finetune artist: Nightnoise

Nightnoise earned critical acclaim during the late 80s and early 90s for their seamless blend of traditional Celtic music, jazz and chamber music. The band was inaugurated in Portland, Oregon, USA, by former Bothy Band and Relativity member Miche l O Domhnaill (b. 7 October 1952, Dublin, Eire, d. 8 July 2006, Dublin, Eire) and Billy Oskay (b. Kingston, New York, USA). O Domhnaill spent 12 years playing guitar in the Bothy Band then four as a duo playing with Kevin Burke. Nightnoise presented him with an opportunity to escape traditional Irish jigs and reels. Though like Burke new partner Oskay was also a fiddler, his style was entirely different - rooted in the classical tradition. The "free-flowing pieces" they came up with during improvisations encouraged them to believe there was potential in forming a long-term partnership, with O Domhnaill playing piano and harmonium in addition to guitar. Two pieces they recorded at Oskay's four-track studio in Portland were tentatively mailed out to industry contacts. William Ackerman of Windham Hill Records offered them the chance to record a full album in the same vein. The results of this invitation were then released in 1984 as Nightnoise, credited to O Domhnaill and Oskay. The reaction was positive and sales were sufficient to make Nightnoise, as they now billed themselves, a permanent vehicle.

Listen to Nightnoise at Finetune.

Night In That Land
Perchance To Dream
Bridges
Shuan
Lully Lullay