(Blackbox Music BBM 007)

www.alankellygang.com

Stalwarts of contemporary trad, the Alan Kelly Gang are a creative force all about tasteful arrangements, groove, energy and passion. Their new album The Last Bell, which has been over a year in the making, is a pristine collection of original and traditional music. Recorded over two live sessions in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin with an outstanding cast of cohorts: Alan Kelly (piano accordion), Steph Geremia (flute /vocal /sax & whistle), Alasdair White (fiddle), Tony Byrne (guitar), Manus Lunny (bouzouki), Ewan Vernal (bass), Martin O’Neill (bodhran) and Jim Higgins (percussion), the album captures a certain magic that can only happen when such outstanding musicians are locked away, working and playing together in musical solidarity. “I wanted to capture that raw energy and spur of the moment musicality. I also wanted to recreate the vibe and excitement of the sessions when I recorded Mosaic (2000) by playing live with drums, percussion and bass.”– Alan Kelly.

On this outing, there is a great sense of maturity and joie de vivre as the three melody players: Alan, Steph and Alasdair weave and playfully bounce off one another, while the engine room of guitar, percussion, and bass underpin a solid groove. Also welcoming Capercaille’s Manus Lunny on board and into the Producer’s chair, he has brought along his distinctive panache to the 12 tracks – 8 instrumentals and 4 songs.

Catch the Alan Kelly Gang joined by special guests Eddi Reader & John Douglas for their nationwide tour: September 27th – October 5th.