David Davidson: Celtic Fantasy

By

C. MICHAEL BAILEY,

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor - Since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: September 1, 2000

Angela's Ashes. I am frightfully ignorant of what currently called "Celtic" or "Traditional Irish" music. This ignorance has led me to invest in some truly horrible recordings. It never seems that I can find exactly what I am looking for. Add to this that "Celtic" or "Traditional Irish" music may be totally different genre's, but in my ignorance I equate the two. The best that I can tell, "Celtic Music" can be divided into the upbeat, traditional and the melancholy. Some Canadian friends introduced me to the former in graduate school. At my first listen, I remarked that this music was "Bluegrass without the blues". I made the connection between traditional Irish music and bluegrass both technically and sociologically. This music is typically upbeat and positive and very real. There exists another side of the Celtic temperament that is dark, serious, and brooding. After seeing (and reading) Angela's Ashes, I understand.

Finally, I have heard a "Celtic" disc worth recommending. David Davidson's Celtic Fantasy is a collection of Celtic inspired original compositions centered on Davidson's darkly romantic violin. The music is a loose integration of schizophrenic elements that include introspective, assertive, hopeful, enduring, and sad temperaments all at the same time. The music has a comfortable, familiar tone that should please all Celticophiles. The music is superbly arranged and performed, very much in keeping with the traditional Celtic spirit, while being shown against a modern back drop. My single quibble is the use of electric instruments, but then again, that is a personal preference. This disc will please all that hear it and it is heads and shoulders above most of which has been released.

Track Listing: Farmer's Hand Introduction; Fairy Dance; Summer Skye; Brighid's Blessing; Mo Cairenn; Farmer's Hand; The Fianna Bottle Song; The Knowing Tree; The Garden; Myst On The Glen; Mother Sun; Fantasy And Dance; Fields Of The Heart; Farmer's Hand. (Total Time: 53:30)

Personnel: David Davidson: Violin.

Record Label: Green Hill | Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream