Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman

About Heartstring Sessions...

Two renowned duos. A multi-faceted, unique quartet - now known as The Heartsting Quartet. Máire and Chris are joined here by two of the most important names in Irish music, legendary guitarist Arty McGlynn ((ex Van Morrison band, Planxty, Patrick Street, Dé Danann) and virtuoso fiddler Nollaig Casey (ex Planxty and Coolfin) - who between them have played with every major Irish artist of the last thirty years. The CD is an eclectic mix of music they love, from powerhouse Irish dance-music, gorgeous airs, old songs with a contemporary twist and striking new compositions – to bluegrass and ragtime rockabilly! Sophisticated, complex arrangements are interspersed with down-home tracks recorded live. Chris’s sizzling guitar improvisations, Arty’s rhythmic genius, Nollaig’s heart-melting lyricism and Máire’s plangent power have created a warm musical world where each individual is showcased and supported by the others. Moods range from poignant and heartfelt to effervescent and joyful, finishing with a celebratory “session” at the end! TRAD Magazine's BRAVO Award recipient.

Reviews of Heartstring Sessions

Tracklisting for Heartstring Sessions

The quartet's website

 

Reviews of Heartstring Sessions

THE IRISH TIMES * * * *
"Arty McGlynn's and Nollaig Casey's individual and shared contributions have reverberated in the work of everyone from Van Morrison to Riverdance to John Carty.

Nollaig's sister, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman have quietly forged a formidable reptutation for themselves as well, a harp-and- guitar pairing that's long jettisoned cosy notions of how these strings might intertwine.

Heartstring Sessions is a tightrope walk into uncommon worlds. Chris and Arty trade drumtight licks on Merle Travis's 'Saturday Night Shuffle', while the quartet tackle 'Lament for Limerick' and excavate their souls in the process. This is traditional music at its very best: crossing boundaries, tapping our own tunes alongside bluegrass and ragtime borrowings. Many lifetimes' worth of music."
- Siobhán Long, THE IRISH TIMES, October 10 2008

DIRTY LINEN (USA), March/April 2009
"Here’s a dream quartet: pair Irish guitar and fiddle duo Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey with English guitarist and Celtic harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and you have some of the sweetest and most exciting music to emerge from the British Isles in a long time. Matching virtuosity with sheer good taste, this album of traditional and original music pours joyfully from the speakers. The quartet shows an amazing empathy between members, as demonstrated by the opening Newman composition, 'Wild Goose Chase', on which Casey’s free-flowing fiddle and Ní Chathasaigh’s crystalline harp dance delightfully with McGlynn’s fluid guitar lines and Newman’s steady rhythm on acoustic guitar and fretless bass. There is some nice old-time picking-and-grinning, as on 'Tom Cronin’s Homework', as well as quiet moments of majestic beauty in 'Song of the Harp'. As one would expect, there are also some fiery jigs and reels. Surprises include the good-natured, guitar-centred cover of Merle Travis’ 'Saturday Night Shuffle' and a fiddle-and-mandolin take on Bill Monroe’s classic bluegrass tunes, 'The Yellow Barber' / 'Gold Rush'.

Though the album is primarily instrumental, Casey sings on two lovely traditional songs, 'Among the Heather' and 'A Mháire Bhán Óg' ('Fair Young Mary'). Casey also contributed the jaunty reel 'The Shooting Star', and McGlynn the delicate, neo-classical 'Reminiscing'. There is a great Newman-arranged set of tunes called 'El Vals Argentino' in which he sounds for all the world like a South American Django Reinhardt. The quartet concludes the festivities with an amazing set of reels, which surely must be the highlight of their live shows. There are few albums that demand replay immediately after conclusion; this CD is one of them.”
- Lahri Bond, DIRTY LINEN, March/April 2009

SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY * * * * *
"A string band made up of two duos - magnificently musical Irish sisters on fiddle and harp, with their two virtuoso guitar partners. Nollaig also sings in English in 'Among The Heather' and an Irish version of the Scottish Gaelic 'Mhaire Bhan Og'. The instrumental quality is outstanding, but the majesty of Ní Chathasaigh's harp, especially in the 18th-century 'Song Of The Harp', and with the fiddle in the even older 'Lament For Limerick,' is the album's heart."
- SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY, October 5, 2008

