Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul exude passion throughout this project. Every note drips with the restlessness of exploration and fusion that creates new sounds. As a world class fiddler, Eileen gained some of her fame as the lead fiddler in Riverdance. With this project, Eileen has given herself permission to explore beyond the Celtic traditions that won her many competitive medals for her virtuoso fiddling. Joining Eileen on this journey is Tommy McDonnell, of Blues Brother's fame, adding a touch of bluesy soul to the project. Tommy is as passionate vocally as Eileen is on Fiddle. Complimenting Eileen and Tommy is a host of other accomplished musicians. (listed below)

On this CD project, Eileen and Tommy take us on a world tour fusing with the rhythms of African, Latin and American roots music interwoven like gold strands through a lacy fabric of Celtic traditions – subtle but beautifully enriching the sound. The mix on this project is quite well done with none of the instruments stepping on the others but rather blended well to create a sweet wall of sound.

The project contains 4 traditional tunes and 5 Iver's collaborations, and two covers. It starts with Darling Corey – a traditional Appalachian tune that is alive with rhythm. Throughout this piece, you can feel the Celtic fiddle journey. An upbeat alive jig intertwined with the afro percussion beat make for an interesting little ditty on Afro-Jig. Reconciliation is probably the most moving tune on the project using the Omagh Community Youth Choir as background vocals to Tommy McDonnel's strong vocals. The tune calls for peace in Northern Ireland. The tune is sweetly carried by Eileen's fiddle and supported by Celtic accordion, whistle, and percussion on the traditional Paddy Zululand to which Eileen quips "I think he had a great time". Honoring the sounds of the Bronx where Ivers grew up is Mundo Pequeno/Small World which has a Spanish flavor laced with Celtic fiddle and BX Style featuring the beats of rap percussion and captioned with "a drive through the hometown". In honor of Iver's husband's uncle, Ivers melds a traditional Finish Polka in Craic with Jack – craic meaning fun. Dance All Night takes you on a dance festival to dance the music of the world. The one traditional Irish air, Parting of Friends is a beautiful mournful dirge lead by Eileen's expert fiddle. Each piece in this project offers a new sweet and passionate journey. Won't you take the trip?

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Project Title:		Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul
Artist:		Eileen Ivers
Released:		2003 Musical Bridge, Inc.
Produced by:		Eileen Ivers, Brian Keane, Ben Wittman
Recorded:		Brian Keane at Little Big Feet Recording, studio assisted by Jeff Frez-Albrecht and Keith Chirgwin (Tracks 2,4,6,7,8); Ben Whitmann at Knoop Music and 7th Avenue Productions, assisted by Manfred Knoop and Iain Fraser (Tracks 1,3,5,9); John Anthony at Maja Audio Group (Tracks 10,11)
Mixed:		Kevin Killen at Shelter Island Sound, NYC, assisted by David Winslow
Mastered:		Emily Lazar at the Lodge, NYC, assisted by Sarah Register
Record Label:		Koch Records

Song List/Credits

Darlin' Corey		(trad. arr. Ivers, Witman, Doyle)
Afro-Jig		(Ivers-BMI, Keone-ASCAP)
Reconciliation		(Ron Kavana-Proper Music, arr. Ivers, Riely)
Paddy in Zululand		(Lord McDonalds, Dancers Delight; trad. arr. Ivers, Kumalo)
Go Lassie Go		(trad. arr. Ivers, Riley, McDonnell)
Mundo Pequeno / Small World		(Ivers – BMI; Keane – ASCAP; Rivera - BMI)
Craic with Jack		(Furey's Finnish Polka trad. arr. Ivers; Lyrics, Ivers – BMI, Madden - BMI)
Bx Style		(Ivers – BMI; Keane - ASCAP)
Dance All Night		(Ivers – BMI, McDonnell – BMI, Doyle - ASCAP)
Parting of Friends Poem		(Mulligan-BMI)
Parting of Friends-Air		(trad. arr. Ivers, Aharon)
Parting of Friends Poem		(Mulligan-BMI)
Zululand (reprise)		(Lord McDonalds, Dancers Delight; trad. arr. Ivers, Kumalo)

Band Members
Eileen Ivers , Tommy Mcdonnell

Guest Artists
Donal Clancy, John Doyle, James Riley, Bakithi Kumalo, Emanuel "Chulo" Gatewood, Leo Traversa, Jerry O'Sullivan, Emedin Rivera, Tarik Winston, Ben Wittman, Brian Keane, Joanie Madden, Tony Cedras, Robbie Harris, Andy Ezrin, Brian Mitchell, Mark Schulman, Michael Aharon, Barney Mulligan, Lucy Kaplansky, Everett Bradley, Omagh Community Youth Choir, Daryl Simpson

You might also like other Eileen Ivers selections:
Eileen Ivers Collection

Christmas is coming – Eileen Ivers has a wonderful Christmas CD