Search - Dervish :: Decade

The next best thing to being in a pub in Sligo, Ireland.

Michael | Placerville, CA USA | 11/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dervish is currently the absolute top shelf Irish. If you want concise proof of excellence on one single CD, this CD is it, the best of their music over the last decade. If you want further proof in a more up close and very personally Irish approach, try the 2 CD set "Live in Palma" with all of the proper introductions of the music by the musicians. One reviewer criticizes all of the talk, but in Ireland it is all about friends, family, roots and community. Do you want to understand the culture from which the music is drawn? Cathy Jordan's vocals are among the best Celtic vocals on CD. My favorite Dervish vocals (among many) is "Peigin mo chroi." This is a Gaelic Karoakie on the Palma album and here a performance. One of the pleasures of a live performance or their VHS tape is to see her playing the bodhran (Irish Drum)and bones. Cathy is my Irish Gypsy Queen, as even without instruments she is moving to the music like a teenager. Dervish has a team of two-strings per note instruments, the exceptionally strong playing of the Irish Bouzouki (Octave Mandolin) by Michael Holmes, together with Brian McDonagh on Octave Mandolin and Seamus O'Dowd on Guitar. The chords and counterpart harmonies are intricate and exquisite. I regard this three person team as the trademark rhythm and chord arrangement of songs that make Dervish unique. Liam Kelly on low whistle(flute)plays an exceptionally strong lead, starting with the "Kilavill set," my favorite Dervish instrumental. Completing the group with some of the finest Irish talent are Shane Mitchell on button Accordion/Concertina (winner of the all Ireland award) and Tom Morrow (winner of the all Ireland award also)on Fiddle. Tom's casual eye contact and smile through the most demanding sets makes fiddling look too easy. On the other hand Shane's eyes shut for music meditations are a tribute to playing by ear and instincts. Dervish has its own website, and I would urge anyone who loves real traditional Irish Music to get aquainted with a group that seems to be one of the pace setters right now. This site includes videos. I would urge US distributors to carry their VHS tape "The Midsummer Night Session," the next best thing to being in the Sibin pub in Sligo County with friends and family enjoying good stout, good company and good music. This includes Sligo's favorite, toothless, Irish grandfather, and flute legend Seamus Tansy. Either "Decade" or "Live in Palma" are on a need-to-hear basis and are must have CD's for anyone that loves Irish the traditional way with acoustic instruments."