TRAD Magazine (The CD also received TRAD’s BRAVOS Award)
"Attention, chef d'œuvre! Voici un quartet formé de la réunion de deux duos qui tournent déjà depuis un bon bout de temps : celui de la harpiste Maire Ni Chathasaigh et du guitariste Chris Newman (qui a déjà fait une demi- douzaine d'albums) et celui composé de la violoniste Nollaig Casey, sœur de Maire, et du guitariste Arty Mc Glynn (qui en a fait un peu moins). Bref, ce qui se fait de mieux avec les cordes en Irlande aujourd'hui ! 14 sets : des jigs, reels, airs lents, deux chansons, un air de bluegrass, un thème de Merle Travis, une valse argentine... tous aussi sublimes les uns que les autres ! Le morceau d'ouverture, “Wild Goose Chase”, va très certainement devenir un classique, tant sa mélodie qui saute à travers diverses traditions ne vous lâche plus la tête."
- Jean-Pascal Assailly, TRAD Magazine

fROOTS
"Believe me, I’m trying to be restrained, but having listened to this album repeatedly over the last week, it’s impossible to resist entering hyperbolic realms. So, let’s be blunt, if this CD is not a contender for album of the year, multiple awards and ennoblement for all concerned, then I’m fully prepared to eat every hat in Leitrim.

Its recipe for success seems simple on the surface. Take one of Ireland’s most successful musical pairings, guitarist Arty McGlynn and fiddler Nollaig Casey (who’ve previously released two superb albums in the form of Causeway and Lead the Knave), and unite them with another acclaimed couple in the shape of guitarist / mandolinist Chris Newman and Nollaig’s sister, harper Máire Ní Chathasaigh, two equally inspired musicians who’ve steadily released a series of fine albums since 1988’s The Living Wood, not forgetting Máire’s groundbreaking The New Strung Harp from 1985. Stick them together in a studio, add a smidgen of live recordings, simmer, savour and serve (preferably with a fine red from the Douro valley).

Then sit back and enjoy the intricacy of two contrasting guitar styles (gutsy Arty and more intricate Chris), encapsulated in a stonking rendition of Merle Travis’s 'Saturday Night Shuffle', Nollaig’s utterly soulful fiddle which achieves its zenith on a raunchy rendition of Bill Bonroe’s 'Gold Rush' plus her eloquent vocal renditions of 'Among the Heather' and 'A Mháire Bhán Óg'. Finally, bask in the sheer beauty of Máire’s harp – grace embodied, but with that ever-present sense of danger, and offering a complexity that oft-times defies comprehension.

What’s more, each listening to Heartstring Sessions adds new subtle enjoyment and it’s apt that its closing track (a set of reels kicked off by 'The Old Bush') gradually fades into the distance, suggesting that somewhere this stellar quartet is still enjoying its own musical company."
- Geoff Wallis, fROOTS, November 2008

THE LIVING TRADITION
"Two of the mightiest pairings in current folk, McGlynn-Casey and Newman-Ni Chathasaigh combine to give a tour-de-force of breathtaking order. In a rare outing together the two sisters (Nollaig and Máire) complement each other in true familial fashion, more than ably supported by their musical partners.

Classic songs such as 'A Mháire Bhán Óg' and 'Among the Heather' are interspersed with breakneck instrumentals including Merle Travis' 'Saturday Night Shuffle' and Newman's 'Wild Goose Chase'. All non-original compositions are extensively researched and their provenance identified in the copious notes accompanying the CD - which also detail the instruments played (down to the actual strings used - no stone is left unturned). The total effect is enhanced by Newman's meticulous production, and the loving care taken in arranging the pieces is evident throughout of the consummate professionalism of all four artistes. Here are four people whose muse has come of age, and who take no risks (but continue to surprise their audiences). That they obviously love playing together goes without saying. That it's taken this long for them to get together in the studio has been our loss - now thankfully rectified here and hopefully the beginning of a long musical journey.

