A master musician at the height of his powers
T. Madden | Glen Ridge, NJ USA | 04/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is traditional Irish music played by a master musician at the height of his powers. Sound quality, tune selection, arrangements, etc. are all great. Album pace is perfect, with just enough change in tempo from track to track to keep it interesting. On the day it arrived I played the entire cd through three times in a row before I could get up and do anything else. Tony is an awesome fiddle player with full command of a number of styles. Little touches here and there in his playing hint at his broad range, but the music never strays very far from the core of Irish Trad. While there are a number of guests on the recording, they really compliment Tony's playing. This is not a collection of duets, but a cohesive, personal musical statement. Powerful, sensitive, uplifting music.
Liner notes are fab as well, from some of the most knowledgeable people writing about Irish Traditional music today."
Master of the Sligo Style
Terence Winch | 11/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tony DeMarco's playing has a paradoxical twist---there's an almost ethereal delicacy layered over an authoritative, melodic drive. The result is exciting and incredible playing that you won't mistake for anyone else's. Though Tony---a Brooklynite of Italian-Irish heritage---synthesizes all kinds of influences in his music (including bluegrass and jazz), the end result is pure Irish fiddle music in the Sligo tradition. It has been far too long a wait for this first solo album by one of Irish music's contemporary greats. But the wait is over and this extraordinary CD is now out there for all to hear."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1