Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as 'the best ever banjoist in the history of Irish music', Gerry O'Connor has brought the banjo to places no other player had tread before. He has traveled the world - physically and musically - experimenting with everything from Irish to bluegrass to African and Asian, and back. Both as a soloist and as a member of the highly acclaimed Four Men and a Dog, Gerry has truly traced the banjo's journey through the world of music.
This journey is most evident in Gerry's most recent solo recording, "High Up Low Down" which features his unique treatment of Irish traditional music, American bluegrass and ground-breaking new compositions.
Highlights include Donovan's 60's hit song 'Colours' and 'Mary J' by Kevin Doherty which seques into the American folk classic 'Sail Away Ladies'. Other tracks include a magnificent version of Earl Scruggs' 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown'.
Gerry's original tracks 'Outlaw' and 'Beautiful Friend' have a cinematic quality which is no surprise as many of his compositions have been used in TV and film over the years.
The Irish traditional tracks show Gerry as a superb multi-instrumentalist with expertly crafted arrangements on banjo, fiddle, viola, mandolin and guitar.
Previous solo albums of Gerry, 'Myriad', 'Time To Time' and 'No Place Like Home' (Irish Times Folk Album of the Year 2005) continue to sell to music fans of all genres. A musician much in demand, Gerry has recorded and featured with the Sharon Shannon Big Band, Damian Dempsey, The Band, Chris Rea, and most recently Sharon Corr, as well as continuing his work with Four Men & a Dog.
Gerry's contribution to Irish Music can best be summed up in the words of Earl Hitchener; Music Critic for the Wall Street Journal. Celtic Music, Irish Echo, CTMS Journal (USA):
"Gerry O'Connor may be the single best four string banjoist in the history of Irish Music. It seems a tall statement to make but his phenomenal technique fully justified it. O'Connor tossed off runs and ornaments with effortless virtuosity and his jazz-like penchant for experimentation and risk taking will remind listeners of American five string banjo players like Bela Fleck and Alison Brown. If ever a musician truly 'owned' the instrument he plays Gerry O'Connor 'owns' the four - string banjo. A member of Four Men and a Dog he should be fronting his own band that will compliment and react properly to his amazing musical instincts. He is in every sense of the word sensational".
Just back from playing my fiddle at the Northern Lights Festival and then a photography-trip round the Highlands. I went with a box of different CDs but must have played Myriad 99% of the time. Phew, I think it has to be my ALL TIME favourite CD. What a relief to have it back to play having bought a new one since some horrible person nicked my last one! What a great CD and the variety of the tunes and their arrangement. I'm tempted to do a picture sound track of Scottish scenes to go on a DVD alongside your music. THANKS for making this excellent CD!
See you are online so thought I would say hello! It's been ages since I saw you in person, I think the last time our paths crossed was back stage at the Dubliners Celtic Connections gig. Whatever - It's been TOO long since I was over in Ireland but hope to change that later this year. Anyway, just wanted to say hello and wish you all the best,
howya ger, realy looking forward to yer music comin' up here. gigged in france with a guy called anto ward ( tich ward)who was always ravin' about you. he was a great banjo player himself. i have been working on a solo album with a guy called john hogan from arklow in co wicklow lately and have added some of his tunes there though they're not quiet finnished. have a listen though and let me know what you think. keep up the good work mo charra , and if your ever lookin' for a guitar player well give us a bell . noel ( cheeky or what? )
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