Gerry O’Connor  JOURNEYMAN  Lughnasa Music LUGCD962; 45 minutes; 2004   Journeyman, arrives as a welcome surprise, a much appreciated confirmation that O’Connor’s talents remain unsullied, and a reminder that the man remains one of Ireland’s premier fiddlers. Gerry’s fiddling incorporates both a tone immediately recognizable by its sheer plangency (in the ‘ringing’ and ‘resonant’ sense) and a bowing style whose flow at times seems unstoppable.   Commercially produced magazines, such as fRoots or Songlines, make great play of their annual awards. If Musical Traditions ever embarked on a similar scheme, there would be no doubt which CD would be accorded ‘the best Irish album of 2004’ – this one! ©Geoff Wallis