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Our Review

Eileen Ivers is a fiddlin' sensation, but An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas goes way beyond the fiddle. Although Ivers' command of fiddles, banjo, mandolin, and more is undeniably fine, this album presents an excellent ensemble of talented musicians and vocalists. The offering embraces much more than just traditional Irish music, too, and the result is hand-clappingly good.

In some respects, this is an Irish holiday party, bursting with acoustics and gutsy vocals. When you listen closely, however, you discover that this isn't your daddy's Irish music; no sirree, this fusion music has been updated with exciting folk/new age/jazz/pop/rock fluorishes that make each track shimmer. The mélange will move you. In places, the mood is high energy and electric; in others, the contemplative introspection is breathtakingly beautiful. The opening Hark the Herald Angels Sing is a rousing welcome to the party, and the sweetly subdued Wexford Carol convinces you to spend the evening. Rich instrumentals such as Reels: Christmas Eve/Oiche Nollag/High Road to Linton and Jigs: Apples in Winter/Frost Is All Over/A Merry Christmas truly showcase Ivers' talents, exploding with a vigor that pumps a jazz-infused edge into the traditional Irish reels. The wonderful rendition of Do You Hear What I Hear overlaps calypso island and Irish sensibilities, repeating the "Do You Hear What I Hear" refrain again and again. Susan McKeown's ethereal vocal on Don Oiche Ud i mBeithill is riveting. The excellent closing O Holy Night is an achingly amazing solo violin rendition by the incredible Ivers (goose bumps territory).

This just in: you definitely do NOT have to be Irish to embrace Eileen Ivers' An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas. You must, however, have a solid appreciation of great holiday music. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

Eileen Ivers: fiddles, octave violin, banjo, mandolin
James Riley: guitar, background vocals
Tommy McDonnell: vocals, percussion
Isaac Alderson: flute uilleann pipes, background vocals
Leo Traversa: upright and electric bass
Greg Anderson: cuatro, bouzouki (1,6,7,9)
Ben Wittman: keyboards, additional percussion
Adam Posluszny: vocals (1,2)
Susan McKeown: vocals (7)
Melissa Pinglora, Amanda Sweatlock, Britney Watson: vocals (1)
Leo Huppert: upright bass (2)
Vaneese Thomas, Angela Clemmons, Diane Gunnip, and Dennis Collins: vocals (5)

Produced by Eileen Ivers
Executive Producer: Brian Mulligan

From the Website:

She's been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The New York Times. "She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing" says The Irish Times. Ivers' recording credits include over 80 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores. Her latest CD, entitled 'Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul' continues to display why Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres.

The daughter of Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers grew up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. Rooted in Irish traditional music since the age of eight, Eileen proceeded to win nine All-Ireland fiddle championships, a tenth on tenor banjo and over 30 championship medals, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious competitions.

Being an Irish-American, the intrigue of learning more about the multicultural sounds of her childhood took hold. After graduating magna cum laude in Mathematics from Iona College and while continuing her post-graduate work in Mathematics, Eileen fully immersed herself in the different genres of music which she experienced growing up in New York. Perhaps it was the mathematical mind coupled with her passion for seeking parallels in certain traditional music styles which contributed to what has become the signature sound featured in much of Eileen's recordings since the late 1980's.

In 1999 Eileen established a touring production to present the music which now encompasses Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul. This mix of African and Latin percussion and bass, Irish instrumentalists, and American soulful vocals headlines major performing arts centers, guest stars with numerous symphonies, performs at major festivals worldwide and has appeared on national and international television.

Eileen Ivers

An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas

Artist link

Track List