Ceol More

Amazon.com
Compared to the fiddle, flute, and harp, the acoustic guitar is a relative newcomer to Celtic music, but the skill and musicality of Scottish guitarist Tony McManus make it sound as though the instrument's history stretches back centuries rather than mere decades. On Ceol More, McManus joins bassist Ewan Vernal for a collection of Irish, Scottish, Breton, and Québecois tunes that gently stretch the harmonic and rhythmic boundaries of the music while staying true to the shape of the ancient melodies. By subtly playing with the arrangements of familiar tunes, he recasts them in a new image. His version of "The Old Bush" takes a lively, even jolly reel, then slows the tempo down until it takes on a melancholy air. And when he steps outside the Celtic tradition on the 17th-century Hebrew hymn "Shalom Aleichem" and the Charles Mingus jazz classic "Goodbye Porkpie Hat," he reveals his musical imagination can encompass more than just jigs and reels. Tony McManus has accompanied such musicians as Kate Rusby, Alasdair Fraser, and Liz Doherty in the past, but the sheer beauty of his guitar playing on Ceol More shows he's more than ready to set out on his own. --Michael Simmons

Tracks:

Sliabh Gal Cua/Kishor's Tune
Lady Ann Montgomery's Reel/Eilish Brogan/Paddy Fahey's
The Lament For The Viscount Of Dundee/Dr. MacPhails Reel
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
The King Of The Pipers, The King Of The Pipers
Exile/Le Reve du Queteux Tremblay/Pierre's Right Arm
An Droichead Bheag/The Chandelier
Ye Banks And Braes
The Old Bush
Suite de Ridees
Shalom Aleichem

Amazon.com

Compared to the fiddle, flute, and harp, the acoustic guitar is a relative newcomer to Celtic music, but the skill and musicality of Scottish guitarist Tony McManus make it sound as though the instrument's history stretches back centuries rather than mere decades. On Ceol More, McManus joins bassist Ewan Vernal for a collection of Irish, Scottish, Breton, and Québecois tunes that gently stretch the harmonic and rhythmic boundaries of the music while staying true to the shape of the ancient melodies. By subtly playing with the arrangements of familiar tunes, he recasts them in a new image. His version of "The Old Bush" takes a lively, even jolly reel, then slows the tempo down until it takes on a melancholy air. And when he steps outside the Celtic tradition on the 17th-century Hebrew hymn "Shalom Aleichem" and the Charles Mingus jazz classic "Goodbye Porkpie Hat," he reveals his musical imagination can encompass more than just jigs and reels. Tony McManus has accompanied such musicians as Kate Rusby, Alasdair Fraser, and Liz Doherty in the past, but the sheer beauty of his guitar playing on Ceol More shows he's more than ready to set out on his own. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Virtuoso .......2005-09-25

A delight. Beautiful skill and artistry. At times, you would swear there were two or three remarkable guitarists playing at the same time, when in fact Mr. McManus is playing alone. Wow! What else can I say.

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A REASON FOR LIVING

excellent, creative playing.......2004-04-20

Tony McManus is mining a good vein of celtic music... mellow without being mushy, technical without being showy. Like John Renbourn, he has really good taste. Fans of celtic instrumental music should be very happy with this one, whether traditionalist or new-agey.

Ceol More-Tony Mcmanus.......2003-02-24

I can't say how much I have come to love Tony McManus' playing as a result of this CD. I originally bought it so I could learn his transcription of "The Old Bush" (which I did) that was featured in an article on Celtic guitar last year in Acoustic Guitar magazine. Since then I have acquired both of his other CDs as well as his first video for Celtic Guitar from Homespun Tapes. Here is an artist who is committed to the beauty of the music he loves. His technique is flawless and without pretense or too much flair. He has brought Celtic music alive for me and believes that this style was created by people who lived and worked very hard. So much of the "Celtic" music of today has been tagged with the labels "new age" or "relaxing", but as Tony points out in his video, the people who created this music led anything but "relaxing" lives. His deep respect for the culture and the music are readily apparent on this CD. He also throws in a few unexpected treats such as Charlie Mingus' "Good bye Pork Pie Hat" and even a decidedly non-Celtic tune, the Hebrew hymn, "Shalom Aleichem", both performed with the same respect for culture that Tony shows all of his music. And as a guitarist myself, I can say without a doubt, you will be hard pressed to find many who can match his technical skill. Buy it. Without exaggeration, it is one of the finest CDs I have bought in a long time.

Simply beautiful.......2002-07-27

This is just quite simply the best guitar playing you'll ever hear. John Renbourn said some time ago that Tony is the best Celtic guitarist in the world. This album shows that to be an understatement.

Amazing.......2002-07-19

Tony McManus has been known as a fine Celtic guitarist for a while now, but with this CD he takes things a step further. His talent is not simply in his playing but with his arranging. He takes traditional tunes like Sliabh Gal Cual/Kishor's Tune and The Lament for the Viscount of Dundee/Dr. Macphail and makes them complex melodies changing tempo and key with great style and fluidity. The music becomes more accessible for the uninitiated and interesting for those who are. What is just as impressive is his ability to go from Celtic to classic jazz with the Charles Mingus song "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat". Even a jazz aficionado would respect this rendition. It is all the more amazing in that it is played on a flat top guitar.

In short, if you like acoustic guitar music and even if you are not sure buy this CD. I listen to it over and over.

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