Celtic Fire
Not only is John Whelan one of Ireland's finest button accordion players, but the original compositions onCeltic Fireshow that he is becoming one of its most accomplished composers in the traditional style as well. If you didn't know he wrote selections like "Jigs #1 & #2" and "Reels #1 & #2" (he does need to work on his titles), you would swear they've been played in pub sessions and around kitchen tables for generations. Most of the selections here are played at very lively tempos, but even at the quickest pace Whelan and his talented crew of backing musicians never falter. The one slow tune, the haunting waltz "Father," stands out in sharp relief against the frantic pace of the rest of the dance pieces.Celtic Fireis a fine collection of tunes played with a maximum of passion and a minimum of pretension.--Michael Simmons