Kevin Crawford Colin Farrell & Patrick Doocey:
Music & Mischief

With guest musicians
Jason Sypher: Double Bass
Alan Murray: Bouzouki
Jonny Hulma: Banjo
Stephen Markham: Wurlitzer & Piano
Tony O'Flaherty: Piano

"Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell & Patrick Doocey have collaborated and produced a fantastic new album which brings a balance of newly composed tunes and traditional tunes with beautiful harmonies and arrangements all played with Perfection" Mike McGoldrick

Audio

Track 1: The Cuil Aodh Jig

Track 2: The Flags of Dublin

Track 3: The Black Haired Lass

Track Listing

1.  Aube Mauve / Mouse In The Mug / The Cuil Aodha / Monaghan Twig
2. Maryann’s Choice / The Girls Of Grallagh / The Brightest Star
3. Pasacorredoiras Do Condado / The Corner House / Ned Kelly’s
4. Taylor Bar, 4AM / Ceol Na Mara
5. Alasdair Sutherland’s March / Carberry’s Calico / The Flags Of Dublin
6. Opus 34 Duo In G
7. Hardiman’s Fancy / An Rogaire Dubh / Jimmy Ward’s Favourite
8. The Headspinner / The Teacake
9. The Road To Maugheraboy / The Moneymusk / The Dowry
10. The Night Heron / The Happy Shadow / The Wild Lime
11. Johnny Cope / The Scartaglen / The Black Haired Lass
12. The Road To Foxford / Wade’s Reel
13. The Pelican Marsh Reel / Fox On The Prowl / The Ballina Lasses

Catch the lads live on You Tube

Aso available from Copperplate featuring the lads
Kevin Crawford: Carrying The Tune
Kevin Crawford, Dylan Foley & Patrick Doocey: The Drunken Gaugers
Kevin Crawford & Cillian  Vallely: On Common Ground

Press Reviews

Boston Irish Reporter:  Nov 19 Reviews.
Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell and Patrick Doocey, “Music and Mischief” • One of the many reasons to appreciate Lúnasa is that even when they’re not performing or recording as a full band, they cultivate opportunities to play together in smaller combinations. Flute and whistle player Crawford has often teamed up with the group’s uilleann piper, Cillian Vallely, for instance, and here he has joined with fiddler Farrell and guitarist Doocey to make an album brimming with excellent musicianship (of course), abundant good cheer, and the same creative spirit that energizes Lúnasa in its full incarnation. And in the same vein, grounded in tradition though the trio may be, “Music and Mischief” shows the contemporary mindset in their music, not least in their repertoire.
In one set, the three begin a with an elegant, festive Galician tune, “Pasacorredoiras do Condado,” and then launch into a pair of contemporary polkas, “The Corner House” (by Aidan Coffey) and “Ned Kelly’s” (by the musician of the same name). A pair of jigs, “Taylor Bar 4 a.m.” (by fellow Lúnasan Donogh Hennessy) and Michael Goldrick’s “Ceol na Mara,” features Farrell pairing with Crawford on whistle, offering a glimpse of that distinctive layered, harmonic Lúnasa sound. The twin whistles also are at the forefront of the aptly named “Pure Irish Drops” set, beginning with Carmel Gunning’s jig “Road to Maugheraboy” – with a lovely bouzouki backing by guest Alan Murray – and segueing into the traditional reel “Moneymusk” and Charlie Lennon’s “The Dowry.”
Crawford’s slow reel, “The Headspinner,” exhibits his ability as a tune composer as well as the outstanding control and precision in his flute-playing, as does the reel that follows, Pat Walsh’s “The Teacake.” Doocey exhibits his lithe, melodic playing at the outset of his composition, “The Road to Foxford,” which Crawford’s flute then picks up, Doocey switching to a jazz-flavored accompaniment enhanced by Stephen Markham’s electric keyboard; then Farrell enters on “Wade’s Reel,” one of his many originals on the album, Jonny Hulme’s five-string banjo joining the mix.
Crawford does a fascinating solo whistle take on an 18th-century classical piece, Ferdinando Carulli’s “Opus 34 Duo in G,” Doocey providing an appropriately drawing-room-type backing. Farrell’s showcase is an epic medley of his own tunes, the jig “Head First” and reels “Night Heron,” “The Happy Shadow” and “The Wild Lime,” Hulme’s banjo helping engineer a gradual shift into a newgrass mode, with Farrell firing off hot bluegrass licks and jazz-like improvisations.
But don’t regard “Music and Mischief” simply as a stop-gap until the next Lúnasa release: It deserves to be listened to, and savored, on its own terms. Sean Smith

 Irish Music Magazine
Seems like déja vu, with a similar recent release featuring Dylan Foley, but Colin Farrell has stepped in twixt Crawford and Doocey, not only providing excellent fiddle but also offering the potential of whistle duets. In many ways the sound here is like early Lúnasa, accentuated by Jason Sypher on string bass, and by the inclusion of compositions from McGoldrick and Hennessy. That would be cause for celebration by all Irish music fans, were it not for the sad loss that is marked by this recording: Michael Grinter, Australian flute and whistle craftsman, whose untimely death shocked many musicians around the world, but who is remembered here in style.

