Amidst These Hills – Peadar Ó Riada

Amidst These Hills - Peadar Ó Riada


Track Listing




  1. Aoibhinn Cronan

  2. Reels: / The Ships Are Sailing / Good Morrow Little Boy

  3. Sport

  4. Im Long Me Measaim

  5. Draigheann

  6. Olann: Past

  7. Olann: Present

  8. Olann: Future

  9. Gol Na Mban San Ar

  10. Slides: / John Connell's / Move Your Arse Old Nora

  11. Suantrai




 

CD Universe description.















Peadar O Riada, son of the legendary Sean O Riada, is a composer and performer for whom the Irish tradition is a living, breathing thing, something that informs every note he writes or plays. His own work, like "Aoibhinn Crónán" or "Im Long Mé Measaim," both poems he gave settings, can range from the liturgical to the simple, such as the slow air "An Draigheann," recorded at home with a blackbird and peacock adding their utterances. The album's centerpiece, however, is stripped down even further -- "Gol Na Mban San Ar," an epic track in 13 sections that recalls the hero Alastdar Mac Colla Ciotaig, is performed only on bones and tin whistle; it takes some listening, but the experience proves to have remarkably rich depths. Echoes of his father run all through O Riada's work on this album -- the "slides" that comprise track ten were recorded on a concertina from his dad, while the closing "Suantraí," handed down through the family, is played on his father's piano. Sean O Riada expanded the horizons of Irish music, and his son seems to be doing the same. It flows from the wellspring of tradition in its beauty and lyricism, refracted through a very personal, loving lens. ~ Chris Nickson

Includes liner notes by Tony MacMahon and Peadar O Riada.

































Average Rating: 5 stars








5 stars genius
This is a beautiful album crafted by genius. Peadar O Riada, son of Sean O Riada has created an album here unlike anything his father would have done. From children singing to "Shep" being called in...this is a musical wonder. It mixes old Irish with modern sounds. The middle three "Olann" tracks (Past, Present, Future) were recorded for a museum installation piece. This will give you the reassurance that it is not all diddly di music which most people have turned awway from for some reason. Nevertheless, there are a couple of slides here, such as "Move your arse old Nora". It's a serious album that should be listened to in a dark room. Amazing.
By Thomas (Dublin)








BillBoard

AMG Review


Peadar Ó Riada, son of the legendary Sean Ó Riada, is a composer and performer for whom the Irish tradition is a living, breathing thing, something that informs every note he writes or plays. His own work, like "Aoibhinn Crónán" or "Im Long Mé Measaim," both poems he gave settings, can range from the liturgical to the simple, such as the slow air "An Draigheann," recorded at home with a blackbird and peacock adding their utterances. The album's centerpiece, however, is stripped down even further -- "Gol Na Mban San Ár," an epic track in 13 sections that recalls the hero Alastdar Mac Colla Ciotaig, is performed only on bones and tin whistle; it takes some listening, but the experience proves to have remarkably rich depths. Echoes of his father run all through Ó Riada's work on this album -- the "slides" that comprise track ten were recorded on a concertina from his dad, while the closing "Suantraí," handed down through the family, is played on his father's piano. Sean Ó Riada expanded the horizons of Irish music, and his son seems to be doing the same. It flows from the wellspring of tradition in its beauty and lyricism, refracted through a very personal, loving lens. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide


 

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