If I had to choose a favourite it would be the medley of 'The Yellow Barber' and 'Gold Rush' which gives all four opportunities to shine on their respective instruments in solo instrumental breaks but also demonstrates subtle interplay between them. Nice one.

The collective are extensively touring together this Autumn, and on the evidence of this album deserve to play to packed houses everywhere (as they probably will anyway)."
- Grem Devlin, THE LIVING TRADITION November/ December 2008

IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE
"I must have heard this a hundred times or more, enough to get to really like it. My verdict? It is a wonderfully diverse album from four musicians who have been around a long time. How long? Well, I recall booking Chris Newman when he was playing with Fred Wedlock back in the 1970s, so I suppose three decades of professional music making is going to show its pedigree, and you wouldn’t be wrong to go looking for it here. If it doesn’t get hours of radio air time, there is no justice in this world.

There’s a mature confidence in everything the two duos touch on this album, evident from the opening 'Wild Goose Chase' which started life as a slow air, but you’d hardly guess that from listening to the result. Some tunes are simple, but when given the masterly touch by producer Chris Newman, they breathe a different sort of complexity. Take 'Tom Cronin’s Homework': it’s a bit of an Old-Timey Appalachian number, not much more than a mandolin-led song melody, but I can see this appearing as a backing tune to a TV ad or two – it’s as infectious as, say, Sharon Shannon’s 'Galway Girl'.

The album reflects the diverse musical roots of the four players, with the two sisters playing the strong Irish traditional cards, firstly on the gentle air 'Song of the Harp' from the Petrie Collection of 1855. What is pleasing about this track and indeed about the whole album is that each instrument is given its own voice within the arrangements and allowed to run with the melody, something not always present on albums featuring the guitar. But there are few albums with two such world-class guitarists as McGlynn and Newman. Catch their re-working of the 1959 Merle Travis number 'Saturday Night Shuffle', with Newman flat-picking an acoustic guitar and McGlynn adding just the right amount of electric licks.

It’s not all tunes, as there are two songs ('Among the Heather' and 'A Mháire Bhán Óg'), and the surprise here is that it is Nollaig, not Máire, who is singing them – and what a good job she does, in a low sensuous voice.

If I had to make one over-riding comment about the album it’s is its sense of pace: dance tunes are fast but not frenetic, the American and Euro-jazz influenced tunes are hummable and captivating. ('El Vals Argentino' is a stunner, and McGlynn’s 'Reminiscing' has a classical Spanish feel about it, with one gorgeous minor moment at the end.) The mix of other acoustic traditions sits comfortably with Irish jigs and reels. It has fourteen tracks, but holds your interest from start to finish, so that you’re surprised when it all ends – because of the variety which sits you down in a comfy chair,  makes you a cuppa and entertains you without shouting at you to have another biscuit.

A top drawer album from one of the best independent labels in Celtic music."
- IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE, November 2008

SING OUT (USA)
"I admire and even envy musicians who are able to take a classic player’s style or segment of his repertoire and present it as you would an exhibit in a museum. Their recordings are handy for learning new tunes or becoming exposed to a particular technique. That said, I seldom listen to those recordings simply for pleasure. I like a recording that has variety and even takes a few chances: those are the recordings I return to time and time again for inspiration and entertainment. Heartstring Sessions is such a recording.

Renowned musicians all, guitarists Arty McGlynn and Chris Newman are joined by sisters Nollaig Casey on fiddle and harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh for a lovely collection of songs and tunes old and new.

The CD opens with 'Wild Goose Chase', written by Chris. This tune was originally intended as a slow air, but, with the addition of Nollaig’s fiddle, it took on an entirely new character. 'Tom Cronin’s Homework' follows with its distinctly Appalachian feel, which belies its heritage as an English dance tune. Nollaig’s lovely vocals are featured on 'Among the Heather', with lyrics written by poet William Allingham from Donegal and set to a traditional air from County Cork. The arrangement owes as much to Mark Knopfler as to Irish tradition.

A couple of unusual selections are included on Heartstring Sessions, including 'Saturday Night Shuffle' by Merle Travis. Arty and Chris adorn this wonderful raggedy tune with lots of guitar ornamentation and a persistent drive. Another apparent oddity is the pairing of 'Yellow Barber' with Bill Monroe’s 'Gold Rush'. The combination of Máire’s harp and Nollaig’s fiddling along with Chris and Arty’s guitars makes the first tune from the playing of Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas sound remarkably Celtic in spirit; Chris’ mandolin and Nollaig’s fiddle take center stage on the Monroe classic.

I fear this review only scratches the surface of this terrific recording. There is a great deal more wonderful music on Heartstring Sessions; in fact, I think I’ll play it again."
- TD, SING OUT, March 2009

LE PEUPLE BRETON
"Associez deux duos de renom, deux soeurs, la violoniste Nollaig Casey et la harpiste Máire Ní Chathasaigh, deux des guitaristes les plus créatifs, Arty McGlynn et Chris Newman , et vous obtenez un quartet exceptional qui s’est retrouvé pour la première fois pour produire l’excellent album Heartstring Sessions.

Nollaig Casey, bien connue en Bretagne pour avoir été de l’aventure de l’Héritage des Celtes et qui a aussi brièvement fait partie de Planxty et de Coolfin aux côtés du non moins célèbre Dónal Lunny, joue habituellement avec son mari A. McGlynn mais ne dédaigne pas à l’occasion poser le son aérien de son fiddle sur la harpe de sa soeur Máire.

Et quand leurs guitaristes de maris unissent leur gout pour le trad, le bluegrass et le jazz, vous avez dans l’oreille une musique à l’éclecticisme certain mais ô combien brillante.

Leur album est donc, lui aussi, un mélange éclectique de trad irlandais, de vieilles chansons (oh! la voix de Nollaig!) et de compositions plus récentes des quatre complices, un album où même le bluegrass et le ragtime trouvent une petite place.

Des arrangements sophistiqués démontrent le talent evident de ces quatre-là. Des impros à la guitare tandis que fiddle et harpe dégagent une douce chaleur sur les jigs et reels qui vous permettront de reconnâitre tel ou tel morceau au detour des quatorze plages de l’album."
- Philippe Cousin, LE PEUPLE BRETON, January 2009

IRLAND JOURNAL (Germany), Winter 2008
"Dieses Album haben die beiden Schwestern und Ihre Partner selbst gegönnt. Das hört man nicht nur, das spürt man förmlich. Lange musste die Folkwelt warten, bis ein Zusammentreffen dieser vier begnadeten Musiker endlich auf einer CD dokumentiert wurde, aber das Warten hat sich gelohnt. Jeder Musiker bringt nicht nur sein ganz individuelles Können hier ein, sondern auch seine jeweiligen musikalischen Einflüsse, was letzlich für viel Abwechslung sorgt. Newman und McGlynn sind zwei Gitarristen, die sich, jeder mit seinem Stil, seit Jahrzehnten am Markt behaupten und denen die Fachwelt viel Bewunderung entgegenbringt. Máire versteht mit der Harfe umzugehen wie kaum eine zweite in der Welt der keltischen Folkmusik und ihre Schwester Nollaig gehört ohnehin zu den bekanntesten Fiddlerinnen der Szene – kaum eine Spitzenband mit der sie noch nicht auf der Bühne stand. Die meisten Stücke auf dem Album sind unverkennbar irisch, wenngleich auch Anleihen z. B. beim Bluegrass gemacht wurden. Zweimal wird gesungen. Allerdings ist nicht, wie man vermutet hätte, Máire die Sängerin, sondern Nollaig. Die Heartstring Sessions sollte man im CD-Regal haben – eine wirkliche Besonderheit."
- IRLAND JOURNAL, Winter 2008

