“At First Light have taken traditional music and injected new life, new interpretations and new vitality……”

At First Light – Idir

by Neil McFadyen on 23 December, 2011

★★★★
Although it’s a debut release for At First Light, Idir has more musical history behind it than that would imply. John McSherry, Dónal O’Connor and Francis McIlduff already have a 2008 collaboration, Tripswitch, under their belt and are no strangers to the traditional music scene. All three have made their mark in many ways – John McSherry as a founding member of Lúnasa and Coolfin, Dónal O’Connor while touring with Lúnasa and Cathal McConnell, and recording with Brian Kennedy and Moya Brennan. While Francis McIlduff has provided his prodigious bodhrán and piping skills for Irish folk-rock outfit Alias Ron Kavana, Sin É and After Hours. That’s a lot of musical pedigree behind a debut album.

The gentle Breton opening of The Magnificent Six gradually builds towards a more spirited offering celebrating a mild mannered Jack Russell. Following close on its heels, Ar Thóir an Donn is a set of lively tunes built around Dónal O’Connor’s celebration of the legendary Queen Méabh of  ancient Ulster. Soon the guest vocals of Ciara McCrickard bring a new dimension in Aird Uí Chuain (The Quiet Land of Erin). Ciara’s singing is throaty, but soft, with a delightful and unmistakable County Down accent that’s also evident in Courting is a Pleasure.

It would be trite, and unjustified, to simply describe this album as ‘just like Lúnasa’. John McSherry’s influence is inevitable, but in no way the predominant flavour. The album also showcases the various members’ more individual talents. Dónal O’Connor’s fiddle is husky and lean or fast and furious as required. Having two players of uilleann pipes, low whistle etc, provides scope for exhilarating explorations of the mainly traditional material they draw from. At times this can consist of gentle harmonies, such as in the first of the Bethan’s Dance set; Song of the Chanter, and also some invigorating and skillful piping duets.

There are some very distinctive passages – El Garrotín opens with a Renaissance Volta and leads to a beautiful Asturian melody learned from that region’s Llan de Cubel. In Roy’s Hands, written by Finbar Furey in honour of the late Roy Williamson, the listener is delighted, despite the sombre pace, by the sound of two uilleann pipes harmonizing. If you enjoy pipes, it’s a sound that can’t be rivaled.

Before we know where we are, the album comes to a wild, stomping conclusion with The Pipers of Roguery. Throughout the album the songs and tunes on offer are given further depth and colour thanks to contributions by Michael McCague and Ruben Bada (Bouzouki, Guitar), and guitar virtuoso Tony Byrne.

With Idir, At First Light have presented a hugely enjoyable collection of tunes and songs that will be treasured by listeners. Again, we have a group of musicians who have taken traditional music and injected new life, new interpretations and new vitality. I suspect this album is going to be at the top of my play list quite for some time, it’s an absolute delight. And I know who’s just gone to the top of my wish list for Celtic Connections too!

“…arrangements that are sublime in their structure”

At First Light are back in fine form with their second album Idir, released close to six years after their debut release.

The band was established in 2001 when ‘Lúnasa’ founders John McSherry and Michael McGoldrick released their critically acclaimed collaborative album, ‘At First Light’. The line up has changed since then with the addition of Uilleann piper and bodhrán player Francis McIlduff (of the famous McPeake clan) bringing a new mix of dual pipes to their live gigs. Shortly after the name At First Light was adopted.

The opening to the album is a magnificant masterclass of interplay between flute and pipes in arrangements that have elements of Bill Whelan or Cormac Breatnach. However this opening shows that these musicians can soar above these fine talents with arrangements that are sublime in their structure. The opening set is amply named The Magnificent Six. The second set of reels is as equally impressive with self compositions added to the mix.

This sets the tone for a an album that includes slides, hop jigs, airs and reels with some fine vocal performances from Ciara McCrickard. The fiddle playing of Dónal O’Connor is never lost behind the uilleann pipes and provides many shifts in tempo which add a well balanced variety to the album. This adds significantly to it’s overall feel, keeping the listener interested throughout. The closing set of reels again include self compositions with the mix between guitar, pipes and bodhrán simply magnificent. All in all a very enjoyable experience and here is looking forward to their next outing.

Guest musicians include Tony Byrne, Ruben Bada, Michael McCague on guitar and bouzouki.

