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"If Sliabh Luachra was looking for
ambassadors for the new millenium, she couldn't have found a better trio to spread the word."
- Siobhán Long, Hot Press.
Sliabh Notes, the traditional band
from the Sliabh Luachra area in the south west of Ireland, make a welcome return visit to
Dallas to perform at this year's North Texas Irish Festival. This follows on their very
successful appearances there two years ago. Since then, they have played at many venues
throughout Ireland, and have also performed at a number of the major festivals, including
Milwaukee Irish Fest on two successive years, Copenhagen Irish Festival in Denmark, Torino
Irish Festival in Italy, Camden Festival in London, and at various festivals in Ireland. At
each of these events, Sliabh Notes and their music, which has been described as 'having a
distinctive regional flavor but with international appeal', were given a very warm and
enthusiastic reception.
In the November 2000 issue of Irish
Music Magazine, their performances at Milwaukee Irish Fest were reviewed by Betsy Ener,
Musical Director of the North Texas Irish Festival, and she had this to say;- "Sliabh Notes
outstandingly represents Ireland's Sliabh Luachra region and they also get my award for one
of the best Irish band names. I can only hope they'll be touring Stateside more often and
very soon. I'm a fan but who wouldn't be when the music is this good?"
At the heart of the Sliabh Notes
sound is the playing of Dónal Murphy on accordion, and Matt Cranitch on fiddle,
who in the words of Paul Dromey, Folk Columnist of the Evening Echo, "have proved themselves
to be one of the finest and most electrifying Sliabh Luachra-style box and fiddle duos you could wish to hear." Added to this is the guitar-playing of
Tommy O'Sullivan, as well as his very personalized singing style. The result is a
dynamic mix of exciting traditional music that is vibrant, powerful and compelling. Nuala
O'Connor has said in the Irish Times; "It is difficult not to be carried away by this music.
Sliabh Luachra is well-known for its
unique style of Irish traditional music, particularly its distinctive repertoire of slides
and polkas. The area has long been an inspiration and source of influence for Dónal, Matt
and Tommy. Their CD, Gleanntán, has received much critical acclaim.
"Gleanntán is destined to become one of the classics of the genre." - Pat Ahern, The
Irish Examiner. Currently Sliabh Notes are completing work on their new CD, which will have
its US release at the North Texas Irish Festival.
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