CD:
Ar Scáth a Chéile / Each Others Shadow: Flaithrí, Eoghan, Muireann (Marion), Karl Nesbitt, Ger Harrington, Adrian Curtin.
Live gig:
Live at the Lobby: Flaithrí, Eoghan, Johnny Neville, Ray Murphy, Mick McCarthy.
Selkie: The fifth part of Eoghan's composition as theatre score for a play “Selkie” by Deirdre Ní Chonghaile. Flaithrí, Eoghan.
EOGHAN:
Influences
The note carriers past and present who nurture a great tradition.
At the age of eight Flaithrí took lessons with Tomás Ó Canainn; and at the age of six Eoghan went for fiddle lessons with Gary Cronin. However, besides these classes and music in the home they also travelled around to master classes, Fleadh Cheoils and summer schools.
From the beginning Flaithrí naturally developed a very different style from his teacher, Tomás. Listeners likened his style to Johnny Doran, Paddy Keenan. Other respected pipers that Flaithrí took master classes from are Ronan Browne, Eoin Ó Riabhaigh, Diarmuid Moynihan.
Eoghan developed a very individual style from an early age that his teacher, Gary, admired. Eoghan was determined to tame this difficult instrument and earned much respect from adult performers. Eoghan is very deeply into his music and would consider Tommy Peoples, Tommy Potts and Edward Cronin as inspirational fiddlers.
NeffBros: Reviews
“... soul-deep mastery of instruments ...” Hotpress
“... virtuoso playing from start to finish ...” Irish Times
“... instrumentalists from Ireland nothing short of genius ...” Celtic Beat
“... the innovative edge of the traditional music continuum ...” Irish Examiner
“... where traditional skill and high art meet ...” Celtic Beat
“... stunningly accomplished, exuberant and dynamic ...” ClancysIrishMusic
“... goldfish-bowl of technique and artistry ...” Sunday Tribune
“... vibrant and exciting ...” Irish Music Magazine
“... rock-hard unison ...” Muse
“... they are like two parts of the same instrument ...” Irish Examiner
“... an absolute revelation ...” Evening Echo
“... maximum degrees of energy and intensity and sensitivity ...” ScottishIrish
“... delving enthusiastically into tunes ...” Hotpress
“... precision and energy ...” GreenManReviews
“... drive and enthusiasm ...” ElectricScotland
“... something to revel in ...” Irish Times
“... servis par une technique irréprochable ...” Trad Magazine
“... virtuosité ... exceptionnel ... excellent ...” Le Peuple Breton
NeffBros: Pics
Teaghlach (The Neff Family) in 1998.
The brothers play support for Carlos Nuñez in the Cork Opera House, afterwards here is Carlos, Hammy, Rebeca, Eoghan and Flaithrí.
Playing for a very important wedding.
Flaithrí as soloist with the Cork Youth Orchestra for The Brendan Voyage touring Italy.
Flaithrí in another Lorient Festival as soloist with orchestra.
NeffBros in Oviedo, Spain.
Charity concert for Concern.
Performing on TV programme "Flosc".
Flaithrí with Tomás Ó Canainn.
Eoghan receiving academic recognition for his performances.
NeffBros: Albums
Soundpost and Bridle
Ar Scáth a Chéíle Each Other's Shadow
Visit www.neffbros.eu for more information
Sounds Like
HOTPRESS, Oliver P. Sweeney "... Paddy Keenan and Tommy Peoples …”
Irish Music Magazine, John O'Regan "... Planxty and the Bothy Band ..."
MUSE, Mic Moroney "... Paddy Glackin/Paddy Keenan chemistry of the early Bothy Band ..."
FÁILTE isteach agus go raibh maith agat as an gcuairt. Tá súil againn go n-éistfidh tú le raon amháin ar a laghad.
