Search - Liz Doherty :: Last Orders

What a debut!

Peter Kasin | California | 05/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the outstanding qualities of Donegal fiddling is it's strong, vibrant bowing and one of it's shining lights is the young fiddler Liz Doherty. Her debut solo CD is a celebration of the living tradition of Irish fiddling, with many tunes very recently composed by various Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton musicians. Doherty's playing is assured, confident, and brilliant, and there is a celebratory feel to this whole recording. The partly Scottish roots of Donegal music come through in the selection of some strathspeys and Scottish-influenced tunes known as highlands. (A highland is a type of dance originated in Donegal, with the tunes often being Scottish strathspeys with the rhythm less syncopated) There are some albums which have tracks that become obsessions, and for me, track 10, "Mutt's Favorite," where she includes some Cape Breton tunes is the one I keep coming back to over and over again for it's sheer brilliance of musicianship. There is also excellent guitar, piano, and bodhran accompaniment. Overall, very well worth having in your fiddle music collection. Can't wait for her next effort!"