Peter McAlinden & Pete Quinn - Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part

One of London's musical treasures, Peter has devoted his life to teaching, and got himself lost in academia for the past 30 years. But last year the fates conspired to return him to his first love Irish traditional music!The death of his mother and his mentor co-incided with an invite from internationally known accordionist, Karen Tweed to perform at last year's Camden Town festival, rekindle Peter's dormant musical muse. The concert was a great success and spurred on by entreaties from fellow musicians Peter's thoughts turned to recording a CD. Aided by Pete Quinn, on piano and keyboards on loan from The London Lasses, they have produced this masterpiece. In the hands of a master musician like Peter the humble tin whistle becomes a magical instrument which can deliver all the emotions within any tune. It should also be noted Peter is also a brilliant pianist and flute player. We feel sure anybody who hear Peter's music will be bowled over his mastery of his chosen instrument and the musicality of his music. Hopefully with this CD, many more people will come to know and love the music of Peter McAlinden. have transcended the sum of their parts to become an entity with a life force of its own. Of course, the finest folk group can only exist with the finest ingredients. And in Rig the Jig, Irish and American folk songs find the captivating, story-telling voice of Michael Banahan, the lilting vocals and the passionate fiddle playing of Aoife Kelly and the beautifully ornate performances of Patricia Lane. There's a sprinkling of magic in Noel Carberry's ethereal whistle playing and in the haunting sounds of the Uilleann pipes. The sweet and jaunty melodies from Brendan Emmet's mandolin complement the pulsating rhythm of Anthony McDermott's guitars. All of that energy, coupled with Ian Kinsella's mastery of the banjo and guitar, the fluid, exciting style of Paul Gurney on bass guitar and keyboards, makes Rig the Jig a force to be reckoned with on the international music scene.Make no mistake; this band has earned its many accolades. Over the years its members have turned their attentions to a carefully chosen blend of rousing ballads, respecting tradition while embracing modernity in song and melody.It is truly a melting pot, bubbling over with eight unique expressions of talent.Through their music, Irish culture meets the dust roads and small town history of America's folk song tradition. And it's all harnessed together with Rig the Jig's inimitable, timeless style. It s the reason they have retained their earliest fans while welcoming thousands of entranced followers during their many sell-out tours of Ireland, Europe, the USA and Asia.If Irish folk music had a dictionary, this is one band that would certainly have entered the lexicon as a byword for flawless performances glittering with raw energy.