Mick Coyne: Both Sides of the Coyne

MICK COYNE: BOTH SIDES OF THE COYNE

Mick Coyne: uilleann pipes, vocals

Eamon Coyne: fiddle, vocals

Terry Coyne: flute, vocals

Desi Wilkinson: flute, vocals

Liam Lewis: fiddle

Dermot Lernahan: accordion

Frank Cullen: mandolin

Phil and Sarah Callery: vocals

Maurice Coyle: guitar

Graham Dunne: guitar

Noreen O'Donoghue: piano

Steve White: Percussion

Mick Coyne is one of the talented Coynes of Liverpool--his father Eamon Sr. played fiddle with the Liverpool Ceili Band, and his brothers Eamon and Terry also appear on the album. Also a flute and whistle player and singer, Mick is a highly skilled piper who emulates the extremely tight (staccato) playing of his former mentor Andy Conroy. His playing of "The Flogging Reel" will leave you gasping for air. The material on this album is quite a mixed bag, from traditional dance tunes to Coyne's own compositions and newish instrumental pieces like the Whelan-Lunny tune "Timedance," with a set of Breton tunes and a few songs thrown in, including a lovely a capella rendition of "The Flowers of Magherally" with vocal harmonies by Sarah Callery. The song "Down Our Street," with boisterous choruses by Mick's brothers and Phil Callery, is very entertaining. Coyne now lives in Ennis, Co. Clare, and he is joined on the album by several members of the band Fisherstreet, particularly guitar player Maurice Coyle who provides most of the accompaniments. Galway fiddle player Liam Lewis and Cran flute player Desi Wilkinson also appear on a set of Breton dance tunes. The three Coynes close the album in ceili band fashion with a rousing set of marches.

Rating: *** 1/2

Price: $24.99