There’s an old joke that goes ‘what the difference between a fiddle and a violin’, the answer being ‘you don’t spill beer on a violin’. These are definitely two fiddle players, but that is in no way to diminish the skill of those involved. Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh is the fiddle player with the Gloaming and This is how we Fly (whose first release was one of our favourite albums of last year). Dan Trueman is a professor of music at Princeton University and an extremely skilled musician. These two musicians have collaborated for this first time on this new release. The title of their album, “Laghdú” is an Irish word meaning a reduction, decrease or lessening, and it is very much the aim of this production, to produce something that is stripped back to the essential, and can be easily played live. The influences of Irish music is obvious, but the introduction of Norwegian fiddle music will be new to most, and it is this amalgamation that makes it into something unique. One of the tracks ‘What What What’ will be familiar to fans of ‘This is how we fly’ as the song features on both albums. It is slightly different on Laghdú with the introduction of the second player, to fill out the sound and develop it further. All of the tracks are fiddlle based, with the two performers sometimes playing together and at other times battling with each other, like a struggle for supremacy. It’s a complex and intriguing insight into the various sounds that can be developed. The main thing you realise is how emotive fiddle playing can be, there is such raw feeling in the playing, such highs and lows, happiness and sadness. It is a lovely collection that deserves to be heard. Laghdú – Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh & Dan Trueman – Is available here. The album will be launched in Dublin Castle this Friday (3rd Oct). 1. Laghdú 04:35 2. Gollywhopper 01:52 3. What What What 04:15 4. Mausoleum 04:47 5. The Jack of Diamonds Three 05:33 6. Tuireamh na n-Iolar 06:00 7. Folamh 03:27 8. Leathan le Leathan 03:20 9. Fead an Iolair 03:59 10. Caol le Caol 03:43 11. Aonar 05:32