The Wavy Bow Collection

John Carty is one of Ireland’s most respected traditional fiddle and banjo players and this eloquent collection of fiddle tunes recorded with his son James (who recorded his own acclaimed solo fiddle album Hiding Daylight in Dark Corners in 2017) takes its name from the technique of Sligo fiddle master Michael Coleman, who once poetically said that he aspired to having his bow hand crisscross the fiddle strings as effortlessly as he’d seen the gentle waves shape the sandy shoreline of New York.

Recorded between Sligo, London and Roscommon with a handful of skilled guests (including uncle/brother James Carty Sr on flute), their collaboration demonstrates the sort of relaxed confidence only to be gained from years soaked in the tradition. With casual delight, they can breathe new life even into familiar pieces such as the opening ‘Toss the Feathers Set’ or ‘Jenny’s Welcome to Charlie’ (in ‘Lord Galway Meets Jenny’). But don’t be fooled by their apparent ease – this is skilled, classy stuff.