Track Listing 1. James McMahon's Jig / Paddy Mullin's Jig 2. The Limerick Lasses / The Dogs Among the Bushes 3. The Battle of Aughrim / Napoleon Crossing the Alps 4. Paidin O'Raifeartaigh / Darby the Driver 5. The Glen Cottage Slide / The Star Above the Garter 6. The Rakish Highlander / Toss the Feathers 7. Lament for Lugh Darcy 8. The Harlequin / Father Dollard's / Behind the Pairc Anna 9. The One That Got Away / Anach Cuain 10. Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrell / The Doon Reel 11. Jenny Dang the Weaver 12. Jack Walsh's Jig / Winnie Hayes 13. The New Road / The Old Mans Blackthorn Stick 14. Sean O'Duibhir an Ghleanna 15. The Woods of Old Limerick / The Walls of Liscarroll 16. The Rover Through the Bog / The Blackbird Click on underlined titles to hear mp3 sound samples

Accordion player Charlie Piggott was one of the founding members of De Danann and more recently The Lonely Stranded Band. He toured extensively and recorded with both bands and as a solo artist, and has long been working as a professional musician.Originally from Cork, he has been based for many years now in Kinvara in County Galway.
Charlie teams up here with esteemed Kerry fiddle player Gerry Harrington, also a professional musician. Well known in Kerry/Cork music circles and to the Irish American music fraternity; Gerry's music was brought to a wider audience during the nineties through the release of two exquisite albums with accordion player Eoghan O'Sullivan, The Smoky Chimney and Sceal EiIe.
The New Road will not disappoint Piggott or Harrington fans, for this is one musical match made in heaven! The balance, the sweetness and the depth of tradition to be heard here is only what one would expect from these two masters, yet it is exciting, new and formidable. The tunes played come predominantly from the traditional repertoire, yet the listener is treated to rare versions and tasty interpretations of those tunes that radiate a fresh, unique feel and showcase the great musicianship of two of Ireland's finest contemporary musicians. Enjoy!

                                   
Press Reviews

Rock’n’Reel Reviews. 01.02
Accordion player Charlie Piggott initially made his name as one of the founder members of De Dannan. More recently he can be found in the delightfully named Lonely Stranded Band. He teams up on “THE NEW ROAD”, however, with fiddle player Gerry Harrington, a stalwart of Cork/Kerry traditional Irish music.
With sensitive accompaniment from Eugene Kelly on piano and the occasional contribution of Sean O’Loingsigh (bouzouki), THE NEW ROAD winds merrily along, featuring reels, jigs, and hornpipes from throughout Ireland, to earthy and entertaining effect. This is an authentic sound, devoid of the glitzy schmaltz of Riverdance or the speed and bluster of the “Irish pub circuit” duos. As such it is a refreshing treat.  Sean McGhee

Froots Review April 2001
Button accordeon player Charlie Piggott, formerly of De Dannan, and fiddler Gerry Harrington of Smokey Chimney, put their many talents together for an album of duets, played in a lively, enjoyable way. Ideal for dancing. Ideal for listening

The Folk Diary January 2001
Known originally as a banjo player in the early days of De Dannan line-up, Charlie has concentrated on the diatonic accordion for a number of years now. Though he lives overlooking Galway bay, Charlie has been a frequent visitor to Brighton in recent years, where he has family. On these occasions he brings a great deal of impact to the local Irish sessions.
His partnership with Kerry fiddler, Gerry, sounds like a musical marriage made in heaven and results in probably the most satisfying of Charlie’s many recordings. As always, he is able to demonstrate the dazzling variety of Irish traditional music rather than just the fast reels and jigs that many musicians go for.
Johnny ‘Ringo’ Mc Donagh on bodhran and Eugene Kelly on piano provide subtle accompaniments.       Vic Smith

Irish Music Magazine Nov 2000
When I was a a child kneeling in the dark of the confessional, I often wondered what the feeling would be to be sitting on the other side of the grill. What it would be like to sit quietly in that hushed and reverent slightly incense scented atmosphere to hear a person lay out the secrets of their heart and the fallibility of their humanity.
A bit like listening to boxplayer Charlie Piggott and fiddler Gerry Harrington on their CD, The New Road. Charlie's pedigree as a musician stretches back to his childhood in Cobh, Co Cork and hit one of a number of high spots when he was among the original founders of De Dannan. Harrington comes to us from Kenmare, Co Kerry, via Chicago and the company of the likes of Liz Carroll and Jimmy McGreevy. It is hardly surprising then that an impression of huge confidence flows out from the playing on the sixteen tracks. This is a quiet musical conversation between friends exploring some very interesting tunes and doing some interesting things with them. Now and then the low, creamy throb of a percussion insinuates itself. Ringo McDonagh on bodhran is responsible. Sean O'Lionsigh, bouzouki and Eugene Kelly, piano also occasionally joins this musical conspiracy. If I had to pick a favourite from this triumph of understatement it would be either the brilliant set of slides, The Glen Cottage or the jigs, Jack Walsh's/Winnie Hayes. But really I'd have them all with a heart and a  half.  Jim Kelly
 

