Across the Black River
A new CD by Kevin Burke & Cal Scott
With special guests Johnny B. Connolly, Michael McGoldrick and Phil Baker

On Loftus Music, available at www.kevinburke.com
Retail release date:  May 8, 2007

This recording is an exciting collaboration between Irish fiddler, Kevin Burke, and guitarist/composer, Cal Scott. The two first met while working on a documentary about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland.  Cal was commissioned to compose the score and he engaged Kevin as a consultant on the project. They enjoyed working together so much that when it was completed they continued to spend time together, playing, recording and exchanging musical ideas. "Across the Black River" is their first CD together.
"Across the Black River" was recorded in Oregon, and is the premier release on Kevin's new label Loftus Music. The title comes from one of Kevin's compositions (covered on "Sé", Lunasa's latest cd) which he named after a small river in Co. Sligo close to where his Mother grew up. As one might expect from Kevin, renowned for his interpretations of traditional Irish music, the album includes various selections of reels, jigs and hornpipes but there is also music from a variety of other sources, for example: two waltzes, both written by Cal, a reworking of a Bill Monroe bluegrass standard and an air written by Phil Cunningham in remembrance of his brother Johnny.
While "Across the Black River" is very much a duo album, Kevin and Cal were delighted to be able to enlist the unique talents of fellow musicians, Johnny B. Connolly (accordeon) from the band "Bridgetown," Michael McGoldrick (flutes) from "Capercaillie" and Phil Baker (bass) from "Pink Martini" and several tracks feature their contributions.  
Since the early 1970's Kevin has been a well-known figure in the Irish music world.  His 30 years of recordings and performances have made him a highly influential figure both as a soloist and as a member of such esteemed groups as the Bothy Band, Patrick Street and The Celtic Fiddle Festival. In 2002 Kevin was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in acknowledgement of his valued contribution to traditional music.
Cal Scott is a native Oregonian who has played in folk, rock and jazz ensembles for three decades. He has recorded and produced over twenty CDs including nine with The Trail Band, an eight-piece American Roots folk group. Cal is also a composer for film having scored over thirty documentaries for PBS.  In 2006 his soundtrack CD from the film, Scotland's Lighthouses, took fourth place in the Celtic Instrumental Album of the Year category in the Just Plain Folks Music Awards. His composing, arranging and production skills as well as his wonderful musicianship are all very much in evidence on this beautiful recording.
2007 will see Kevin & Cal embark on a series of concert performances around the US and no doubt "Across the Black River" will be seen as a valuable addition to the wealth of traditional music that is available today.   
Media contact:  Judith Joiner, judithjoiner@gmail.com