Oisín Mac Diarmada – Lane to the Glen (Ceol Productions, 2024)
Oisín Mac Diarmada, renowned fiddler from the band Téada, has released a new album, Lane to the Glen, in collaboration with button accordionist Daithí Gormley and pianist Samantha Harvey. This self-released album, available on Mac Diarmada’s Ceol Productions label, is a delightful, joyful and heartfelt homage to the rich tradition of Irish music from County Sligo, featuring the timeless trio format of fiddle, accordion, and piano.
Lane to the Glen revisits rare tunes from the early to mid-20th century, the height of Sligo’s musical legacy. Tracks include compositions by iconic figures such as Ed Reavy, Charlie Lennon, and Paddy O’Brien, capturing the transatlantic influence of Irish music as it was enthusiastically transported by Sligo immigrants to American dance halls and studios. Key inspirations include the groundbreaking recordings of Michael Coleman, which helped define the era’s sound.
Mac Diarmada and Gormley, both rooted in Sligo’s music and history, previously collaborated on the Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook in 2017, a compilation of transcriptions celebrating Sligo’s fiddle tradition. Meanwhile, Harvey, originally from California and a frequent collaborator with Téada, adds subtle and expressive piano backing, complementing the duo’s authentic Irish sound.
Daithí Gormley is widely regarded as one of the finest Irish button accordion players of his generation, and his style is deeply grounded in the rich musical heritage of his native county, Sligo. His 2018 debut album Fiddling without a Bow – Irish Traditional Music on Button Accordion, an expressive mix of old and new tunes in homage to past masters of Irish music, received wide acclaim.
Samantha Harvey, originally from Ventura, California now living in Sligo, is an award-winning step dancer and piano player. Samantha’s trademark energetic performances have seen her become a prominent touring performer and teacher. She appears frequently with Téada, and released The Green Branch, an album of fiddle and piano, with her husband Oisín Mac Diarmada in 2015.
Buy Lane to the Glen.
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.