - Trad. Irish
4 THE KNOCKNABOUL - Trad. Irish - 3:28
SALMON TAILS UP THE WATER -Trad. Irish
5 FIRST LIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS - Robin Bullock - 5:13
THE OPEN ROAD - Robin Bullock
6 THE CONVENIENCE REEL - Olcan Masterson- 4:19
DINKY'S - Trad. Irish
JACKSON'S - Trad. Irish
7 MADEMOISELL DE PARIS - Trad. French - 6:38
VARPUNNEN - Trad. Finnish
MOLLY RANKIN'S - John Rankin (Cape Breton)
8 SHEILA COYLE'S - Trad. Irish - 4:58
9 THE ICE CASTLE - Robin Bullock - 3:46
OLD RAG - Ken Kolodner
10 SEAN RYAN'S - Sean Ryan (Ireland) - 3:40
THE OLD FAVORITE - Trad. Irish
OLD JOE'S - Trad. Irish
11 OVER THE MOOR TO MAGGIE - Trad. Irish - 6:42
CROSSING THE MINCH - Donald MacLeod (Scotland)
MACARTHUR ROAD - Cathal McConnell (Ireland)
12 BI FALBH O'N UNINEIG (GO AWAY FROM THE WINDOW) - 4:12 Trad. Scottish
Musicians and instruments¨
Robin Bullock - 6 and 12 string guitars, cittern, and piano
Ken Kolodner - hammer dulcimer
Laura Risk - fiddle and viola