Four comments
Long, who just returned from a tour with Cherish the Ladies, has released her first solo CD. In fact, I believe she just received the CDs herself, so I’m not positive when it will be available in widespread release or through what source (it was produced by Long Lost Music). Whenever it is made available to the widespread public, buy it.
Anyone who is familiar with her work will not be surprised to know that this album is stellar. The album consists of 4 reel sets, 2 jig sets, 2 slow air sets (one of which includes chirping birds at the start and end of tune--quite a nice effect), 2 air sets, and 1 hornpipe set. The guest musicians are James Kelly, Yvonne Kane (her daughter-in-law), Jesse Smith (her son), Billy McComiskey, and Liz Knowles. Interesting to note also, most of the album was recorded in Long’s home, but you would never know it from the recording. The sound quality is amazing. Very pure.
All-in-all, a great album!
Ok, I just talked to her last night, and she was selling them while on tour with Cherish the Ladies. Since it was released by her and not one of the major labels, your best bet for finding it is from fairly direct sources. If you go to www.cherishtheladies.com, you can find the CD there. She also lists a website in the liner notes, www.donnalongpiano.com, and I suspect that you can get the CD’s there, although the site did not seem to be up and running yet. You may be able to find the CD other places than those two, but that should get anyone started who is interested.
Superb stuff
Just got hold of Handprints and I have to say that it’s a superb album.
What I find remarkable is not just the quality of Donna’s playing which is intensely personal (just listen to her take on that old session standard “McMahon’s” for proof!) but the quality of the recording of her piano. I’ve yet to hear a recording which has captured the sound of the 88 keys so well.
And with guest appearances by no less than James Kelly, Yvonne Kane, Jesse Smith, Billy McComiskey and Liz Knowles, then you know you’re in for a treat.
(Others might find it a bit corny - in fact in other instances I’d find it corny myself - but the recording of a lark at the start of “Lark In The Clear Air” is just beautiful!)
it is rumoured that no animal was injured in the proceeding for she used her little bathtub rubber duck to the same effect.
Of course, it matters not what instrument -as all banjo players know- but how you play it!