Title: Air Time
Artist: Fiodhna Gardiner
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 5060195515708
Genre: Folk
INTRODUCTION This album reflects the musical journey of Tipperary born low whistle player, Fíodhna Gardiner. Placing the slow air at the heart of traditional music, it features selected traditional Irish, Scottish and newly composed airs, collected or composed while playing whistles with the UAE's Irish Traditional Group 'Inis Oirr' across the Middle East. Influenced by her father, accordionist Bobby Gardiner, Fíodhna has researched and developed her air playing over the years, recorded on two family CDs and performed on film, radio and television in both Ireland and abroad. As an education lecturer in Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Fíodhna specializes in Education Methodology and Early Literacy, working with undergraduate and postgraduate students. Now living in Killaloe, Co. Clare with husband, Pádraig and son, Ruán, Fíodhna is involved in local music events and is a committee member of the Kincora Traditional Music Weekend, Ballina/Killaloe, established in 2012. REVIEWS From the opening phrases of 'An raibh tú ar an gCarraig', you will be enchanted by this magical recording. Here, the listener is invited to take the air, down a musical path all too rarely travelled these days. Listen for the wonderful rendition of 'Easter Snow', where Fíodhna engages in musical dialogue with her dad, the great Clare accordionist, Bobby Gardiner. Featuring collaborations with some of the finest artists in Irish music today, 'Air Time' shows Fíodhna's deep understanding and appreciation of our musical heritage, while embracing innovation and creativity, blending seamlessly the new with the old. It is a stunning collection by a most talented musician - one from whom we all need to hear more. Tar slán, Fíodhna! (Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, Traditional Singer) With an innate understanding of the slow air, this sensitive and skilled musician, Fíodhna Gardiner, invites you on a dreamlike journey into an ancient Celtic world with a hauntingly beautiful collection of Irish, Scottish and newly composed airs on her CD entitled 'Air Time'. With respect for tradition and governed by her heart, Fíodhna performs these airs with complete sincerity, supported by singer Cathy Jordan and a cast of well- known musicians. With countless other recordings featuring jigs, hornpipes and reels, this CD 'Air Time', placing the slow air at the heart of the traditional repertoire - is long overdue. (Roy Galvin, Ionad Cultúrtha) "It is indeed such a unique occurrence in the modern world of traditional music that an album consisting totally of airs comes to the fore. This most beautiful collection of airs will be forever cherished" (Fergal O Murchú, FOM Productions) 01. An Raibh tú ar an gCarraig: Traditional Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner, Gary O' Bhroinn and Seamie O' Dowd "An Raibh Tú ag an gCarraig" is a traditional air, dating back to penal times in Ireland when Catholicism was outlawed. 'The Rock' (an gCarraig) is a "Mass Rock" where Irish gathered to celebrate Mass under threat of prison or death at the hands of the enemy. In this love song, in which lovers secretly arrange to meet, the singer asks the question 'Were you at the rock?' 02. Easter Snow: with Bobby Gardiner, Traditional Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner and Seamie O' Dowd Also known as 'Sneachta na Casca', Easter Snow is a reference to the blackthorn blossom which appears in the spring time. Often associated with the South Roscommon blind piper, Jimmy Fallon, it has been played by uilleann piper Séamus Ennis (1919-1982), amongst many others. On this track, Fíodhna is joined by her father, Bobby Gardiner and accompanied by Seamie O' Dowd. This arrangement of Easter Snow was used by Destiny Films and Publishing as a sound track for the 2013 Irish film 'The Lord's Burning Rain'. 