Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford | The Star Above The Garter [CD]

One of the most celebrated fiddle albums of all-time back onto CD. Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford, brother and sister, are heirs to the fiddle tradition of Sliabh Luachra, the mountainous area on the Cork/Kerry border.

The album features just the two siblings’ brilliant fiddles with no other accompaniment, and upon listening to the record you will realise nothing else is needed. Their dance music is music of the local sets but is played as much for the ear as for the feet, producing a range of emotions over the length of the record. Their airs are overpowering in their depth of feeling and for sheer traditional technique this is one of the best fiddle records ever made, with an equally as memorable album cover by celebrated French artist Catherine Folatre.

‘The Star Above The Garter’ has influenced traditional Irish fiddling since its release in 1969, still retaining the sense of that era whilst sounding innovative, and above all deserving to be heard.

Pick up a copy at Ben O’Neill’s music Shop Dungarvan.