NEW FOLK SOUNDS (Netherlands)
"Leuk die familiefeestjes. Vooral als er muziek gemaakt wordt. En dan niet van die gezapige ‘kijk opa ik kan ook viool spelen’ of de oubollige ‘Familie X’ orkestjes, maar echt gemusiceer! Dat zit bij de zwagers Arty McGlynn en Chris Newman met de zussen Nollaig Casey en Máire Ní Chathasaigh wel goed. McGlynn is een aalvlugge solist, terwijl Newman de kracht haalt uit superb flatpicking en mandoline werk. Vooral ritmisch zet de man fundamenten neer die onverwoestbaar zijn. Nollaig kennen we vooral van fiddlepartijen in diens van Dónal Lunny en Ní Chathasaigh kan je zonder meer de belangrijkste hedendaagse lerse harpiste noemen. Ze timmert met echtgenoot Newman al langer aan de weg als duo. Op eerdere albums verruimden ze het verstikkende Keltische met Amerikaanse folk, ragtime, bluegrass en zelfs jazz met Hot Club de France tunes op harp en gitaar, waar menig echte manouche jaloers op zo worden. Ook nu vind ik de composities waarin men ‘vreemd’ gaat het meest aantrekkelijk. Er zit spanning in, dynamiek, verrassing, power en gedrevenheid. Het hoeft niet althijd uptempo te zijn, zoals de fraaie air ‘Song of the Harp’ bewijst. Net zo lekker klinkt de country klassieker ‘Saturday Night Shuffle’ van Merle Travis. Volkomen omgewerkt en afwijkend van het origineel, maar dat is nu net folkmuziek! De ‘Lament for Limerick’ is een majestueus en barok-achtig gespeeld werkstukje. Indrukwekkend, maar ook opgewekt afgerond met de vrolijke hornpipe ‘Thomond Bridge’ als tegenhanger voor het serieuze. Een minder sterk punt van Máire Ní Chathasaigh zijn de vocalen. Op Heartstring Sessions laat ze dat over aan zus Nollaig. Iets stemvaster, maar ook zij is niet echt overtuigend. Het aantal vocale tracks is echter tot twee beperkt. Als afwisseling voldoen ze, maar gelukkig overheerst het instrumentale. Luister maar eens naar de vloeiende gitaarsolo of het unisono gespeelde duet tussen harp en viool in ‘The Shooting Star’. Dat weet je dat je daar meer dan genoeg aan hebt."
- Marius Roeting, NEW FOLK SOUNDS

INSOUND Magazine (Italy)
"Continuando a seguire a piacere le suonatrici d’arpa non potevamo non imbatterci nel nuovo lavoro di Máire Ní Chathasaigh (“La più interessante e originale arpista irlandese moderna, così ne parlava Derek Bell dei Chieftains), che con Chris Newman anima un duo di primo piano nella musica acustica internazionale. Dopo anni de onorato servizio, si sono dati una rinfrescata e, cambiato il look, hanno portato la loro musica fuori dai confini cui li aveva relegati l’attenzione per la musica celtica. Ci sono sì arie e gighe di antica ascendenza, ma non mancano echi jazz e bluegrass, pennellate chitarristiche quasi westcoastiane, per non parlare del banjo dell’americana Cathy Fink che dialoga col violino di Nollaig Casey (la sorella di Máire), Un lavoro complesso che coniuga l’innegabile virtuosismo strumentale con la piacevole sorpresa di una rinnovata vena compositiva."
- Gigi Marinoni, INSOUND Magazine, February 2008

THE ULSTER HERALD, September 25, 2008
"Four of the finest musicians and singers from these islands combine their talents to produce an amazing eclectic mix of songs and airs on a new album entitled Heartstring Sessions. Some of the most noted names in Irish music, guitarist Arty McGlynn, fiddle player Nollaig Casey and harper Maire Ni Chathasaigh, team up with flat-picking guitarist Chris Newman to record a complex mix of what is collectively their own personal choice of material. It’s the music they love - from sparkling Irish dance tunes, beautiful airs, old songs with a contemporary twist and striking new compositions - right through to bluegrass and ragtime rockabilly. Arty needs no introduction locally - he’s given us decades of talent, from McGlynn’s Fancy to recordings with some of Ireland’s best know artistes. Maire is a hugely influential harpist who has carved out a niche for herself in Irish music. Maire’s sister Nollaig has toured with Riverdance and performed with some of the world’s best-known artistes, while Chris Newman’s guitar playing is simply astounding. "
- John McCusker, THE ULSTER HERALD, September 25, 2008

