THE words “buttons” and “squeeze” can be applied to many exciting situations, but none more exciting than when applied to David Munnelly and his magical instrument.
"The second you hear the ebb and flow of the music that emanates from David's accordion, you will be instantly convinced that this man was born with it in his hands," it says here.
David is this year's featured artist in the Liverpool Irish Festival and appears tonight as part of the Irish Sea Sessions at the Philharmonic Hall. people are travelling from many countries for this. There is still time to get along.
Fingerings
Hailing from Belmullet, a small town by the sea in Co. Mayo, Ireland, David has carried the strong musical tradition from his home and family across the world.
"David is known for his colourful style which inhales bold bass fingerings, complex arrangements and modern compositions; and exhales hints of the roaring 20s and the energy of a box of dynamite coupled with a masterful knack for letting a tune take its own time for a completely unmistakeable and brilliant sound," we are told.
After gaining ample experience and knowledge from his exceptional peers, David formed the David Munnelly Band in 1999 and began a 13-year journey with his own band touring Europe, America and Japan and recording four critically acclaimed CD’s.
Recently David has expanded his repertoire to mainland Europe where he is currently working on several new projects. Along with the most respected accordion players in Europe, David currently performs with the Accordion Samurai, who’s debut CD has won numerous high-profile awards.
Anyway, here he tells us about his top five accordions.
"Bergflodt: Made by Norway's Olav Bergflodt, a very strong, dynamic, pleasant sounding instrument..lightweight and very well finished. A beaut..."
"Gaillard: From the workshop of Bertrand Gaillard, from France but living in Brittany. A very professional instrument, chique, refined, polite."
"Zero Sette: Italian, very strong and loud.. a mega instrument..and quite expensive."
"Paolo Saporani: The God Father. The Grandaddy, the nice relative that used to buy you sweets. Ahhhhh..."
"Hohner: The work horse.. you couldn't break them if you tried. For everything else there's MasterCard."
The info box
Dave Munnelly appears tonight, Friday October 19, 7.30pm, in the third Irish Sea Sessions at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street.
Now in its third year the groundbreaking, part super-group part sessions, project returns with a new line up of the most talented musicians in their field. Featuring new faces and some you'll recognise, the 14 hand-picked multi-instrumentalists and singers drawn from traditional and contemporary music backgrounds, and from both sides of the Irish Sea, come together with the audience for another night of impassioned exposition of the shared music and the special bond between Liverpool and Ireland.
This year’s line-up includes, Pauline Scanlon, Frank Kilkelly, Alan Burke, Terry Clarke-Coyne, Damien Dempsey, Lizzie Nunnery, Ian Prowse, Stevie Dunne, Bernard O’Neill, John McSherry, Méabh O’Hare - Fiddle, Gino Lupari.
Tickets £17.50/ £18.50/ £21. Aftershow £5 adv (£10 on door) from here.
