Island To Island

Irish emigration to Newfoundland began as early as the 17th century, long before the Famine sent thousands more across the ocean in search of a better life; so it’s not surprising that links between the two islands have remained strong. This fascinating album sits down fiddler Séamus Creagh, accordionist Aidan Coffey and guitarist Mick Daly alongside five of their Newfoundland counterparts (Graham Wells, Billy Sutton, Jason Whelan, Colin Carrigan and Paddy Mackey), to collaborate on tunes from both traditions. The styles blend so easily that it’s often hard to distinguish between the two; a fiddle and accordion duet from Carrigan and Wells on a brace of John Doherty tunes is particularly fine.