Revolutions UK On Line Magazine   Oct 2000
This album of box/fiddle music features a new pairing of two of Ireland’s most respected traditional musicians.  Accordion-player Piggott was a founding member of the legendary De Danann while Harrington’s reputation was further enhanced by his releases with Eoghan O’Sullivan during the ‘90’s, The Smoky Chimney and Sceal Eile.  Of course, just because they had such repute individually did not mean they would work well together, but no such problems here.  As Peter Browne wrote in his introduction to the album, “when they play as a duet it is special.”  As well as a shared love of the music there is an unselfishness that gives each his head and makes the lucky listener the beneficiary.  Whether on the jauntiest of jigs and most raucous of reels – The Limerick Lassies/The Dogs Among The Bushes is an early standout – or on such tender tracks as the moving Lament For Lugh Darcy, there is sureness of touch allied to a clear feel for the nature of the material.  The range is broad and includes the marvellous march set of The Battle Of Aughrim/Napoleon Crossing The Alps.  This features fine support from guest Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh on the bodhran and he and fellow guests Eugene Kelly (piano) and Sean O’ Loinsigh (bouzouki) are a great asset throughout.  One of the joys of this album is hearing new versions of tunes that you thought you already knew back to front, Piggott and Harrington often giving an airing to less familiar local interpretations.  One excellent case is the superb reel set comprising The Rakish Highlander (aka Lively Kate or The Mountain Lark) and the classic barnstormer Toss The Feathers, here in a version most popular amongst the musicians of West Clare.  For anyone unfamiliar with this style or under the misapprehension that traditional means old, go listen to this duo; for everyone else who loves Irish music, you don’t need me to tell you what you already know!  David May.

Traditional Music Maker October 2000
Despite a rather naff cover, the Piggott and Harrington CD is as lively as a barrel of monkeys, but then it’s not really surprising since both have quite a reputation. Gerry Harrington used to play Stateside in the ex pat communities of Chicago, making a name for himself with Liz Carroll. Piggott on the other hand, was a founder member of the sublime De Dannan and former band mate Ringo McDonagh turns up here with the accompanists, characteristically flailing a bodhran. Their playing is spry and crisp on jigs, forceful and driving on the marches, gloriously loose and languid on the slides. But then I suppose that’s what you expect when such master musicians get together. This is a sparkling stream of an album.   Simon Jones

The Living Tradition. July 2000
Right from the very  first tunes, James McMahon's jig and Paddy Mullin's jig, this recording sets off on a graceful and involving journey through some exceptionally fine sets of jigs, hornpipes, reels and waltzs, making time along the way for a couple of reflective slow airs. Charlie Piggott was one of the founder members of De Dannan, the first in a line of many gifted button box players to be associated over the years with this much admired band. Charlie also played and recorded with Miriam Collins and Joe Corcoran in the Lonely Stranded Band. Fiddle player, Gerry Harrington is from Kenmare, Co Kerry and early influences were the likes of Connie O'Connell and Denis McMahon. During the eighties he lived for some time in Chicago where he mixed and played with local musicians including Johnnie McGreevy and Liz Carroll. Accompanying Gerry and Charlie along the New Road on vaious tracks are, Sean O'Lionsigh on bouzouki, Johnny "Ringo"McDonagh on bodrhan and Eugene Kelly on piano. All the tracks are mention-worthy, but of particular merit are the set of marches, The Battle of Aughrim/Napoleon Crossing the Alps, the slow air, Lament for Lugh Darcy, and the reels, The New Road/ The Old Man's Blackthorn Stick.Although the material is mainly the emusic of the dance- jigs,reels and hornpipes- the style of performance is more revealing about the nature and the soul of the music and the musicians. The playing is from the heart of the tune, never hurried; never sold short, generous and good-humoured.  Peter Fairburn

Musical Traditions Web Magazine
If you are one of the very many who liked the 1986 Frankie Gavin and Paul Brock record, Ómós do Joe Cooley (Gael-Linn CEF CD115), then I think I can promise you that, like me, you will enjoy this present offering very much too.  Indeed, if you share my preference for music which sounds a bit 'old fashioned', you might find that you like this one even more. Both share the lure of wonderfully relaxed, easy, tuneful playing - with no technical flash evident - of a set of very pretty tunes.
My friend Ron Kavana, who I originally asked to review this CD, told me that I really should do it myself since the playing style would be so much the sort of thing that I enjoy.  How right he was!   Rod Stradling. 24.5.2000