"Wonderful CD. I used it in my Pick of the Week column this week and have been recommending it all round!" - John McCusker, columnist in The Ulster Herald

FOLK LONDON
When two popular duos on the current folk scene unite and the partnerships are of the musical excellence of McGlynn and Casey, Newman and Ní Chathasaigh the resulting outcome must surely be impressive. The musical quality achieved on this, their first album together, does not disappoint. Their individual talents combine to create a wonderfully bright exciting sound smoothed to perfection. The distinctive and differing guitar styles of Newman and McGlynn, both at home whether picking out the gentle 'Song of the Harp' or firing up the inevitable Irish jigs, combine innovatively with the exquisite harp playing of Maire, sometimes lively, sometimes delicate and the superb fiddle playing of Nollaig. Traditional songs such as 'A Mháire Bhán Óg' learnt from the sisters' parents, and 'Among the Heather', learnt from their mother are interspersed with lively instrumentals to create a well balanced and carefully crafted album. The varied selection of tunes range from the slow majestic 'Lament for Limerick' through the wistful 'Reminiscing' to the dynamic 'Wild Goose Chase'. The interplay between the two guitarists on their version of Merle Travis's 'Saturday Night Shuffle' is three and a half minutes of sheer joy. The packaging includes a ten page booklet detailing the tunes, their origin and instruments played, while the production throughout the CD is faultless." - FOLK LONDON December 2008 - January 2009

NET RHYTHMS
"This lineup may sound like it has the trappings of a supergroup, but the musicians wear their brilliant light under a bushel for this ebullient and joyful offering has appeared with all possible modesty. Those two legendary guitarists, Chris and Arty, have for long been at the forefront of creative cutting-edge interpretation of tradition (within whatever musical “region”), and their mastery of style and innovation has long been a talking point among discerning music lovers. Máire's command of the Irish harp is unrivalled, while her sister Nollaig's exquisite fiddle playing has long been revered for its combination of fire and lyricism. What a spellbinding combination of talents then!

On this exemplary disc, eclecticism is the watchword, and when allied to playing of this calibre you just know you're in for a fabulous ride. It's like a home-grown Transatlantic Session, with Irish and other Celtic musics meeting bluegrass and ragtime head-on and producing something fresh and vibrant with all the spirit of the best sessions in town. The first four tracks alone demonstrate what a fine balance is being struck: 'Wild Goose Chase' (a composition by Chris himself) has harp being pursued by guitars and fiddle over a Hispanic landscape, while 'Tom Cronin's Homework' has more of an old-time feel and the pace slackens for the delightfully “orchestrated” 'Song Of The Harp' (only surpassed by the majestic 'Lament For Limerick' later on the disc) and the crew then jig out on a traditional set that would knock most full-time tune-bands into a corner. Chris and Arty turn in a beautifully understated, gently rockin' (fun rockabilly-style) duet variant of Merle Travis' 'Saturday Night Shuffle' (with a middle-eight derived from oral tradition - ie Chris's brother Mark!). Chris's 'El Vals Argentin'o is a persuasive illustration of how several seemingly different musical styles can prove on closer examination to have much in common. Even the breakneck pace the foursome adopt for the Bill Monroe 'Gold Rush' doesn't wrong-foot any of them in the slightest!

Variety proves the spice of the disc with two songs sung deftly and precisely by Nollaig (I especially liked her take on 'Among The Heather'). Everywhere you turn on the disc, in fact, the unstintingly high standard of the playing is miraculous, the musicianship supreme; all of the musicians are noted for their virtuosity and their fastidious attention to detail, but this aspect never allowed to get in the way of the expression of their intense musicality. Even non-guitarists will regularly marvel at Chris's superlative flatpicking and his tremendous gift for improvisation, and the sheer range of textures and moods Nollaig conjures from her fiddle (and viola) strings is astonishing, while the warmth and power of Máire's harpistry would melt even the sternest harp-allergy, and Arty's rhythmic inventiveness is but one compelling facet of his extraordinary talent prominently displayed on this disc. So if you want a scintillating and varied menu to spice up your listening, you can do no better than indulge yourself with the excellent Heartstring Sessions."
- David Kidman, NET RHYTHMS, 12 October 2008

"Wonderful stuff altogether. A very fine album indeed." Colum Sands, presenter of Folk Club on BBC Radio Ulster.

