Raelach Records are delighted to announce the release of Decade, the fourth studio album from Donegal trio, Fidil. Following a hiatus for a number of years, the trio of Aidan O’Donnell, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, and Damien McGeehan have reunited to produce an album that showcases Fidil’s enduring and dynamic artistic curiosity, personality, and individuality. Once again drawing on the rich Donegal fiddle tradition as a springboard for exploring new pathways for ensemble fiddle performance, Decade, signals an exciting creative development for the trio that combines original composition and less familiar Donegal repertoire with the inimitable Fidil sound. Using a range of fiddles exclusively, Decade showcases a myriad of creative possibilities that emerge when masters of tradition merge personal artistic curiosity with a deep-rooted and immersive appreciation of the musicality and musicians that have shaped the music of their region.
"Nothing short of breathtaking...remarkable ensemble playing from this exceptional trio of fiddlers"
★★★★★ Siobhán Long, The Irish Times
"There’s variety, invention and a daring in their approach that celebrates their shared Donegal heritage in the most interesting of ways. For folks who enjoy top-tier traditional music that embraces innovation, “Decade” is an album not to be missed"
-Daniel Neely, The Irish Echo
"Once again the three Donegal gentlemen of Fidil have gathered a bewitching collection of tunes and delivered them with wit, warmth and a profound understanding of the music of their homeplace. The arrangements are thoughtful and compelling, and balance the stillness of the slow airs with an impish and energetic canter through the dance tunes. As always, a total delight to listen to anything this trio comes up with"
-Ellen Cranitch, RTÉ Lyric FM
"Fidil's Decade is a welcome return from the Donegal fiddle trio and an exceptional album stacked high with spellbinding playing. It represents another artistic triumph for the honourable Raelach Records imprint"
-David Kidman, Folk Radio UK
"The inventiveness of these fiddle virtuosos never fails throughout this album, which is full of reels, slip jigs, highlands, waltzes and mazurkas in a beautiful musical whirlwind....A beautiful album where brilliance and originality are the most appropriate words"
-Philippe Cousin, 5 Planetes
"The ensemble playing is instinctive and spellbinding, and even well-known tunes and airs are delivered with a new and refreshing perspective...An album full of gems, highly recommended"
-Mark Lysaght, Irish Music Magazine
credits
released November 28, 2019
Featuring Aidan O'Donnell, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, and Damien McGeehan on fiddles.
Produced and Engineered by Jack Talty
Artwork and Photography by Maurice Gunning
Produced with support from the Arts Council.
HI,The first track and sound I heard was enough for me to get whole album Raw honest,goose bumps live sound, fantastic reels ,to dance Sean nos. Dave Suffolk Uk ps if have,listen on a blue tooth speaker ,this is even more amazing.pps Have listen more ofCormac music and feel the instrument when played becomes a living entity . 13844
Absolutely love that deep concertina sound. And the range of expression that Cormac brings out through this instrument, well beyond the intentions of the designers or makers of these instruments. And, feel sorry for his poor bellows and reeds. He has to do a lot of personal repair on them. Cormac's album design and presentation are beautiful works of art as well. See him in concert if you can. You can really feel those bass notes resonate through a hall. balinsky
Old-fashioned fiddles harmonize with rippling synths on the Scottish singer-songwriter's latest collection of original folk songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2022
Absolutely sensational - love the generally low-end tones and planxty-esque set up, but most of all the incredible energy of it! Wish more instrumental trad was like this, love the fact that it's recorded live too. Prangman