Bhain muintir Neff úsáid as 'Teaghlach' mar ainm agus iad ag seinnt ar ardán le chéíle. Bhí draíocht ar leith ann ach go háirithe do na tuismitheoirí, Muireann agus Éibhear. Thárla 'NeffBros" nuair a cheap Muireann agus Éibhear go mbeadh cruthaíocht níos leithne ag Flaithrí agus Eoghan le ceoltóirí eile san áireamh chomh maith.
Welcome and thank you for visiting us. Hope you listen to one track at least.
We used the title 'Teaghlach' when we all played together on stage as a family {"Teaghlach" actually means "family unit of parents and children" in the Irish language}. Magical experiences especially for the the parents, Muireann (Marion) and Éibhear. 'NeffBros came about when Muireann and Éibhear decided that Flaithrí and Eoghan could broader their creativity by also involving other musicians.
Cheers, the Neff family.
About NeffBros: music
Uilleann Pipes and Fiddle are considered to be the sweetest of duets in Irish traditional music.
The two instruments have a very similar sound as the fiddle can tune and adapt to the uilleann pipes.
Uilleann Pipes are the pride of Irish Traditional music and the Fiddle is the most expressive.
“Musicians of traditional Irish music are bearers of a living heritage which passes temporarily into their guardianship. Each generation in turn influences this heritage, without them our music would not have survived. While listening, let us appreciate past generations' gift to us.” (from their debut album Soundpost and Bridle).
Their approach to music offers a great opportunity to see an act that is at the cutting edge of Irish traditional music, performed in an informal yet professional setting. When artists are pegged into specific musical categories, all too often they are creatively restrained and not allowed to think outside the box. Not so with Flaithrí and Eoghan Neff who have chosen to saddle up the true Irish tradition and ride over the many artificial constrains imposed on traditional musicians.
About NeffBros: performance
They are an unique duet with a wonderful wealth of traditional music and are proficient and exciting talents. As a duet “there's something unassailable in the pair's rock-hard unison”, it is an awesome force of melodious and rhythmic energy, embodying spontaneous musical passion with tight, intricate arrangements. This combination of a solid, unwavering yet furious and fiery performance by NeffBros leaves audiences gasping and shouting for more. They are “marvels of their craft.” (Quotes from Muse, Greenman Review)
Their virtuoso performance is quite simply “where traditional skill and high art meet” as Celtic Beat agree. Dance tunes are given a brilliantly sparky treatment to produce a rich and varied powerful music with piping pyrotechnics and fiddle fireworks. As ElectricScotland put it “it’s their drive and enthusiasm, backed up with the accuracy of their playing that grabs you and makes you want to listen (at least) or dance (more likely).”
Be prepared to lose time while consumed by a Neff Brothers performance, as Alex Monaghan, Living Tradition, commented in reviewing their second album, “... and then it's over, and you're wondering where the time went. These two brothers from Cork, have put the universe on hold for an hour ...”
Slow airs are an emotional aspect of music, Flaithrí renders “heart-stopping slow airs on the pipes” and Eoghan’s delivery “is exquisite to say the least”. Their creative arrangements and enthusiasm for the tradition is very evident and illustrates their love of music, “old and new tunes alike sparkle atop Flaithrí's highly articulate piping and Eoghan's ferocious (and betimes precocious) fiddle”. (Quotes from Trad Magazine, Greenman Review, The Irish Times)
Neff Brothers dear: Your friendship and musicality mean a lot to me. Your Irish sounds do knock me out and remind me of my 1988 unforgettable voyage to Great Britain, South Ireland, Holland and Belgium. One of the many highlights was to run into those buskers playing different instruments and singing in Dublin: acoustic guitars, flute, fiddle, concertina, harp, bagpipes, etc. I hope you can enjoy listening to my provincial music as much as I have loved yours. Congratulations, happiness and good luck on every gig, may our good Lord keep on giving you such a divine inspiration and that you always bring the next house down with your so sensational melodious duets. A fraternal embrace from your Brazilian admirer,
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hope your having a good one. Rod
