David Munnelly is a superb Irish accordion player, who has played in diverse Irish music projects, most noteably in Niamh Parsons’ Band. This is his first solo album, and it makes you hope that it is the first of many!
Even though the music is always centred on David’s accordion playing, he has gathered for the CD a wonderful bunch of talented musicians, including ex-Danú fiddler Daire Bracken, Richie Buckley on soprano sax, Galvin Ralston on guitars; plus percussion, bass, hammond organ. The tunes played are a mixture of David’s compositions, traditionals and contemporary tunes. The album shows the full width of David’s skills – playing fast and typical traditionals, beautiful slow tunes, and slightly more unusual very catchy tunes with more of a musette sound, such as “Lively Leah”. Overall happy music, played with passion and skill; music that goes beyond the typically played Irish traditional jigs and reels. The next album from David should be due soon, and I am looking forward to it.

Michael Moll