Kicking off with a Breton waltz, a McElvogue jig and two old Irish tunes, the familiar pan-Celtic genius of Crawford is apparent throughout. A gentle medley of jigs and reels, a gorgeous Galician swagger, and a pair of poignant compositions straight out of the Lúnasa playbook bring us to the relaxed Alasdair Sutherland's March and a chance to pause ahead of two belting traditional reels. This album is a real head-turner for the session scene, with hints of Sully jigs, Shaw reels and now a trimmed version of Rip the Calico. Kevin takes a solo on the challenging Opus 34 by Ferdinando Carulli, written for classical guitar in the early 19th century but smoothly transferred to low whistle here.

Colin's solo follows a slew of Scottish and Irish reels and jigs: he plays four of his own pieces, fast and funky, flash fiddling as good as any. The final furlong starts with a gallop through the big Jacobite hornpipe Johnny Cope, takes in a slide and a reel before Doocey's delicate slow Road to Foxford, and crosses the finish line in a blaze of reels old and new. Flutes and fiddle, sensitive guitar and a few guest appearances: Music & Mischief is a world class album, wide-ranging yet precise, fabulous music played with feeling. Alex Monaghan

On The Upbeat
Tis the season of introducing new albums, and a real corker has just been released by master musicians Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell, and Patrick Doocey.  MUSIC AND MISCHIEF is a stunning collection of newly composed and traditional tunes arranged with a brightness and high-spirited touch that will immediately take you to a happier place feeling relaxed and joyful. It has been a steady companion since I received it.

All three are exceptionally accomplished musicians. Kevin, born in Birmingham, moved to Clare for many years, and now living in New York is a long time member and spokesperson for the iconic band Lunasa.  I would run out of room listing the musicians and events he has been a part of.  He has long been considered one of the foremost flute, whistle players, and composers in Irish music.  Born in Manchester of Irish parents from Cavan and Galway, Colin has been playing since he was 8 and in bands since 12 years of age.  If you can name an Irish musician, he has played with them.  Presently, he has been a regular member of Lunasa, especially here in The States, when Sean Smyth is unable to be with them due to his physician duties at home.  I love when both are playing-deadly! An award winning fiddle and whistle player, as well as an accomplished composer, Colin is fast becoming one of the most talked about Irish musicians. Patrick has long been a highly respected and sought-after accompanist in Irish music. American born in Massachusetts, he moved to Foxford, Co. Mayo before returning and settling in New York.  He is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, and amazingly self-taught on the instrument on which we know him best-the guitar.

Anyone who has spent time with Kevin and Colin or been to a concert of theirs, will have a chuckle at the album name. The humor and banter on and offstage well supports the title of MUSIC AND MISCHIEF!  As you enjoy the music and think of their smiles, laughs and lighthearted chiding, you cannot help but feel happiness as you have a listen.  Opening with a set including a waltz, jig set, and a reel, Mouse in the Mug orients you to the album’s balanced mixture of tunes which also includes a march, slide, hornpipe, polkas, and Galician selections. If you have a favorite, it is included.  Their play is fluid and consonant with harmonies that would suggest a familial relation.  They are that good. Also accompanying on this album are the prodigious piano keyboardist Stephen Markham, Alan Murray on bouzouki, and Tony O’Flaherty on piano.

I haven’t been able to choose favorites yet, well, other than Maryann’s choice which I was humbled and so touched that Colin wrote for me… All tunes are well chosen or composed and pull at you in different ways. I do keep getting drawn to the slow pieces, The Headspinner and The Road to Foxford.  Kevin and Colin each have solo sets that feature their mind-blowing talents.  Kevin chose an unusual piece by Ferdinando Carulli, Opus 34 Duo in G that he gives incredible feeling to as he plays.  Colin’s set Head First/The Night Heron/The Happy Shadow/The Wild Lime is a combination of a jig and reels that will have you up dancing in the kitchen.  We’ll have to find out the story behind The Wild Lime!  Patrick has no solo, but if you head to the beginning of The Road to Foxford, you’ll get a taste of great guitar. His accompaniment keeps the sets solid and flowing with great balance.  The Pure Irish Drops featuring Colin and Kevin both on whistles and Patrick’s guitar forefront is uplifting and absolutely delightful!  You can almost hear the stomp of the dancers’ shoes as you listen to the Johnny Cope hornpipe.  While they opened with a waltz, MUSIC AND MISCHIEF takes us out with a lilting set named Pelican Marsh that is so delightful, it has you hitting the restart button to listen to the album one more time.

We are so very fortunate as listeners with all the great music available to us.  MUSIC AND MISCHIEF is sure to be one of the most talked about and enjoyed this year and for years to come.  It is a gift of tunes and talent that is a must own for all who love Irish music.

A quick mention of another new album and musical duo you will want to check out and enjoy is two by guitar and vocalist Steve Crawford and fiddler Sabrina Palm.  CONNLA’s super piper Conor Mallon sent me this album which he is featured on assuring me I would enjoy their music, and enjoy I have!  Steve is a singer, guitarist, and composer from Aberdeen who loves to feature the great Scottish themes of lost love, the sea and the hills of his homeland.  Sabrina is a beautiful fiddler from Bonn Germany who has been playing Celtic music all her life.  You will immediately enjoy her style which has a beautifully light touch taking you flowing through the music.  Also joining them on accompaniment are the great bodhran player Robbie Walsh and Paul Bremen on viola.  This album is a fine mix of traditional, several Sabrina compositions, and tunes from well known musicians such as Brian Finnegan, Kris Drever, and Gordan Duncan.

It is well worth adding to your collections.  Thanks, Conor, this is a winner!