Gloaming 3

The recent release of The Blue Room by the Martin Hayes Quartet is not the first instrumental quartet for fiddler Hayes and his guitar partner Dennis Cahill: they are two members of The Gloaming, which, like the Quartet, also includes the deeper timbre of the hardanger d'amore, the Norwegian fiddle with sympathetic strings, here played by Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh. Instead of the bass clarinet in the Quartet, Thomas Barlett is at the piano. The Gloaming also has the voice of Iarla Ó Lionáird, who sings poetry. The Gloaming often includes traditional tunes but also their own compositions. Their arrangements bring the group into the Irish avant-garde who restructure old jigs, reels, and ballads into a fresh, contemporary sound devoid of New Age or shmalzy pop, influenced by classical chamber and free jazz but nonetheless popularly appealing. The music of The Gloaming, as twilight itself, is quieter, softer, more reflective; even rhythmic jigs and marches are rendered somewhat thoughtful and wistful. Profound and beautiful, The Gloaming 3 is grand in every way.

What can you say about a group that merges celtic, jazz, and classical music along with the sean-nós vocal stylings of no less a personage than Iarla Ó Lionáird? It truly defies description creating a mellow-but-never-boring soundscape that simply has to be experienced to be understood. To describe it as "mature" would be understating it, which their performances here absolutely are... understated.The title here is more than a bit misleading. While this is their third studio album, it's their fourth overall. Their actual third album, a live performance, is unique in that it re-works pieces from their previous two.I'd recommend heading to YouTube and checking out some of their performances. If it's to your taste then, by all means, pick up this along with their other three albums post-haste. You'll be very glad you did.

If you liked "Live at the NCH" and "2", you will love this album. Another virtuoso performance from the group. Iarla O'Lionaird and the whole gang all give standout performances. It really feels like they took the time out to build on their fabulous last live album and continue to innovate and push the boundaries of Irish trad.

These are five superb artists who have turned Irish music on its head. With each successive album their collaboration grows richer. This third one is a treasure.

This is like nothing you have heard and absolutely wonderful.

I am surprised that this album has only got half a dozen reviews here some 6 months after its release. The previous 2 studio albums attracted a lot more attention, and were something innovative and memorable, from the distinctive cover artwork to the unusual musical content within. The songs are typically sung in traditional Gaelic, and the musical arrangements tend to be slow, calm, carefully constructed and considered, all beautifully played.Perhaps the shock and awe inspired by the first 2 albums has lost some of its novelty value, but this 3rd offering is in the same vein. I tend to personally prefer the purely instrumental tracks, which show expert musicianship and great sympathetic interplay between the players, and often have a memorable tune. Some of the vocal tracks, like the opener Meachan Rudai where a poem is set to music over 7 and a half minutes tend to drag for me a bit more, not understanding the lyrics.It is also a pity that there is not a bit more information provided in say a CD booklet to accompany the disc, setting it all in context, for which I have deducted one star. The album is often fairly glacial and chilled in its pace and feel. It is all good stuff, sometimes feeling a bit eerie and mystical, and the singing sometimes oozes passion. The arrangements tend to be fairly sparse, the production is clear, and this builds on their enviable critical acclaim. A bit of a specialist niche, perhaps too intense and specialist for many casual listeners, but too good to just be used as background music, it deserves to be listened too carefully and enjoyed.The occasional more uptempo numbers like The Old Road to Garry, and Sheehan's Gigs are welcome for a change of pace and a more toe tapping jaunty tune.

70 minutes of enjoyment & relaxation with Gloaming 3 and if you have 1 & 2. If you dont have 1 and 2 dont think twice.Music and sound quallity of recording is just perfect.One of the best tecords with modern and old irish folk music.

Superb third release from The Gloaming. Possibly their best yet?

As good as always. Roll on no 4

Des vents tièdes et humides de l'océan d'été ou des landes de fougères, d'herbes hautes, jauni de crachin mordant d'un froid débutant.La tourbe s'enrichit de souvenir d'ici et de là, de vie grouillante et achevé.Assis face à l'âtre béant crachotant la noirceur rougeoyante de quelques escarbilles, je rêve d'arpèges successifs et de tisons ardent.Le crépitement étriqué du violon frappé berce ses souvenirs lointains habillés d'humus froid qu'exhale d'insondables profondeurs lointaine et présente à la fois.Une bière noire à la main, je rêve de cette vie et de celle d'après, car pour celle d'avant, ma mémoire me fait d'éprouvante absence.L'alternance de musique et de poème gaélique bascule ma raison d'étourderie en conscience apaisée.Écouter cher ami et amies, voici une belle musique a rêves.