In an era when brilliant young musicians are emerging every year from various corers of the globe comes a stunning debut recording titled Macalla na hÓige featuring Hugh and Colm Healy from Corofin in Co. Clare.

Clare has long been renowned for its contribution to Irish music. George Petrie the world famous music collector of the 1800’s (1789-1866) remarked that Clare possessed distinctive qualities I its music not shared with any other county in Ireland. The playing on this album is yet more proof that the music of County Clare is alive and well in the 21st century and reminds the listener that the music of the people is not only something of the past but continues to thrive in the present. It is as much a part of our lives today as it ever was.

I first met Hugh and Colm along with their brother Eric back in the early 90’s. I was instantly impressed by them not only for their playing, which was already showing signs of greatness, but more so for the respect, passion and hunger that they expressed be it through the music they played or the conversations we had. Over the years since then, I have shared many a tune with them and have fond memories of their cheerful outgoing nature and youthful energy which comes out in the vitality of their music. They blend the hearty and flowing style of County Clare with the technical brilliance we have come to expect from this new generation of players, and are joined by a supporting cast of some of the most talented and respected musicians on the scene today; including their brother Eric on fiddle, Fergal Scahill on guitar and bodhran, Paul O’Driscoll on double bass, Noel O’Donoghue on concert flute, Karol Lynch on banjo and Michael O’Connell on uillean pipes.

Macalla na hÓige is a wonderful collection of tunes from Clare and beyond. It has kept me company in the car over the last couple of weeks as I have traveled around Ireland. From Clare to Dublin and back three times, from Offaly to Belfast, Belfast to Clare and Clare to Sligo. On the return trip from Sligo to Clare I was enjoying the music so much that I drove around the block twice at 5 o’clock in the morning just to hear the last few tunes on the disc.

I hope you get as much mileage out of it as I have

Kevin Crawford
January 2004