Luke daniels Art of Trio

For his latest recording, accordionist Luke Daniels combines his talents with two great musicians from Ireland. Theresa Kavanagh (fiddle) and Mike Galvin (guitar) to create an album that sets a new standard for the small traditional music ensemble.

Arrangements of early field recordings from the RTE and Traditional Irish Music Archives in Dublin draw on the fiddle music of Kavanagh’s home in North West Donegal, in particular the playing of Con and Frank Cassidy. There are also three ballads sung by Daniels and new tunes from across the Atlantic in Nova Scotia. Galvin’s 1973 Les Paul custom guitar featured throughout lends a subtle and contemporary feel that departs from the rhythmically driven guitar styles that have defined Irish music in recent years.

This is a thoughtful and provocative album combining beautifully crafted arrangements with performances from all three players that are outstanding in their own right. Daniels recovers much of the finesse of his early recordings and his reach within the Irish tradition continues to push it forward, albeit with a smaller group whilst the original source material, meticulously researched, is held up as star and purpose for this record.