The "Brilliantly Talented" Alan Kelly Releases New Album

Blackbox Music is delighted to announce the release of After the Morning, the eagerly anticipated new album from Roscommon born accordionist, Alan Kelly.

One of the busiest performers on the traditional and folk music scene, it’s hard to believe that it’s almost a decade since Alan Kelly’s last solo outing.  Nonetheless, in that time Alan has reaffirmed his stature as one of Ireland’s top musicians touring and recording with artists such as De Dannan, Arty McGlynn, Eddi Reader, Lúnasa, and Michael McGoldrick.

For his 3rd solo, self -produced album, Kelly has brought together a diverse group of superb musicians, many of which he has worked with, in different equations, over the past decade.    The result is a stunning album, both fresh and mature.  It features the talents of Jim Murray on guitar, Jim Higgins on percussion, Tola Custy on fiddle and Ian Carr on guitar among others with guest vocals from Scotland’s Eddi Reader and Kris Drever (BBC Horizon award winner 2007).

After the Morning takes the listener on a musical journey from the heart of Roscommon to the craggy hills of Scotland, Brittany and beyond.  Though at times having a slightly contemporary feel, Alan acknowledges his roots with tunes such as The Jolly Tinker (trk2) and The Rookery Reel (trk7).  Lively up-tempo numbers contrast tastefully with gentle rhythmic tunes and Alan proves that he hasn’t lost his touch on the technically demanding tune from Galicia, Jota da Maia (trk9).

After the Morning features four original tracks including the title track, the haunting and beautiful Eolann (trk4), the playful Siena Waltz (trk 6) and New Years Day (trk12).  The guitar and percussion combination of Jim Higgins and Jim Murray on tracks 1,2 and 7 create a groove that is just plain addictive.  After the Morning is not to be missed!

Alan Kelly’s debut album Out of the Blue exploded onto the traditional music scene in 1996 with such impact that he is generally credited with ‘making the piano accordion hip again’. 
He released two further albums, the brilliant fusion that was Mosaic and the beautifully forthright and traditional Fourmilehouse, with his brother John.  Both albums received critical acclaim both at home and abroad and paved the way for festival and concert appearances all over the world.  Produced by Arty McGlynn, Mosaic was voted one of the ‘top ten trad albums’ by both The Irish Times and Hot Press Magazine.  Irish Music magazine also nominated Mosaic for ‘Best Crossover album’ of the year alongside Solas, Afro-Celts, and Sharon Shannon.  Alan has also contributed to a number of theatre productions from Boston to Edinburgh to Sydney working with prestigious award winning theatre companies such as Galway’s Druid Theatre Co., The Lyric in Belfast and Mabou Mines in New York. 

 "in league with the best piano accordionists in the world” New York's Irish Voice

“brilliantly talented, effortless and exuberant”  Irish Times

“an obvious cure for clinical depression, and a lot cheaper than valium” Irish Times 
 "worthy of the grandest soiree of the season" Hot Press

To purchase Alans new album "After The Morning" go to the store page.