How to Tune a Fish (Compass Records, 2011)
With How to Tune a Fish, the band’s fourth album, Beoga demonstrates that they are a powerhouse in Irish music. The Northern Ireland band takes Irish traditional music and combines it with folk rock, jazz, twangy American bluegrass, and even a 1909 vaudeville song, creating an exciting collection of original and rearranged traditional pieces.
Beoga includes five outstanding musicians. Their sound is characterized by the twin dueling accordions of virtuoso musicians Seán Óg Graham and Damian Damian McKee; the soulful vocals of Niamh Dunne; and the powerful rhythm section of four-time All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and Liam Bradley’s piano. Guest musicians on the album include Irish whistles master Brian Finnegan, Brona Graham on banjo, Alana Henderson on cello, Richard Nelson on dobro, Jonny Toman on banjo, Rachel Toman on clarinet, and Gary Currie on electric guitar and bass.
The band calls its style “new wave trad” and admit that they are not purists, singing of much more than the rolling green hills of Ireland. How to Tune a Fish was recorded over the last year (2010) in their respective basements, living rooms and bathrooms.
How to Tune a Fish fizzes with energy and takes Irish music in surprising directions.
Buy the album or MP3 downloads:
- In North America: How to Tune a Fish. Other recordings available: The Incident, A Lovely Madness, Mischief
- In Europe: How to Tune a Fish. Other recordings available: The Incident, A Lovely Madness, Mischief
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
