Michael McGoldrick
Michael McGoldrick has been called "the flute man of the moment" by Living Tradition. Colin Irwin, from Folk Roots says: "His pedigree is immaculate and traditional music is very evidently in his blood. Yet in his swooping style there is also a very real sense of the impromptu and willingness to explore areas beyond the natural roots. He is also an adept uilleann piper suggesting that here is indeed a star in the making. This album is clear evidence of an exciting burgeoning talent" For those who know Michael McGoldrick's playing, such a review from such a respected music critic as Colin Irwin will come as no great surprise. For those of you who have not yet heard Michael, be prepared - his music will grab you by the ears, lift you up, dust you down and leave you feeling so good that even watching a Party Political broadcast couldn't bring you down. In short, enthusiasm positively bursts out of the music. 1995 winner of the BBC Radio Two Young Tradition Award, Michael has been playing flutes and whistles virtually since birth. He was taught the tin whistle by his father, originally from County Galway, and at the age of 11 won the All-Britain Fleadh Cheoil on the same tin whistle. At the age of 16, Michael joined Manchester based Celtic-rockers Toss The Feathers and was a founding member of the recent phenomenon that is Flook! who graced the cover of Folk Roots before they had even released a single recording. His first solo album - 'Morning Rory' was released in October '96 and charted at No.1 for 5 weeks in the Irish Folk & Roots charts. He is these days, as his friends will tell you, one very, very busy man. In the last 2 years alone he has toured the USA with the RTE Concert Orchestra, packed his suitcases for Brazil, Australia, Canada, the USA, France, Spain and the UK with the Scottish supergroup, Capercaillie, and with the hottest property in Irish music, Lunasa; he has toured England and Ireland extensively. But it is as a soloist that has resulted in his live shows being described as the 'Michael McGoldrick' experience! His current live outfit includes some of the most exciting musicians in this field of music, all of whom have worked on his brand new album - 'Fused' which shows him at the cutting edge of Celtic music, drawing on musical influences from traditional, through world jazz to experimental hip-hop. Musicians performing in the band include fiddle master Dezi Donnelly (Stockton's Wing and current Irish Traditional Young musician of the year)), Alan Kelly from Galway on accordion, Donald Shaw on keyboards, Ewen Vernal on bass (both from 'Capercaillie'). On drums and percussion the ubiquitous James Mackintosh (Shooglenifty) and Che Beresford from Manchester. Jon Joe Kelly on bodhran, Ed Boyd on guitar (both from the acclaimed 'Flook!'), Andy Jones on electric guitar and the unique sound of Neil Yates on trumpet. As if that's not enough, his staggering festival appearances this year (Celtic Connections, Irish Heart at the Barbican and Festival Interceltique de Lorient) have included guest spots from the stunning Irish singer Karan Casey (Solas) and some world class breakdancers. So don't miss the next gig! '..Flawless and utterly comfortable... one of the hottest properties around. '- Irish Music 'A complex potent brew of styles blending Celtic with Indian before swinging into jazz and then switching into hip hop. Not at all kitch, this fusion is a unique and brilliant combination. McGoldrick is a rare pearl. He can pull off the impossible' - Ouest - France, Festival Interceltique de Lorient '99