Colm O'Donnell's Farewell to Evening Dances

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:41 pm

Colm O'Donnell's Farewell to Evening Dances

I just adore Colm's flute playing and singing (the whistling isn't half bad either). Beautiful tone and great flow.

I know, I know, but I had to tell someone.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:47 pm

Second that. The Bodhran Song was a hoot.

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:13 pm

Ditto ditto.
I also love the lilted "Frieze Breeches."

Terry McGee · Post by **Terry McGee** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:41 pm

I'll endorse this too. My copy lives in the workshop - nothing better to settle down with while fitting keys. I find most other flute and dance-music albums too "urgent" - a distraction you don't need for this precision work. Colm's album is serene - even the fast tunes - probably because of the level of control he has over the instruments and the lovely rhythm. I find the mix of flute, whistle and singing keeps the palate refreshed. Essential!

Terry

spittle · Post by **spittle** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:08 pm

Indeed one of my very favorites as well - such great flow and tone! Only regret from me is the copious reverb on the disc (mentioned by others on the forum as well), which without would be more brilliant still.

Eagerly awaiting more from Colm. I've heard good things about the Border Collies who he plays with (along with his daughter as I understand it).

Cheers,
- Ryan

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:15 pm

I also like the liner notes/booklet with the nice pictures of Colm and his family and the countryside where he lives.

But I skip the Bodhran song.......

M

Tradman · Post by **Tradman** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:33 pm

Actually, I kinda like the reverb on this album. I remember the day it arrived...I stayed home that day from work and the CD arrived and I put it on to play, laid back down on the sofa to relax (since I felt a bit sick if I recall correctly) and I was amazed at the 'otherworldly' place that it took me to.

Maybe a 2nd album will be forthcoming!

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:41 pm

Actually, Farewell to Evening Dances is his second album. And now he's got a band, The Border Collies, and they've released an album too, Unleashed.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:00 am

This is one of my favorite albums. This is the third thread about it, since it came out, on this board.

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:43 am

colomon wrote:Actually, Farewell to Evening Dances is his second album. And now he's got a band, The Border Collies, and they've released an album too, Unleashed.

His first album was "The Rocks of Bawn," recorded in 1998, but that's all songs, I believe (includes a few of the same songs as on Farewell to Evening Dances).

There are also a few tracks of Colm's playing on the Mountain Road (Music from South Sligo) CD, including duets with his brother. Great stuff!

kkrell · Post by **kkrell** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:27 pm

And then there's Colm's "Heart Strings" CD - love songs.

Kevin Krell

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:44 pm

bradhurley wrote:His first album was "The Rocks of Bawn," recorded in 1998, but that's all songs, I believe.

Yeah, that's why I never bothered getting a copy.

There are also a few tracks of Colm's playing on the Mountain Road (Music from South Sligo) CD, including duets with his brother. Great stuff!

This is what I get for not reading the liner notes -- I knew he produced the album, but I had no idea he had tracks on it as well. Great album.

Father Emmet · Post by **Father Emmet** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:02 pm

In the liner notes Colm tells of how he had music lessons forced on him as a child, and did not appreciate them until later in life. (There is a thread somewhere on this board about children and lessons.)

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:20 pm

bradhurley wrote:
colomon wrote:Actually, Farewell to Evening Dances is his second album. And now he's got a band, The Border Collies, and they've released an album too, Unleashed.
His first album was "The Rocks of Bawn," recorded in 1998, but that's all songs, I believe (includes a few of the same songs as on Farewell to Evening Dances).

There are also a few tracks of Colm's playing on the Mountain Road (Music from South Sligo) CD, including duets with his brother. Great stuff!

That's where I first heard him. Another essential CD, IMO....

You know what I love most about 'Farewell?' It's so, well, unassuming. Just charming and sweet without being cloying or Disneyesque ...

Every time I listen to it, I love it more.

dwinterfield · Post by **dwinterfield** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:21 pm

One of or maybe the best cd I have. I'm drwan to emotional music and he does it well. Also a very appealing, simplephoto on the cover. I was thinking of putting it on the best ITM cd cover thread.