Award winning Duo George Jackson and Davydd McDonald take you on an exciting journey through an array of Celtic music, Scorching hot Instrumentals and Powerful Male Dancing. The Hot Blooded Music and Dance of this Duo combine in a new direction of the Celtic tradition.
About George:
George Jackson is an exciting, young and energetic fourth generation fiddle player who has performed extensively throughout New Zealand and Australia with fiddle group "Fiddlesticks". Having received scholarships to America in 2006 and 2008 to study fiddle with Alastair Fraser, Hanneke Cassel, Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky and Martin Hayes among others, he has gone on to win the Austaralian No-Holds Barred Fiddle Competition (2007). George has been a competitive Highland Dancer since the age of 5 winning the New Zealand South Island Championships and has danced internationally in America and with the New Zealand team in Korea.
About Davydd:
Davydd McDonald is a six times Queensland and four time Australian Irish Dance Champion and a regular performer at festivals and events throughout Australia and Overseas. As a dancer, he has performed with international acts such as Lunasa, Sharon Shannon, Gerry O'Connor, The Chieftains and local groups such as Cloudstreet and Tulca Mor. His rhythm and timing have been transferred to his guitar playing with ease, making him a much sought after Celtic guitarist and session musician.
Making an explosive entrance on the festival scene this year George and Davydd were the surprise favorites at some of the biggest festivals in the country including the National Folk Festival and Maldon Folk Festival, driving the crowd at Maldon to chant "Bring back the sexy boys" until there was an encore granted!
You will not want to miss this one off concert at Simply for Strings!
George and Davydd have just released their NEW CD: "Succession". Being described as "Absolutely screaming potential." (Australian Trad and Now Magazine) "The duo have managed to create a contemporary sounding album that maintains a traditional feel - no easy feat!" (NZ Musician Magazine)
You can support us by purchasing a copy via: Reel Celtic
Firstly, in reviewing this album, I must admit to being a little out of my depth – not being an aficionado of purely instrumental music. However the more I listened, the more I had to say about this first recording from two of our local scenes finest young performers. So I hope you will forgive my lack of technical expertise. George Jackson and Davydd McDonald have produced an album that absolutely screams potential. The album contains mostly original tunes with varied instrumentation that are deeply rooted in our traditions and forms, as well as some twists on traditional tunes that led me to re-examine the old in the light of the new. I expected to hear beautiful fiddle and guitar work but was surprised by equally fine banjo (from George) and flute (Beth McCracken) as well as some clever use of vocals. I was astounded at the creativity and innate joy on this recording and thoroughly enjoyed all tracks.
The CD attempts to use their shared Celtic backgrounds as well as their New Zealand and Australian cultural backgrounds and influences to create a distinctive sound. This synergy is nowhere more apparent than in the Song of the Tui (a solo fiddle piece that evokes NZ and the beautiful bird) and the treatment of the traditional Dinky’s Reel (using banjo and guitar). From the more traditional sounding Euphoria and Foolish Epiphanies to the sultry Spinning Her, (which is my favourite track, an evocative piece using subtle vocals to underpin the harmony), funky Death Metal, the jazz influenced variations on Not So (E)tholl Highlanders, to the more percussive Trading Set and the whimsical Granpa Dickson Set, surprises await at every turn.
The production is clean and uses simple effects that enhance the work rather than overpower – the tune itself remains the focus. Occasionally I felt there was a tendency to be a bit self indulgent, however the incredibly high standard of musicianship and equally high level of empathy in the recording makes it difficult for me to find fault. The CD itself is well presented – though the font is a wee bit small for my aging eyes – grand photos and charming notes on the tunes.
This is undoubtedly only the beginning from this talented pairing and I, for one, can’t wait to hear what they will grace us with next.
Review of "Succession" by Bing Turkby for NZ Musician Magazine:
A 10-track CD of Celtic-style guitar and fiddle tunes predominantly written by George Jackson, this release is sometimes jaunty and sometimes mournful. For example, Song of the Tuis' haunting violin harmonics precede Trading Set, a trio of traditional tunes performed with great gusto, featuring the percussive sound of McDonald's Irish dancing. Throughout the album Jackson's skilful fiddle (and banjo) playing meld well with McDonald's interesting guitar rhythms and chords. The addition of flute player Beth McCracken to the mix on some tunes really lifts the overall effect. This reminded me a little of the JSD Band. I'd really like to hear what they sound like with a backing band, a la Sharon Shannon. Still, the duo have managed to create a contemporary sounding album that maintains a traditional feel - no easy feat. It's very difficult to pen a Celtic tune that doesn't either sound like a rip-off, or fall so far outside the idiom as to lose the feel, but these guys have achieved it, and put some modern spins on traditional tunes while they're at it.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Thanks guys !!! great performance today ... audience loved you and Fiddlesticks .. Hope Fiddlesticks get their MySpace done soon :)) Have a great week Pat :)) www.folkredlands.com Some of Pauls Pics are on our site Diary Page .."whose been " I will send mine later !!! :))
Hey thanks for circling around the block, coming back and becoming a Dog's best friend...How've things been?? Just wondering if you had had a chance to check out my tunes...? I would love your thoughts... Take Care Jonathan Scorched Dog
Hi Davydd, see you at Dorrigo. You can see what you think of my brand new Davy Stuart cittern! Just back from picking it up in NZ. David Hyams Trio are coming from WA. He writes new Irish type tunes among other stuff. Don't Know which players are coming though. See you . Mark
Hi guys how's it all going ? Loved the c d and most of all you guys were brilliant at the launch. Oh the sound guy wasn't bad either. Take care, Mannie
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