August 2004
The Lake of Learning is by Tim O'Shea, and is out on Lackeen Records. Tim and his friends are from the Sliabh Luachra area of Kerry and also of the County Clare.
We love The Lake of Learning. The album headline is " Tim O'Shea and Friends ". This is gloriously true. Tim is surrounded by some gifted musicians here, including Barry McGee on concertina, Paddy Jones on fiddle, Ger Culhane on accordion and Matt Bashford on pipes, low whistles and clarinet! Tim plays guitar beautifully, and has a wonderful, true and terrific voice. This is traditional music that makes a difference. A wonderful take on the tradition. And, yes, of course all the Sliabh Luachra and Clare swing is here, the lift, the intonation, phrasing and the soul.
There are trad song standards including one of our favorites, Willie Taylor, joined by Reconciliation ( a beautiful bit of business by Ron Kavana ), Freedom Is Like Gold from Andy Stewart and the title song, Lake of Learning by Tim himself. We really love this voice. Sure, confident and true. This album is the real deal. This would be impossible if the star, Tim, were not the deal himself. Album after album is put in front of us that tries to achieve what is easily offered here. This is an album by a singer and musicians who love and believe in what they are doing. Men about their business. The instrumentals are varied and brill. These must truly be friends and long-time fellow players with Tim, as they all blend together so naturally and beautifully. This is an immediate contender for this year's Vocal/Instrumental Album of the Year Award here on LiveIreland A wonderful voice joins with wondrously played polkas, beautiful airs, reels, slides, slow reels----what more can we ask?? This is a winner all the way 'round!! The airs are especially beautiful--one from Tim on solo guitar, one from Barry McGee on concertina. They are perfect, and really complete the album. We have written in the past that one of the most disturbing trends in the tradition is that so many new players ( and some experienced ones whom we are tempted to name, but won't ) apparently think that the tunes should be played at Mach 1 speed, all the tunes should be blisteringly fast, and we will all think, "Boy!!! Can these people play!! " Nothing could be further from the truth. This album is tastefully put together, balanced---and everything is presented at a tempo that suits trad to perfection. Music from Clare and the Sliabh Luachra is all about intonation, phrasing and the "swing"----and these all are exactly what are left behind when this music is played too swiftly. Not here. These lads know what they are doing, and what's what!
The more we listen to this album, the more and more and more we love it. Get this lovely thing by going to timoshea99@hotmail.com. or get to the website--www.timosheaandfriends.com I'm listening to Willie Taylor as I write this. Wow!! Get this album. Really!
