Lost In The Loop" is Liz's first solo recording in over a decade, and the title reflects her
deep affection for her hometown. Produced by Solas wizard Seamus Egan, it features members from both Solas and Altan, as well
as other stellar guests.
"Nothing
less than breathtaking!" - Earle Hitchner, The Irish Echo
Born and raised in Chicago of Irish immigrant parents, Liz Carroll is the greatest jewel to emerge from the cultural reawakening
of the Chicago Irish community in the 1960's. As a young girl she first began Irish stepdancing, and started picking up her
father's three-row accordion.
When Sister Francine held a violin class at Liz's grade school,
she became inspired to play what was to become her signature instrument. With help from the local Irish Traditional Musician's
Association, Liz began studying and playing alongside masters like Mayo piper Joe Shannon and fiddler John McGreevy.
Composing came naturally to the precocious youngster, and
Liz vividly recalls the epiphany of beginning to compose her own music at the tender age of nine. "A melody came to
me that didn't exist anywhere else…this felt very special - different from learning a tune, varying one, or hearing
one for the first time". In 1975, while still just a teenager, a legend was borne as Liz became only the second American
to win the coveted All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Championship. She would later become the original fiddler for Cherish
the Ladies, be a featured performer with Green Fields of America, and found the critically acclaimed trio
Trian, with All-Ireland champion Billy McComiskey on accordion and Daithi Sproule of Altan on
guitar/vocals.
Liz's recordings are available on Green Linnet Records.
In spite of her innumerable accomplishments and worldwide
acclaim, since the late 80's Liz has chosen to remain close to her home in Chicago, forsaking the spotlight of worldwide concert
tours and frequent recordings in favor of raising her family. Nevertheless, her star continued to rise further throughout
the 90's as she became recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the foremost composers of her generation. Her mammoth
contributions to Irish music were recognized in 1994 when she was awarded a prestigious National Heritage Fellowship
from the National Endowment for the Arts, which is America's highest award for a Folk artist.
A further, and more personal, accolade was bestowed on Liz
at the Chicago Irish Festival on September 18, 1999 when, in a special ceremony, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley recognized Liz's
contributions to the city's cultural life by officially proclaimed the date "Liz Carroll Day". The Chicago Irish
American News recently cited her "Female Musician of the Decade".
John Doyle has
established himself at a very young age as the most dynamic and influential guitarist of his generation.
A native of Dublin, John emigrated to New York City a decade
ago, and while still a teenager, joined the ground-breaking group Chanting House, which also featured future legends
Seamus Egan and Eileen Ivers.
Immediately taking the metropolitan area by storm, in short
order John found himself the most sought after accompanist in the country. An exponent of the "Drop-D" style tuning,
his unique, percussive style, combined with his innovative use of an unusually heavy sixth string, has resulted in critics
marveling at what they simultaneously describe as a rhythm, bass and percussion section all rolled into one. In 1995
he reunited with Seamus Egan to become the rhythmic genius behind Solas, which was instantly hailed as the greatest
Irish traditional band to ever emerge from North America. Their first three albums have received unparalleled acclaim, each
one winning the NAIRD award as Traditional Album(s) of the Year.
In spite of his hectic Solas schedule, John is a ubiquitous
recording guest, and still manages to find time to instruct, with a highly successful video also to his credit. He is currently
working on his first solo album, expected to be released in the fall.
