We’re lucky to live in a town that, despite its size and relative out-of-the-wayness, gathers more than its fair share of fantastic artists and musicians. Still though, Not often is our little hamlet graced by a performer widely acclaimed to be one of the finest in the world at their chosen craft. However on Tuesday the tenth the Irish Pub was fortunate to host a concert by a legend of Irish music Kevin Burke.

As those who were in attendance can attest It’s lovely to get the opportunity to see such a performer in a setting as intimate as a ticketed concert at the Pub (with Patrick guarding the door no less.)

As to the show itself: finest in the world is not an exaggeration. The clarity that he elicits from the fiddle is at once stunning and dramatic. His bow draws clear, unyielding tones that jump through the air with nary a buzz or warble. It is easy to imagine him playing a thousand takes and never sounding a flat or ill-timed note. Such virtuosity could be expected from a storied performer (with his very own biographical wikipedia page, trés célèbre) but as unrivaled as Kevin Burke may be in the realm of Irish fiddle music he is equally as gifted in the understated showmanship that he exhibited during the concert as his segues between tunes never failed to elicit the chuckle, sigh, or collective hush from the crowd that worked best to accompany the piece.

All in all, a great show by an eminently talented performer. Good for you if you got to check it out for yourself, if not, well, we can always put Kevin Burke on the p.a. at the Pub and let you imagine.

– Julian Levine