CD REVIEWS

CD REVIEWS

Bridgetown Johnny Connolly Green Linnet

While "Bridgetown" represents the first solo release by Dubliner Johnny Connolly, we've seen and heard him before. When Connolly was 17, his skill on the button accordion earned him a place in the well-known Celtic ensemble Anam.

Connolly spent two years with Anam, touring festivals and concerts, honing his skills, and earning a reputation as a young, solid player of traditional Irish music. Along the way, he has performed with the likes of Kevn Burke (who appears on three tracks of "Bridgetown"), The Chieftains, Patrick Ourceau, and Aidan Brennan. Not bad company for someone who is now only 26 years old.

While Irish accordion is often equated with a chugging style suited to compete with the noise of a ceili dance, Connolly's playing on "Bridgetown" is mindful of the listener. It wouldn't be fair to call Connolly's playing relaxed or gentle. A particular set of reels including "Splendid Isolation", "Brefni O'Reilly's", and "Ormond Sound" shouldn't be played while driving - you'll get a shouldn't be played while driving - you'll get a speeding ticket.

Nonetheless, Connolly packs a lot of oomph into his playing without assaulting the ears.

Bridgetown" is composed mainly of Irish tunes, but also draws on Connolly's large repertoire of French tunes. This album includes some lovely, bright musettes as well as French/Breton arrangements. Whether Irish or French, Connolly's settings and arrangements are interesting and solid.

"Bridgetown" is the kind of first solo release that makes a second solo release intimidating. Connolly has already set the bar at a high level, and we can only took forward to seeing him equal or better himself in the future.

"Bridgetown"...