Tony Lawless

Idir - At First Light Records ****

Five years after their spine-tingling debut, and after their triumphant collaboration with Bob Brozman on Six Days in Down , At First Light have released a thoughtful collection. Piper John McSherry and fiddler Dónal O’Connor form the backbone of their sound, with Francis McIlduff (of the McPeake family), adding subtle bodhrán percussion and pipes. McSherry’s piping is a glorious mix of hauteur and melancholy, and his own composition, the high-stepping, devil-may-care The Pipers of Roguery celebrates the stately grandeur of the pipes magnificently. O’Connor’s throaty fiddle lines are similarly assured, his mastery of phrasing soaring on his own composition Ar Thóir na Donn . In fact, the band’s marriage of tunes is everywhere inventive, with Cloonagroe and My Mary Anne equal parts grace and danger. The inclusion of two songs from guest vocalist Ciara McCrickard is a distraction, however – At First Light need little embellishment. See atfirstlight.net

Click here for review on Irish Times website>>

At First Light are set to literally light the way for authentic Irish Traditional music this decade with their debut album, ‘Idir’. Masterful musicianship from John McSherry, Dónal O’Connor, Francis McIlduff and their guests, the finest in the Celtic world, explores fresh perspectives on the living tradition. Each member of the group has influenced Celtic folk music, from featuring on Grammy-award winning recordings to collaborating live with the world’s greatest folk and contemporary artists. Their album is aptly titled ‘Idir’ – Gaelic for between and among, and reflects their growing status as leading luminaries on the international stage.

In 2001, when Lúnasa founders John McSherry and Michael McGoldrick recorded their acclaimed album ‘At First Light’, festival demands required a gigging outfit. In came ‘Dundalk fiddle prodigy’ Dónal O’Connor and Belfast guitarist Paul McSherry, of Tamalin fame – a hectic touring schedule ensued.

2006 saw the release of ‘Tripswitch’, described by Living Tradition as ‘Acoustic Perfection’. The album brought McSherry and O’Connor together, for the first time, with the Uilleann piping and bodhrán skills of Francis McIlduff of the McPeake clan. It was during these sessions that the group, At First Light, was born. Duelling Uilleann pipes became a feature of the band’s gigs, a unique dimension to their sound not heard since the heady days of Moving Hearts.

2010 saw At First Light collaborate with the world renowned guitarist Bob Brozman, to produce the critically lauded ‘Six Days in Down’. That same year, At First Light introduced guest singer and fiddle player Ciara McCrickard to enthusiastic audiences at concerts throughout Ireland and Europe. Ciara carries the pedigree of the great Ulster song tradition into the new millennium, having learned at the feet of many of the masters. Her crystalline tone and intricate turns, combined with her vocal honesty, bring to audiences, a voice that only comes along once in a generation.

As collaborators with Clannad, Donal Lunny, Moya Brennan, The Corrs or Sinead O’Connor, or as highly respected players in the traditional field, Idir symbolizes each individual member’s willingness to embrace the ever evolving genre that is traditional Irish music. From the plaintive call of the great Ulster anthem Aird Uí Chuain to the Iberian swing of El Garrotín, an Asturian piping tune now part of the Flamenco tradition, At First Light display their diverse tastes and ability to delve into the different Celtic traditions.

As well as beautiful arranged traditional pieces, the album also includes several original compositions from the members. Rolling in Rosemount is a tip of the hat to the Sliabh Luachra, Polka and Slide masters, Tara’s Temper features Irish phrasing in a typically Breton rhythm, Ar Thóir an Donn is a traditional reel written in reference to the legendary Irish tale, Táin Bó Cúailnge whilst The Pipers of Roguery is a fiery piece, featuring the sound of duelling Uilleann Pipes, unique to the band.

Idir is an amalgamation of skill and understanding, friendship and musicianship; the new joinery of Irish traditional and Celtic music, pinned down with an authenticity and energy not yet seen on the global stage.

Physical copies of ‘Idir’ come with a password to access bonus material from the At First Light website, including:

• EP with unreleased live tracks
• Extended 14-page ‘Idir’ booklet with lyrics, photos and biographies
• Access to all future media, including behind the scenes and studio session videos and videos

… and more to come! Click here to order now, or find out more about ‘Idir’ over on the music page!

IDIR RELEASED AND LAUNCHED AUGUST 20th! See ‘Tour’ page for gigs listings!

At First Light are set to literally light the way for authentic Irish Traditional music this decade with their debut album, ‘Idir’. Masterful musicianship among the members and their guests, the finest in the Celtic world, will inspire and shine. Each member of the trio has influenced Celtic folk music, from featuring on Grammy-award winning recordings to collaborating live with the world’s greatest folk and contemporary artists. Their album is aptly titled ‘Idir’ – Gaelic for between and among, and reflects their collaboration as friends and artists and their work with others on the international stage.

For in-depth track information with unseen photos and a free live EP, buy the album to receive access to our exclusive fan area. Thanks for supporting independent music!

Musicians [+/-]

Tracks [+/-]

Tracklist	Info	Hear	Buy	Like
01. The Magnificent Six
02. Ar Thóir an Donn
03. Aird Uí Chuain (The Quiet Land of Erin)
04. Máire an Chúil Ór Bhuí
05. Bethan’s Dance
06. Rolling in Rosemount
07. Courting is a Pleasure
08. El Garrotín
09. Roy’s Hands
10. The Pipers of Roguery

Inspired by Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), an ancient Irish epic from The Ulster Cycle, in particular Ciarán Carson’s 2007 translation (The Táin), this ten-minute suite was composed by Dónal O’Connor after being commissioned by Louth County Council.

Musicians [+/-]

Tracks [+/-]

Tracklist	Hear	Buy	Like
01. Gort na Glaise
a) Macnamh Mhedb (Medbh’s contemplation)
b) Mórshiúl na mara (The Sea procession)
c) Ar thóir na Donn (In pursuit of the brown bull)

“John McSherry is one of the only pipers whose playing embraces the ancient strangeness of music passed on to us from centuries before while also possessing the harmonic and rhythmic sensibilities of the best of rock and contemporary music. This album spans these great fields and conveys the depth and breadth of John’s musicality!” – Donal Lunny

John McSherry is one of the finest exponents of the art of the Uilleann piping in the world. A founding member of Irish super-groups Lúnasa and the now legendary Coolfin, John is finally releasing his first solo album SOMA. A fiery blend of pipes, whistles, guitars, bouzoukis and fiddles, SOMA mixes traditional tunes with John’s own compositions. As John puts it, “My love for music embraces everything from these most ancient airs, jigs and reels to the harmonies and high powered, driving rhythms of modern music. I’d like to think of this album as a little melting pot of all the influences on my musical journey so far.” He’s been called “a true master” by Irish Music Magazine and has taken piping to new heights with his unique style. His sense for improvisation has even been compared to that of the great jazz legend John Coltrane. He’s also released two duo CDs, AT FIRST LIGHT with musical comrade Michael McGoldrick (2001 Best Traditional Album of the Year Award from Irish American News) and most recently TRIPSWITCH with Dónal O’Connor.

Musicians [+/-]

Tracks [+/-]

Tracklist	Hear	Buy	Like
01. An Bhean Chaointe
02. Atlantic Drive
03. The Stone of Destiny
04. Bádaí na Scadán
05. The Wave-Sweeper
06. The Rambles of Kitty
07. The Maid of Murlough
08. Aisling Gheal
09. The Slide From Grace
10. Áille’s Antics

‘Beo – Live at Maddens’ showcases Belfast’s finest traditional musicians, singers and dancers all of whom perform regularly at the home of traditional music in Belfast, Maddens Bar.

All proceeds from the CD are being donated to Lighthouse (formerly ‘PIPS – Public Initiative for the prevention of suicide and self harm’).

Recorded live in November 2009 and produced by Belfast based fiddle player Dónal O’Connor, the album features a collection of artists ranging from internationally renowned acts to local talent, both young and old.

Musicians [+/-]

Tracks [+/-]

Tracklist	Like
01. The Leg of the Duck
02. The Mulnashee Mazurka
03. Bonny Light Horseman
04. Sorley Boy McDonnell
05. The Rising Sun
06. Ushag Veg Ruy
07. Paddy Killoran’s Highland
08. The Mist-Covered Mountain
09. Grief (Like a Growing Vine)
10. Mick O’Connor’s
11. Munster Jig
12. Erin Go Bragh
13. Grappa Groove
14. Broderick’s Barndances
15. Maggie In The Woods

On Six Days In Down, two cutting edge talents on the Irish music scene – the masterful Uilleann piper John McSherry and fiddle virtuoso Dónal O’Connor, join forces with the globe-trotting slide-guitarist Bob Brozman, to explore fresh perspectives on the living tradition. Featuring the haunting vocals of Stephanie Makem, the trio deliver an album of startling beauty with splashes of gentle humour. [+/-]

Musicians [+/-]

Tracks [+/-]

Tracklist	Hear	Buy	Like
01. Hardiman The Fiddler
02. Brelydian
03. A Mháire Bruineall
04. Portaferry Swing
05. Róise na bhFonn (Tuneful Rose)
06. Pota Mór Fataí
07. The Slide From Grace
08. Bean An Fhir Ruaidh (The Red-Haired Man’s Wife)
09. Beer Belly Dancing
10. The Beauty Spot
10. Cailleach a’ Shúsa (The Hag In The Blanket)