Rollercoaster Records label is delighted to release ‘Bridget Cruise’, the second glimpse into the upcoming full-length album ‘Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar’ by Irish session-musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist David Murphy.
In this expressive take on the well-known 17th century traditional Irish harp tune ‘Bridget Cruise’, the pedal steel guitar weaves its way through the spell-binding melody, joined by an ensemble of cello, violin, harp, double bass, rhythmic piano and electronics to conjure up the vivid sentiments of this age-old composition from the Gaelic tradition.
Tulough O’Carolan composed four airs in honour of his childhood friend and first love, Bridget Cruise. Throughout his life, O’Carolan recalled Bridget with great affection. The story has it that years later when O’Carolan was blind, the pair met again by chance at Lough Derg – when Bridget reached out to help the blind man, Carolan instantly recognised her by the touch of her hand.
Irish fiddle maestro Steve Wickham (The Waterboys / U2/ Sinead O’Connor) joins Murphy in the poignant telling of a connection between friends, spinning and intertwining violin tones in unison with the glissando, swells and harmonics of the pedal steel guitar. Laura McFadden’s moving cello and Graham Heaney’s grounding double bass propel the tune forward on a bed of rhythmic felt-piano and electronics, while Aisling Urwin’s elegant and graceful harp alludes to love in an ancient Ireland, from whence this composition first came.
David explains the inspiration for the new arrangement of this traditional tune:
“Stories of friendship and unrequited longing are eternal themes. O’Carolan’s ability to inspire beyond the 400-year divide is a testament to the strength and beauty of his compositions. In this arrangement – one of two O’Carolan tunes on the album – I wanted to present it in a contemporary setting, demonstrating how a 17th century piece still has a power to flow ever-forward, to evolve and transform into something new, yet can convey the same sentiments of melancholy and lost love that the writer had intended, way back through the mists of time”.
The release is accompanied by a video by Dublin-based film-maker and artist Gavin O’Brien whose visuals poignantly reflect the passage of time:
David Murphy – Bridget Cruise (Official Video)
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David Murphy’s all-instrumental debut album recasts ancient Irish harp tunes and historic airs by O’Carolan, O’Riada et al into the 21st century, voiced by the mysterious, emotive and swelling sound of the pedal steel guitar. Supported by an all-star cast of musicians from across contemporary, modern-classical and folk worlds, the pedal steel ably takes its place within an ensemble featuring cello, violin, piano, harp, uilleann pipes, and lush electronic textures and synths. Across 40 minutes, the album conjures a palette of sparse, dreamlike, atmospheric soundscapes and stirring, cinematic takes of these culturally significant compositions and melodies from Ireland’s great harpers, composers and song collectors.
The album promises to be a must-listen for fans of pedal steel guitar, atmospheric soundtracks, traditional Irish music, contemporary experimental, ambient and modern-classical music. It features a diverse cast of supporting musicians including Peter Broderick (Strings), Steve Wickham (Fiddle), Laura McFadden (Cello), Aisling Urwin and Alannah Thornburgh (Harp), Rory McCarthy (Piano), Mark McCausland (Guitar), Anthony Ruby (Uilleann Pipes), Cory Gray (Trumpet) amongst others.
Set for release on 19th April 2024 on Rollercoaster Records presented visually with stunning artwork by Irish artist Craig Carry, it will be available on 180-gram Vinyl, CD and Digital from all major platforms and retailers. Pre-order the album on LP / CD / Digital via Bandcamp: https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com/album/cuimhne-ghlinn-explorations-in-irish-music-for-pedal-steel-guitar
LIVE SHOWS:
David will celebrate the launch of the album at
- 18th April: Coughlan’s, Cork – SOLD OUT
- 19th April: Rollercoaster Records (Instore), Kilkenny
- 20th April: Plugd Records (Instore), Cork
- 16th June: Doolin Folk Festival
- 09th August: Kilkenny Arts Festival
FOR MORE INFORMATION
