Still Fiddlin' by Gordon McLeod

"Still Fiddlin' "is a new album by acclaimed fiddler Gordon McLeod. The Album is a collection of 13 original tracks, most of which are traditional Irish fiddling at its finest: lively, lyrical and intricate. But there is a fair helping of Bluegrass, and Django jazz flavored tunes as well.

Matt Cranitch, eminent Irish fiddler and educator, has this to say about "Still Fiddlin' ":
"I am delighted to welcome this new collection of recorded music from Gordon McLeod. This eclectic collection of tunes displays his wide range of influences, from Pádraig O’Keeffe to Stephane Grappelli. Among his own compositions is a beautiful waltz, dedicated to the lovely Christy, his very own Texas star. Personally I am delighted to have been invited to partake in this celebration of Gordon’s music, which shows so eloquently that he is “still fiddlin’” as well as ever."--Matt Cranitch

Gordon has invited many distinguished guest artists to play on this album including Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Dónal Murphy (accordion), Tommy O' Sullivan (guitar) , all from the distinguished Irish band Sliabh Notes. Milo Deering, who has toured and recorded with many illustrious artists including The Eagles, Don Henley, Jack Ingram, LeeAnn Rimes, also adds his wonderful touch. Christy McLeod, of the well known Celtic band Beyond The Pale and McLeod Nine, adds her powerful rhythmic guitar playing. Cara Wildman adds her perfect touch on the bodhran (percussion) and Jonathan Milton adds his marvelous flute playing.

Highlights of the album include Gordon's original beautiful waltz, "Christy's Waltz" , two tracks with the amazing Irish band Sliabh Notes,
Not to be missed is Gordon and Milo Deering's inventive arrangement and composition "Blackberry Bumblebee Baklava" which melds bluegrass, Eastern European, classical nd Django jazz styles on a medley of standard old-timey tunes .

About "Still Fiddlin’ ", Dónal says:

Hey Gordon, really delighted with this arrival in the post today, just gave it a spin, sounds really great, delighted with end result, very Shliabh-like, honourary band member😜, congratulations on the new album, great playing, great tunes by a great man! Very well done🎉👏🎻😎


"Still Fiddlin'" is a follow up to Gordon's acclaimed solo fiddle album , "Just Fiddlin' " released in 2015.

Liner Notes:
1. Twelve of Sheila’s Lads—Three reels that I used to really enjoy playing with my friend Larry Mallette at the Wednesday night session in McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston. The tunes are The 12 Pins, Sheila Coyle’s and The Lads of Laois. 2. Didn’t She Dance and Dance-I am delighted to be joined on this set of Sliabh Luachra slides by my good friends Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Dónal Murphy (accordion) and Tommy O’Sullivan (guitar) of the wonderful Irish band Sliabh Notes. These gentlemen are all fantastic musicians and masters of the Sliabh Luachra style of Irish music. They have been good friends of Christy and mine for over twenty years. I am so thankful to have had the chance to record this set and another set of polkas with them. The tunes are Pádraig O’Keeffe’s, Didn’t She Dance and Dance, and Mick Duggan’s. 3. The Boys of Ballysodare—This is my jazzy non-traditional version of this well-known slip jig. 4. The Colliers—I learned these three reels on my first trip to Ireland from Siobhan Peoples and Paul Bradley. Special thanks to the very talented Cara Wildman (bodhran) and Jonathan Milton (flute) for adding their great playing to these tunes. The tunes are The Colliers, The Floggin’ and Toss the Feathers. 5. Magic Slipper—More fabulous playing from Matt, Dónal and Tommy of the band Sliabh Notes on this set of polkas. The tunes are Magic Slipper, Up and Away and The Upperchurch #2, which I have been fortunate enough to have played many times with Dónal , Matt and Tommy in sessions in Ireland. 6. Blackberry Bumblebee Baklava—I am joined on this tune by my extremely talented friend Milo Deering on cello. Milo and I play together as a classical (sort of) duo we like to call The Beethoven Brothers. Milo (who plays a million instruments so well for people like The Eagles) likes to play the old-time tune Blackberry Blossom on the cello. He’s from Arkansas and I like Django jazz music so we mashed them all together and this is the result. The tunes are Blackberry Blossom and The Arkansas Traveler (I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee--). Thanks, Milo, for playing on this track! 7. Christy’s Waltz—I wrote this waltz for my absolutely wonderful and beautiful wife, Christy. She also happens to be an extremely talented guitarist and she joins me on guitar a little later on in the album. 8. Helvic Head—a powerhouse of a jig in five parts. Thanks again to the amazing Cara Wildman and Jonathan Milton for their wonderful playing on this track. 9. Lord Gordon’s-This was one of the tunes that inspired me to learn to play in the traditional Irish style. I first heard this tune played by the great Kevin Burke on fiddle and Gerry O’Beirne on the twelve-string guitar. I make an attempt to capture a small part of the beauty of that sound on this track. I even changed all twelve strings on my 12-string! 10. Lakeshore Slides—A set of slides just because slides are marvelous. I composed the last tune and named it for the street that I live on. The tunes are The Cúil Aodha, Mike Murphy’s and The Lakeshore. 11. The Brown Coffin—My take on a great old Irish hornpipe with some Grappelli influenced improv. 12. Soldiers Joy- My gorgeous wife Christy adds her guitar prowess to this set of Sliabh Luachra style polkas and really makes them rock. The Tunes are The Ballyvourney, The Knocknaboul #2 and Soldiers Joy. The last is one of the first fiddle tunes I learned. I learned it as an old-timey style tune but it works great as an Irish polka! 13. The Hag’s purse—This jig is played slowly and carefully here in an attempt at nuance (or trying to get close to the “nyah”). Cara Wildman once again adds her subtle and perfect touch on the bodhran.

Gordon McLeod goes for the real heart of the tune every time he plays. He draws from eclectic influences including traditional Irish, Django/ Grappelli jazz, Bluegrass, and Americana. While his clear, tuned and powerful sound stands out among fiddle players, Gordon strives to convey more than mere energy, but to get to the essence of the tune and to invoke a range of emotions with his playing.

gordonmcleod.com