This album is something of a summit meeting between two major powers in Irish music -- fiddler
Tommy Peoples
and flutist
Matt Molloy
, both veterans of the legendary
Bothy Band
and world-class instrumentalists. Guitarist
Paul Brady
plays a supporting role, though he steps out front to sing, beautifully, on the bitter
"Shamrock Shore."
Throughout most of the album,
Molloy
and
Peoples
take turns leading the trio through sets of traditional jigs and reels. Interestingly, the program includes a few session standards ("Speed the Plough," "Toss the Feathers," "The Connachtman's Rambles") but consists primarily of more obscure tunes.
solos on a set of reels consisting of "The Crosses of Annagh" and "McFadden's Handsome Daughter" and delivers them with his trademark offhanded eloquence;
shows off his sharp, astringent attack to perfect effect on "The Newport Lass" and "The Rambling Pitchfork." (Yes, "The Rambling Pitchfork." Don't ask where these tune names come from.) Inconsistent production quality is a minor annoyance throughout -- some tracks sound distant, cramped and monophonic, others sound close and dry. But it's only as minor annoyance. ~ Rick Anderson