Warming Up

East Galway and East Clare-a region rich in Irish traditional music and players of legendary caliber. Three of those players--Woodford, Galway, flutist Jack Coen, Eyrecourt, Galway, button accordionist Martin Mulhaire, and Killaloe, Clare, fiddler Seamus Connolly -- join forces to celebrate the native Irish musical heritage they share on an album of impeccable taste, stunning virtuosity, and summit-scaling craic. The 16 tracks feature brillant trio playing as well as dazzling duet and inspired solo playing, beautifully backed by the peerless piano playing of Felix Dolan. Reels, jigs, slip jigs, hornpipes, and a set dance all flow effortlessly from these three Irish traditional musicians, each an acknowledged master of his instrument. Along with Felix Dolan, Jack Coen played in the New York Ceili Band, arguably the greatest ever formed in America, and in 1991 he was accorded a National Heritage Award, the highest honor bestowed on a traditional artist in the United States. Martin Mulhai