The Celtic Fiddle Festival
20th Anniversary Concert: Live in Brittany
Label: Loftus MusicUS release date: 2013-05-21
UK release date: 2013-05-20
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The Celtic Fiddle Festival is a traditional band comprised of three fine musicians: Christian Lemaitre (formerly of Brittany’s landmark group Kornog), André Brunet, from Quebecois band De Temps Antan, and legendary Irish fiddler Kevin Burke. Together, with guitarist Nicolas Quémener, the band explores the various traditions of Irish, French and Canadian Celtic music. Recorded in 2013, Live in Brittany is a feast for aficionados of traditional music.
Ripping through a set that includes Irish tunes such as "The Trip to Durrow / The Abbey Reel / The Maid Behind the Bar", French dance tunes in the form of the "Ronds de St Vincent", and gentle airs a la "When Angels Breathe", the band displays consistently high levels of musicianship and control. Modern compositions such as "The Station Master’s Waltz" spice up the performance as well, as does guitarist Quémener's solo turn on “Le Lézard Périgourdin”. This is a lively set of tunes, but be aware that these are purely instrumental, and they may comprise more straight-up fiddle music than some people may wish to hear in a single sitting.
