Dearbhaill Standun


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The Night Before...A Celtic Christmas - Dordán : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic
DORDAN: THE NIGHT BEFORE…A CELTIC CHRISTMAS - Narada (ND610063)

This one arrived just in time to be considered for review this month and it's a good thing because it could very well be the best Christmas album released this year. From County Galway, Dordan is comprised of Mary Bergin on whistles and flute, Dearbhaill Standun on fiddle, Kathleen Loughnane on harp and vocalist/guitarist Martina Goggin. THE NIGHT BEFORE possesses a reverent tone and rightly so, as many of its songs like "Draiocht na bOiche," "Oiche Nollag" and "Don Oiche Ud i mBeithil" center around the events of Christmas eve. Most of this album's selections are of Irish origin either via tradition or Dordan originals. Clever arrangements and unusual twists are applied to the few standards included here like the Gaelic intro to "Silent Night," "Polly in the Holly's" clever juxtaposition of "Deuxieme Sonate" with "Holly in the Ivy" and "Auld Lang Syne" performed as a jig. This is a can't miss for lovers of Irish and Christmas music alike.

Gaelic Roots 98 Music Instructors
Dearbhaill Standún . . . . Fiddle
Dearbhaill Standun was surrounded by music and song within her family and within her native Irish-speaking village of Spiddal in the Connemara Gaeltacht.  This background is reflected in her deep insight into the great songs and airs of the sean-nos singing style evident in her playing.  She has a wide musical background ranging from classical violin to traditional fiddle playing.  One of the richest sources of influence for Dearbhaill was her friend, the master piper and folklorist, Seamus Ennis, who handed down to her a vast store of airs.  Dearbhaill has a deep interest in ensuring that traditions are upheld and handed on.  She has taught the fiddle for a number of years to the young people in the Spiddal area.

See Musicians: Mary Bergin  Kathleen Loughnane

See Groups: Dordan

See Albums: Irish Traditional And Baroque