Dublin fiddle player Aidan Connolly has released a new solo album titled ‘The Portland Bow’ on Clare’s Raelach Records. Some of you may recall that Aidan’s debut album ‘Be Off’ was well received on Folk Radio UK, featuring a sumptuous sixteen tracks and a hefty lineup of guest musicians.
This new album finds Aidan exploring a broader range of music including tunes that Aidan learned while living in Spain. We also have the lockdown to thank for the extra time that allowed him to “explore new repertoire and fiddle technique, and to reach out to musical friends in Ireland and abroad through online video calls.”
According to the label, the album features traditional melodies from Scotland and Cape Breton also make an appearance, and fans of Aidan’s music will be pleased to hear that the Sliabh Luachra tradition, with which he is closely associated, remains a prominent focus throughout the album.
For anyone wondering, the title of the album refers to a fiddle bow that was generously gifted to Aidan in Portland, Maine, on the east coast of the United States.
The album is available digitally and as a Limited Edition Compact Disc designed by Maurice Gunning with sleeve notes by Aidan Connolly. Order here: https://raelachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-portland-bow