03. An Buachaillín Donn, with Cathy Jordan: Traditional Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner, Gary O' Bhroinn and Seamie O' Dowd 'An Buachaillin Donn' or the 'Little Brown-Haired Boy' is a melodic love song that Fíodhna first heard sung by Tipperary traditional singer, Nora Butler. She is accompanied here by singer, Cathy Jordan for their own arrangement of the air. 04. Grá Mo Chroí: (©Fíodhna Gardiner) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner and Seamie O' Dowd 'Grá mo chroí' was written for Fíodhna's husband, Pádraig, from County Mayo. As an exceptionally loving, kind and supportive husband, he has been a wonderful source of encouragement in the making of this CD. 05. Amhrán na Leabhar: Traditional Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner, Gary O' Bhroinn and Seamie O' Dowd 'The Song of the Books'; also known as 'Cuan Bhéal Inse' and 'Valentia Harbor' was composed by Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin (1785-1848), on the occasion of losing his priceless library of leather-bound books in a shipwreck off Kerry. 06. Hector the Hero: (© James Scott Skinner) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner and Seamie O' Dowd A Scottish air, composed by the 'Strathspey King', James Scott Skinner (1847-1928), who revitalized traditional Scottish music in the late 19th century. He wrote this air in honor of Major-General Sir Hector MacDonald (1857 - 1903), one of the Victorian British military figures. Fíodhna first heard this air played by fiddle player, Ged Palmer and co-member of 'Inis Oirr', Abu Dhabi's Traditional Irish Band. 07. The Mall of Lismore: with Cathy Jordan (© Andy Irvine) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner and Seamie O' Dowd Fíodhna learnt this air from Tipperary singer, Nora Butler's album 'My Home Lies in Tipperary' and received it's history from Co. Waterford singer, Ann Mulqueen. Set in the late 1800's along the 'Mall' or water-fronted Lismore road, this song depicts the tragedy of a young girl who falls in love with a British soldier, stationed in the garrison Co. Waterford town. Having being accused of being a traitor to her people as well as bearing his child, she was shunned and banished from her hometown to the 'foreign valley'. Fíodhna is joined by singer, Cathy Jordan for their own rendition of the air. 08. The Boy from Aughdarra: (©Fíodhna Gardiner) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner, Seamie O' Dowd and Gary O' Bhroinn Fíodhna composed this air for her father, Bobby Gardiner, originally from Aughdarra, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, who began his musical career with the Kilfenora and Malachy Sweeney Ceili bands, before moving to America in 1960. His first LP 'Memories of Clare' was released in 1962 and having returned to Ireland in the 1970s, he continued to release other recordings. Bobby's rhythm, creativity and use of the single-button triplet became his hallmark. From playing the melodeon on the back of a camel at the Great Wall of China to lilting the 'Boys of Ballysodare' for the Sultan of Oman, Bobby continues to dedicate his life to Irish traditional music as a performer and teacher. 09.An Ghorta: (©Ann Gardiner) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner, Gary O' Bhroinn and Seamie O' Dowd 'Amhrán as Gaeilge', a chum máthair Fhíodhna. Chum sí an caoineadh seo chun comóradh a dhéanamh ar thragóid an Ghorta Mhóir, a tharla in Éirinn i lár na naoú haois deag. Is amhlaidh gur theip ar na prataí agus fuair na sluaite bás de'n ocras nó d'éalaigh siad thar lear ins na 'coffin ships'. 10. The Banks of Sullane: with Cathy Jordan, (©Sean O' Riada) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner and Seamie O' Dowd Composed in 1956 by Seán O' Riada, as a pastoral elegy for orchestra, this melodic air was inspired by a river in Macroom, Co. Cork and is a song of unrequited love. Fíodhna is joined by singer, Cathy Jordan for their own rendition of this air. 11. The Dreams of Old Pa Fogerty: (© Ailean Nicholson) Arranged by Fíodhna Gardiner, Gary O' Bhroinn and Seamie O' Dowd Fíodhna first learnt this Scottish air from Rody Campbell, father of Scottish fiddle player, Marianne Campbell and co-member of Abu Dhabi's traditional Irish Band, 'Inis Oirr'. It was composed by the late Ailean Nicholson and recorded by Marianne's brother, piper and low whistle player, Rory Campbell. THANKS TO: The guest musicians - Bobby Gardiner, Gary O' Bhroinn, Cat
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