Seamie O'Dowd
Album: Wood And Iron
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.seamieodowd.net

His musical pedigree is without peer, his late father Joe recognised as one of Ireland's finest fiddlers of recent times, his mother Sheila still playing in her ninth decade, and he having soldiered with Dervish, The Unwanted, and, currently with the Máirtín O'Connor Band and New Road. Seamie O'Dowd is a modest man of immense talent across a bewildering range of instruments, who has, with this release, created a work of significance and endurance, not least the fact that it is truly a benchmark album for the Irish guitar.

Craftsmanship is at the core of everything this man does, from the technical mastery of every instrument he picks up to the sheer instinctive nature of his playing; no notes are wasted, no overkill in evidence, and he is capable-as proven here on every track-of investing each piece, each note played with relevance and emotion. I have lived with this album for three weeks now, and every listen brings new delights, from the single note picking of The Mullingar Races, the opening track, all the way through to the penultimate piece, The Emigrant's Farewell, a sprawling 12 minutes in length, and cinematic in texture and its emotional range. It truly is a delight.

Lord Inchiquin is a piece most often performed by ensembles-maybe most notably by The Chieftains. In Seamie's hands its melodic nuances are cast in new clothing, each note ringing out like the morning bells. The segue into the second tune, composed by Brian McNeill, is just gorgeous, as is the tune itself. His musical excursions have led him to many different countries across the globe, and the reading of The Spanish Cloak set, with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is masterful-two friends engaged in a musical conversation of warmth and depth. The same is true for the two sets he plays with pianist Kieran Quinn, but with the added ingredient of musical mischief thrown in for good measure. !

With Wood and Iron, Seamie has managed to create a work of depth, substance and great emotional scope. No words that I could pen could come close to describing what a fabulous album this is. A serious contender for Album of The Year, and no mistake. Stunning.

Oliver P. Sweeney