Kieran Fahy is a highly regarded fiddler from Tuam, County Galway who has lived in Belgium since the late 1970’s. He has played with many noted Irish musicians but is probably best known for his work with other Belgium-based players, like Pat Kilbride, with whom he was closely associated through the 80’s, and high-profile group Shantalla, of which he was a founding member. He can play the dance music with great pace but is particularly noted for his souful interpretations of slow airs. Kieran met Duck Baker in Brussels in 1985, and the two musicians were roommates during 1986, working out fiddle/fingerstyle guitar duo versions of Irish tunes that they would perform on various tours in Belgium and the United States over the next seventeen years. Although not working together at the present time, the recordings by this duo are significant for the very unusual combination of fiddle and fingerstyle guitar. and a repertoire that focuses on the melodic side of Irish music, especially the slow airs and compositions of Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738). Duck appeared of two of Kieran’s records, “Midnight on the Water” and “The Woman of Tuam,” but most of their work together can be heard on the 1999 collaboration, “The Fairy Queen.” The CD takes its name from one of Carolan’s greatest (though seldom heard) pieces, and includes a number of other beautiful but unfamiliar tunes. “The Fairy Queen” received glowing reviews in such journals as Living Tradition (Scotland), Dirty Linen (USA), and Folk Roots (UK). Reviewing the record for Acoustic Guitar magazine, Danny Carnahan (himself a noted figure in Celtic music circles) wrote: “Letting this lovely collection of traditional tunes and airs wash over you is like eavesdropping on a conversation between two master poets. Celtic guitar fans have been copping licks from Baker for decades, and this collection offers ample new opportunities. Baker’s strengths include his way of letting a melody sing while dressing it in the simplest yet most satisfying of settings. Having Fahy’s clear and distinctive fiddle alongside just adds to the enjoyment.”