The Gloaming

We expect Irish music to be danceable or of roaring rich ballads and sagas and sweet laments. This album is different, far different. It moves slowly and quietly as a mindful stroll in the twilight (gloaming), which happens to be the group's and self-titled album's name. For instance, there is a piano, played by Thomas Bartlett [Doveman], which in the first striking track is muted. The second track's march, taken gently, features violinist Martin Hayes. The sensitive singer is Iarla Ó Lionaird, who is known from the Afro Celt Sound System. Dennis Cahill, who hails from Chicago, is the guitarist, and the fifth musician is Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh, another fiddler but who also plays the 5-string viola and the Norwegian hardanger fiddle. The music has the Irish lilt but is sung softly as a lullaby. The calming mood is consistent and the arrangements are measured. This is a difficult musical art, but the musicians took care in performance and production. The debut album certainly offers a new perspective on Irish music and a novel direction. Instead of a bright cheer, we are left touched and contented.

This CD contains some of the most innovative performances of Irish traditional music and song that I've heard in decades. You'll hear original compositions and clever arrangements of familiar tunes. Martin Hayes is a genius. It is he who effortlessly facilitates the magic that happens in a group that is largely Irish-born, but also boasts guitarist Denis Cahill (Chicago) and keyboard player Thomas Bartlett (Vermont). Iara Ó Lionard, who sings in Irish/Gaelic, is steeped in the sean nós/ old style, yet he surprises too, by offering us a new rendition of a popular school song, 'Samhradh/Samhradh.' Caoimhín Ó' Rahaillaigh's fiddle playing is sophisticated and superb. It's all about the ancient and the new. Haunting. Stunning. Sublime.

I rate albums based on one criterion alone: how often I listen to it without getting sick of it. Going off of this, The Gloaming is definitely one of my top five. I love folk music, and this group manages to put their own twist on these Irish folk classics. It's a well-needed injection of modern music into a genre that, while always relevant, doesn't always seem fresh.

Interesting, innovative arrangements redolent of Peter Gabriel, with plenty of pure traditional Irish fiddle combined with moody tracks and innovative arrangements.

An astonishing set of performances especially the haunting Samhradh Samhradh (Summer Summer). You definitely need to be in the mood for this album as the performances slide into each other sounding very similar. The musicianship is impeccable, not a surprise given the CVs of the artists.

A peerless blend of Irish Gaelic traditional music with sensitive musical skill. The effect is truly spiritual; evoking emotions deeply buried in the psyche of the listener and brought out by the intense connection the performers have with both the lyrics and the musical dimensions of this work. The performers are individually very gifted, but combined they are sublimely ethereal. More of this wonderful musical expression, my soul cries for more!

While I appreciate this music, you would want to be a fan of the style to want to buy this. Perhaps moody, perhaps contemplative, not particularly lyrical, not very uplifting either.

This is Irish music at its best and most gripping. Nothing frenetic here; just five genius musicians rooted so deeply in the tradition that they are unafraid of innovation, meandering and simple beauty. Iarla's voice is as stunning as ever. As I anxiously await Spring in the frozen and snow-laden northeast USA, listening to Samradh Samradh is a joy and a hope!

The Gloaming is an Irish musical project consisting of championship fiddler Martin Hayes, his long-time collaborator-guitarist Dennis Cahill, sean-nós (ancient Gaelic style) influenced singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, hardanger (Norwegian drone) fiddle player Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, and pianist Thomas Bartlett. They take a modern, minimalist, almost deconstructive approach to their music, as though this once-rural-now-urban music has become at last the stuff of Scandanavian cinema. That sounds more esoteric than it is, the effect is that of a modern string quartet, deeply intellectual yet sensual, soulful, and very, very deep. Music for wondering to.

This is the most wonderful music! It makes me sad (and angry) that the commercial side of the music industry promotes all the usual suspects, yet such gems as this are neglected and passed over by too many. I don't have the words at my command to do justice to this truly great album. This is just beautiful music, beautifully played, performed, produced and recorded. Just buy it and listen to it. Give it your full attention. You will not regret it.

Stunning is the only word you could use to describe it.Some albums take you away to another place and this is one of them.Many of the songs are tinged with sadness but really beautiful to listen to.The album finished and I felt like I had come out of a trance.I dont really write reviews but felt It was right to comment if it encouraged more to buy and listen to this album.If you like celtic music you will love it but it transcends its genre.So glad I bought it.

I am besotted with this album. It's so good to hear something new and progressive but with its roots in the familiar and traditional. Thank-you The Gloaming.

Great album

For me, The Gloaming stand out as the most exciting thing to happen to traditional Irish music in years.Stretching the form while being true to the roots.At times dreamy and others exhilarating.Highly recommend setting them live if you get a chance!

Lovely, just lovely. Old meets new and something magical happens.

Celtic Mystique, once you play it you can;t stop.

Simply beautiful. Soft relaxing and gentle. The Irish heritage comes across in a stunning and subtle way.a joy to listen to.

I read a review in a free Irish newspaper picked up at Manchester airport. On the strength of that i bought the album, and on the strength of that I bought their other one.

Possibly an acquired taste, but I loved it. Their talent in undeniable.

I love this

Amazing music, a must listen for anyone into folk and traditional Irish music.

Heard this group on radio 2 and thought I wanted to hear more. I'm glad I did, the album is fab!

Every single track is wonderful. looking forward to their new release