Guidewires

Padraig Rynne and Tola Custy on concertina and fiddle team up with Breton fluter fantastic, Sylvain Barou to provide the frontline of this young Irish band. Belfast guitarist, Paul McSherry and Doolin bouzouki boy wonder, Karol Lynch fill the backline. There was a live album in 2010, which was very well received, certainly by me. Now the boys have been in the studio, Triona Ní Dhomhnaill popped in for a couple of songs, and album number two presents more of the Guidewires hallmark mix: original tunes, a few compositions by modern composers from all over Europe, and some pure traditional material.

The lion’s share of composing credits goes to Padraig, with six new pieces, but all five core members have tunes here. Sylvain stresses the Breton aspect with Toonagh Ridée, and adds his high Breton bagpipes to the band’s sound. King of the Scals shows Paul’s composing talents on an offbeat slow reel and a typically Irish minurka (something between a minuet and a mazurka). Two of my favourite tracks are P’s Led Balloon, which combines compositions by everyone except Padraig, and Eff Reels which is straight Irish trad: Garret Barry’s, Hanley’s Tweed, and John Brennan’s. Triona’s two songs are a long slow version of the Scottish song The Selkie of Sule Skerry, and a sultry take on the Clannad favourite Mo Mhaire. The arrangements are gentle, sympathetic, with Triona’s distinctive vocals to the fore. On the instrumental side, Guidewires can slow the pace too: Tola’s tune Buoy M5 is a charming air, and Karol’s waltz Caoimhín sits in the soulful space between Celtic and Old Time. Padraig provides a cracking finale with his jaunty reel Mercury Falling.

All in all, this album lives up to the promise of Guidewires debut: here is a band who can follow the likes of Lúnasa and At First Light, who can keep the rad in trad, and take Irish music with them around the world. - Irish Music Magazine

YOU have to wonder about a band who decide to release a live album as their debut offering. Case in point: Ireland's Guidewires. So polished and measured is their live performance, you only have to close your eyes and you'd swear you were listening to them on the latest hi-tech stereo.
This hairy bunch from the Emerald Isle aren't exactly a visual treat, either (no offence, boys), hence the emphasis here is on sound rather than jumping around like, say, those loonies, The Treacherous Orchestra for example. But that's not to say Karol Lynch (bouzouki), Tola Custy (fiddle), Padraig Rynne (concertina), Paul McSherry (guitar) and Breton flautist Sylvain Barou don't indulge in a bit of craic, either – they do.
With tunes given such quirky titles as Everyone Fancies Helen Mirren and The Recession Jig, this superb quintet might not take themselves too seriously, however, their music most certainly is. From Ireland to the Middle East with a whistle stop towards Breton, Guidewires sound like a modern day Bothy Band. Musical error, you suspect, might be treated harshly backstage afterward; however, rarely, if ever, did a note slip or slide anywhere than its designated target. Top stuff in other words. - The Scotsman

Guidewires II is the long-awaited first studio album from this all-star band. With some of Ireland and Brittany’s finest players; Pádraig Rynne (concertina); Sylvain Barou (flute); Tóla Custy (fiddle); Paul McSherry (guitar) and Karol Lynch (bouzouki), and it does not disappoint!

The music is a high-energy mix of Irish, Breton, Spanish and Greek tunes, most composed by the band members themselves. The recording was engineered by Karol Lynch and the artwork by Sylvain Barou – they are a talented bunch!

The band has invited some of their friends to guest on the album including Triona Ni Domhnaill (vocals and keyboards) and Breton band Gwerz bass player Alain Genty. Triona’s two songs (The Selkie and Mo Mhaire) come from the singing of her late brother Micheal and Daithi Sproule in the early 70’s. These songs are in contrast with the tune sets and add another dimension to the CD.

The arrangements are inventive and the musicianship superb. Pádraig Rynne’s excellent set of 3 slip jigs, Hats Off To Dod being a good example. Highly recommended! - The Living Tradition

Happily there was Guidewires . Much Irish traditional, but also own compositions, from concertina wonder Pádraig Rynne and from the Breton Sylvain Barrou who we know from Comas. Sylvain showed us he's not only one of the best flute players of his generation, but that he can handle the uilleann pipes pretty well. The violin celebrated her anniversary by coincidence and tour manager Patrick De Loecker put her to the fore. We forgot the heavy rains outside and the whole tent did go crazy for this quintet. - Folkroddels