Sing Out!
August 28, 2006
Irish music was all around when Dan Possumato was growing up in Pittsburgh, but it took a sojourn to Germany, and the purchase of a new button accordion, to bring him back to his first love: the music of Clare and Galway. In this debut CD, he has selected tunes and songs for the C melodeon and D/G button box, and assembled a cast of superb musicians to back him up. From the consistent danceability of the "Bantry Lasses" reel set, to the sweetness of the "Charlotte's Waltz" medley, Possumato demonstrates both his virtuosity and his deep knowledge of the repertoire. Land of Sunshine has a traditional feel to it, partly because of Possumato's selections -- most of which come from the old time repertoire, but also owing to the accompaniments, which are subtle and supportive. Listen to Quentin Cooper's guitar work on the waltz set, or Jerry Mulvihill's banjo playing on the "P.J Hernon's" jig set and you know that these are sidemen who love the tunes as much as Possumato does. A couple of songs grace the recording, too, by the fine traditional singer Laura Mulcahy. Kudos, too, go to the recording team, which has made the music sound clean and spare.
This is a superb first recording, and a great addition to anyone's collection of music for button accordion, or just plain great Irish music. -- Mary Derosier