Oh man, last weekend I was up at the Gaelic American Club in Connecticut to see the Strayaways, that new group that includes Kevin Burke, Dylan Foley and Eamon O’Leary. They put on a great show. Music was superb, of course (as was the GAC’s organization and hospitality), but I was especially impressed with the group’s presentation and top tier audience engagement. The Strayaways are a band so fresh they’ve yet to put up a website, so keep your ears peeled for them. I’m not sure when they’ll be on the road next but if you have a chance to catch them, grab it – you won’t be disappointed.
If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s how much I dig the combination of banjo and button accordion. With this in mind, then, you can just imagine how delighted I am to have Elaine Reilly & Daithí Gormley’s new eponymous album in the media yoke this week. Reilly (banjo) and Gormley (button accordion) have a special musical connection (which makes sense, given they’re married) and they’ve shared it with listeners on this, their first full album together. If you’re a fan of the banjo/box combo – or even someone who just loves extremely well done pure drop traditional music – you’ll want to know about this one, it’s a real delight.
Reilly comes from Granard, Co. Longford. A superb banjo player, she won the senior All-Ireland banjo title in 2014, and in 2024 released “Epiphany,” her solo debut. She’s performed widely over the years, including the Ace & Deuce of piping concert, the Return to London Town festival, the Patrick O’Keefe festival, Sessions with the Pipers and TradFest ’25. Further, she’s taught at Scoil Eigse, the Willie Clancy Summer School and, this past year appeared at both the Catskills Irish Arts Week (as did Daithí!) and the O’Flaherty Music Retreat. She’s also been featured on the TG4 programs “Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy” and “Geantraí” and is one of the most interesting banjo players active today.
Gormley hails from Lavally, Co. Sligo, which is nestled between Ballintogher and Riverstown. A brilliant button accordion player, he won the senior All-Ireland in 2015 and released, “Fiddling Without A Bow,” his solo debut, in 2018. Gormley not only learned from some incredible folks, like P.J. Hernon and Joe Burke, but he led the vaunted Knocknashee Céilí Band to several years of high achievement in the All-Ireland. He also has some fascinating family connections to the deeper tradition, as his maternal great-grandfather was David Sheriden, a well-known Sligo melodeon player from the area and his paternal grandmother’s cousin was Sligo fiddle legend James Morrison.
Joining Reilly and Gormley here is Brian McGrath, one of today’s great backers (also one of our finest banjo players), who provides piano accompaniment throughout. McGrath raises all boats on every recording he’s on and this one is no exception. Reilly and Gormley are an already impressive duo, but McGrath’s contributions bring the album a sweetness that enhances the melody work as a whole.
There are so many fine tracks here to choose from. “The Rakes of Drumlish / …” sets the tone and is broadly characteristic of what the album offers. Musically, we hear Reilly and Gormley fitting together perfectly. They play with fantastic lift, one’s playing being the mirror of the other’s. I love how the timbral blend of their banjo and accordion builds on this, giving the album a resonant, pleasing sound throughout.
But what brings this element together so nicely is the great good taste that’s gone into the album’s tune selection. There’s nothing run of the mill here in terms of the tunes, but there is a lot background behind each one to read about, allowing listeners to get a developed sense of the album’s influences and inspirations. “Kitty of Oulart / …,” “Charlie Mulvihill’s / …,” and “The Smokey Chimney / …” are lovely tracks, all exquisitely executed, that are filled with interesting tunes. Names like Tony Linnane, Michael Coleman, Charlie Mulvihill, Larry Redican, and James Cullinan are called in the notes for the tracks in a way that offers a wider perspective. One of the great tracks for me is “The Ballroom Favourite / …”. A barndance/reel set, it recalls the influences of John McKenna, Michael Gorman, and Paddy Killoran. The playing is especially excellent, but the sourcing of the track brings additional interest.
Gormley and Reilly also each have a solo feature, “The Barge Inn / …” features the former and “Caught in the Surf / …,” the latter. Both tracks reveal why both musicians are considered top of their fields. They’re lovely.
“Eileen Reilly & Daithí Gormley” is a fabulous album. Reilly and Gormley’s affinity for each other comes through in their music with gusto. The playing is thoughtful and the selection well considered. If you love deeply rooted traditional music played at a gorgeous pace, this is an album for you. Highly recommended! To learn more and purchase, visit https://elainereillydaithigormley.bandcamp.com/.