"What a beautiful album! Wonderful music, beautifully arranged and played by four true professionals. I can't wait to get playing it on air on Sunday" - Pádraig Duffy, presenter of Coppers and Brass on Midlands 103, Ireland. www.midlands103.com

THE FLY - Global Music Culture
"Occasionally an album starts on such a high note and builds such a sense of anticipation of what is to come that surely whatever follows must be a disappointment.

Heartstring Sessions boasts Arty McGlynn, Chris Newman, and sisters Nollaig Casey and Maire Ni Chathasaigh, and the opening track, Newman’s 'Wild Goose Chase' is a virtuoso performance from all four: the fiddle, guitars and harp weave in around each other to create a statement of an opener. Over the next 14 tracks the almost certain disappointment never arrives and the album raises itself back to these early heights over and over.

The guitars in particular give some of the older tunes a modern twist, and scattered among the old Irish tunes are a few written by members of the quartet a bluegrass number (the first time I’ve heard bluegrass with a harp).

The last time we met Ní Chathasaigh was onFireWire and though I’m certainly not the most enthusiastic of harp admirers, Ní Chathasaigh’s harp playing is inspired, complemented by sister Casey’s fiddle playing, is really brought to the fore in 'Lament for Limerick'.

It’s Newman’s guitar playing that pulls everything together for me, especially when he gets into his groove in 'El Vals Argentino', but if you are particularly fond of harp (fiddle, etc etc) there’s every chance it will do the same for you. If the last set of reels sounds almost as though it were a different band and recorded in a totally different setting that’s because it was, marking the quartet’s creation back in 2002, and it gives the listener a pretty damn good idea why they decided to continue.

This is serious folk with a playful twist, and the combination of the two duos creates a force to be reckoned with."
- Wyl Menmuir, THE FLY, 28 November 2008

FOLKING
"This album is a real family affair featuring two of the folk scene’s favourite duos co-joined as a quartet in a real showcase in the art of performance. There’s nothing clinical in the approach to the music which comes across as entertaining and technically faultless in equal measures – a hard feat to achieve particularly in these cynical times. The musicianship of Arty, Chris, Nollaig and Maire is exquisite and I defy anyone not to be inspired by the group’s enthusiasm which will also leave you incredulous at the dexterity of each of the members flailing digits…if proof were required check out the astonishing 'El Vals Argentino'. On more subtle numbers such as 'Song Of The Harp' you can imagine the melody utilised as part of a film score to accompany panoramic landscapes and the wonderfully understated ballad 'Among The Heather' sung by Nollaig will put you in mind of sitting outside a French café sipping coffee whilst idly letting the world pass by. Soaking up the gently pulsating rhythm and bluesy guitar lead lines, joined by the interplay between fiddle and harp trust me when I say this is a seriously ‘sexy’ track and you’ll just have to buy the CD to see what I mean. Unlike so many (predominantly) instrumental albums I receive where certain tracks don’t sit comfortably within the whole package this is as near faultless as they come and of course is highly recommended."
- Pete Fyfe, FOLKING


About Heartstring Sessions

Heartstring Sessions Tracklisting

 

Heartstring Sessions Tracklisting

1) Wild Goose Chase 2) Tom Cronin’s Homework 3) Song of the Harp 4) Jigs: I ne’er shall Wean Her / The Priest in his Boots / Tomás Ó Canainn’s 5) Song: Among the Heather 6) Clan Marches: Sir Patrick Bellew’s March / An Cailín Rua Gaelach (The Red-haired Irish Girl) 7) Saturday Night Shuffle 8) Lament for Limerick / Thomond Bridge 9) The Yellow Barber / Gold Rush 10) Song: A Mháire Bhán Óg (Fair Young Mary) 11) Reel: The Shooting Star 12) Reminiscing 13) El Vals Argentino 14) Reels: The Old Bush / Spike Island Lasses / The Crooked Road

About Heartstring Sessions

Reviews of Heartstring Sessions