I was only going for a while to take some photos for the website but once I heard the sound of real Celtic music wind it’s way through the club I had to stay until the last notes were sounded. First up was Lynley Caldwell, her perfectly pitched voice harmonising with the delcate sound she stroked from the strings. Next Tony Gallagher played for us on his pipes, entertaining us with his superb skill and patter. Then the masters of the night appeared. They seem perfectly suited to their choice of instruments.
Brendan’s large hands gently and expertly create the most varied sounds from the accordion and Caoimhin’s smaller hands fit perfectly on the neck of his violin as he gave us his first spine tingling note. Brendan’s music was like warm honey sliding down my spine filling me with good feelings and Caoimhin’s music was like a breeze blowing around me raising the hair on the back of my neck. The music rose and fell like the sea, getting wilder and faster at times and mellowing off into a breathy whisper from the accordion and a plaintive cry from the violin.
Brendan’s voice was deep and resonant as he sang in his native tongue of Gaelic. Caoimhin did not sing but used his voice to entertain us between songs with charm and wit. Feet were tapping all over the club from Brendan’s feet marking the pulse of the music, to many of the belonging to the audience., whom I felt if they had let go of all restraint would have been on the dancefloor. As we know, us North Otago Folk do not like to appear as if we are having too much fun. These two musicians play as if they have been playing together forever, their music combining with many ebbs and flos to make a night magical enough even for the Faery Court.
