Oldtime Records meets an elite standard when reissuing music.
By Daniel Neely
As a huge fan of early Irish music recordings and of Irish traditional music history in general, I am absolutely thrilled by “The Fiddler’s Delight: Rare 78rpm Irish Fiddle Recordings 1921-1945,” a new reissue package of recordings from Oldtime Records. The CD’s 24 never previously reissued tracks showcase a range of styles and some truly virtuosic performances, all the while maintaining a high level of charm. It is a most welcome set of vintage recordings and one fans of the old music will want to have.
Dedicated to what they call the “golden age” of Irish music, Oldtime Records meets an elite standard when it comes to reissuing music from this era. As on all the label’s offerings, the transfers are superb, made from the best available 78rpm discs. In terms of quality, this set joins Oldtime’s other offerings, including the two volumes of rare recordings of bands and individual performers, the one volume that focuses on uilleann pipers, the set that spotlights the work of accordionist Peter Conlon, and the set that explores women playing Irish Traditional Music. They are all excellent.
Many of the tracks here are by household names in traditional fiddling and they are all fabulous. Paddy Killoran's “Memories of Ballymote / …,” Paddy Sweeney “Concert Reel / …,” and Hugh Gillespie’s “McCormick’s Hornpipe,” for example, are all knockout tracks. (Incidentally, each of these players is represented twice.)
The set also includes two Michael Coleman tracks that will be new to many. “Harvest Home,” is lovely and well worth hearing, but aficionados will be especially interested in the never previously reissued alternate take of “Trim the Velvet.” While most acolytes will be familiar with Coleman’s rendering of this tune, it was originally issued in two states that had slightly different matrix numbers. The differences between the two performances are subtle and while both are commanding, a close listening reveals insight into Coleman’s approach to improvisation and variation.
Many of the album’s tracks feature musicians who might be perhaps less known but who impress nevertheless.Frank Quinn, for example, whose playing never seems to get the attention it deserves, shines of "Templehouse Reel." Martin Mullen, who was a short time member of Dan Sullivan’s Shamrock Band, excels on “Johnny Knocked Over His Uncle.” “Dowd’s Favorite / …,” by Co. Longford fiddler Jim Clark, is an excellent track, as is The Comerford Trio’s “Rocky Road to Dublin / …” which features lovely playing by a Mrs. Sheridan (daughter of Bridget Kenny) accompanied by a somewhat haunting piano.One of the standouts is "The Traveler" by Patrick J. Cawley of County Sligo. It’s the only track he ever recorded but it’s excellent.
The set comes in a DVD-style packaging and includes a colorful booklet. The liner notes are short but informative and are accompanied by numerous images and label scans. In keeping with past issues from Oldtime, some artwork, including the drawing on the cover of Paddy Sweeney and the drawing of Hugh Gillespie inside the booklet, were provided by famed artist Robert Crumb, which adds a stylish touch to the excellent presentation.
I am thrilled with “The Fiddler’s Delight.” It is an exceptionally well curated reissue that gives a broad stylistic snapshot of Irish fiddle music in the interwar years. Despite being built from sources long removed from the state of the art, the sound quality is excellent. Once again, Oldtime Records has exceeded expectation. This set is an absolute must-have for fiddle players as it is for anyone interested in the nuances of Irish music history. If you love the older styles, there’s really nothing to not like here – I can’t recommend it more highly. This and other Oldtime Records CD sets can be ordered at www.oldtimerecords.com.
