Irish Times ‘CD of the Week’, 27 November 2009 This week's CD choice reviewed - FIDIL 3 Claddagh Records ***** "The arc of the bow and the delicate musicality of the four fiddle strings are celebrated with a rare mix of virtuosity and sheer joie de vivre on 3. Ciarán Ó Maonaigh and Aidan O’Donnell already sizzled on their 2008 duo debut, Fidil . Now, just 18 months later, they’ve morphed their debut CD title to herald the arrival of a fiddling trio, with fellow Donegal player Damien McGeehan joining their ranks. Fiddle trios are a rare sighting in the traditional music firmament, and Fidil have carved a niche. Their sound soars with a confidence born of an intense love affair with their Donegal inheritance. The highlands set, The Laddie With the Pladdie , epitomises the rootedness of Fidil’s music, its accent clearly defining the shape of the tunes. Yet the interplay of the three fiddlers’ personalities propels it into the present, where they can make it their own, as they might turn a piece of long-cherished wood on a lathe. However, this is no straight-up collection for traditional music lovers. Fidil’s reading of the descriptive piece, The Hunt of the Hound and the Hare , could be a masterclass in the avant-garde, with its bold and sassy excavation of the excitement and terror of the hunt, animated by an indelible curiosity about the experience of both hunter and hunted. Even a well-worn reel such as The Pigeon at the Gate is invigorated by the pirouetting interplay of the three fiddles. Here is a place where strings are plucked and caressed, tickled and swept into fresh air by three exceptional and ambitious musicians who still cosset the music of their home place with unyielding affection. 3 is a masterclass in the marriage of tradition and musical exploration, and a milestone in traditional music." SIOBHÁN LONG Contents: 1. Wellington's Advance /Hudí Gallagher's March - Jigs - 3:22 2. John Doherty's / The Tullaghan Lassies / Old Cuffe Street - Reels - 3:45 3. Francie Dearg's - Hornpipe - 2:03 4. The Hunt of the Hound and the Hare - Descriptive Piece - 4:15 5. Paddy Bartley's / The Bluestack / The Laddie with the Pladdie / Kafoozalum - Highlands - 4:22 6. Alec McConnell's - Waltz - 3:21 7. The Low Highland / Farewell to Erin - Highland & Reel - 3:22 8. Martin Wilson's / Napoleon Crossing the Rhine - Marches - 3:36 9. The Loughros Point / The Pigeon on the Gate - Reels - 2:48 10. Hector the Hero - Lament - 3:29 11. The Postman's Knock - 1:32 12. The Royal Artillery Band / Statten Island / Dinkie Dorrian's - Reels - 3:44 13. McConnell's Barndance / Francie Mooney's German - Barndance & German - 5:38 Artist Information Biography CD of the week and the first ever traditional music album to receive a 5 star review in The Irish Times, Fidil's new CD '3' has been described as "...a milestone in Irish Music!" and a "...timeless album and a truly essential addition to your collection". All hailing from Donegal, what makes Fidil's achievement even more remarkable is the fact that they didn't use any conventional accompaniment such as Guitars, Bodhrans, Piano's etc. It is their diverse and groundbreaking use of fiddles coupled with the depth of lore and tunes of the Donegal fiddle tradition which make Fidil one of the most unique and entertaining ensembles in Irish Traditional Music. Fidil's line-up is composed of three Donegal fiddle players; 2010 TG4 Young Musician of the Year Aidan O'Donnell; Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, a former TG4 Young Musician of the year and nephew of Altan's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh; and Damien McGeehan whose unique ability to bring different sounds and technique's to the fiddle helps see Fidil go boldly where no Trad band has gone before. Fidil were formed in 2008 when Ciarán Ó Maonaigh & Aidan O'Donnell released a duet CD of the same name to widespread crittical acclaim. They quickly morphed into a 3 piece and were awarded the Young Musicwide Award by Music Network in 2008. Over this past year they have toured extensively, including New York, London, Canada, Iceland, Latvia and Macedonia. Fidil created a bang in November 2009 with the release of their album '3' which was described as “...a masterclass in the marriage of tradition and musical exploration, and a milestone in traditional music." (Siobhan Long, Irish Times) and "...this is a reminder of how magnificent the fiddle can be, especially when these instruments are in the hands of such young masters... another timeless album and a truly essential addition to your collection." (Seán Laffey, Irish Music Magazine) Instrumentation Aidan O'Donnell (Fiddles) Ciaran Ó Maonaigh (Fiddles) Damien McGeehan (Fiddles) For more information check out www.fidilmusic.com or www.myspace.com/fidilcd