The Kane Sisters: Side by Side

THE KANE SISTERS: SIDE BY SIDE

Liz Kane: fiddle

Yvonne Kane: fiddle

Daithi Sproule: guitar

Mick Conneely: bouzouki

Patsy Broderick: piano

Nathan Pilatzke: dancing

While Liz and Yvonne Kane's third album won't necessarily appear at first to be breaking new ground--but who would want to complain about their delightful and ever so tasteful twin fiddle playing--there are a few notable differences with past releases which will be noticed by their fans. Perhaps the most obvious is the accompaniment, featuring three different instruments, all played most competently by well-known performers, thus giving to the album overall a more varied sound, as well as the step-dancing of Nathan Pilatzke. Pilatzke's name may not be as familiar to most, but his dancing, rooted in the style of step-dancing traditional to the Ottawa Valley, Canada, is something to behold. Those of us lucky enough to catch the Kanes on tour this past summer will not have forgotten Pilatzke's extraordinary display of boundless energy, and while it would be difficult to equal with just the sound of his shoes on the CD the memorable experience of seeing Pilatzke's arms and legs flying, his contribution to the "Thomond Bridge" track may make the listener want to search for his name on YouTube. Another, admittedly more subtle, departure for the Kanes here is the repertoire, which includes only a couple of Paddy Fahey tunes this time, and instead features quite a few compositions from both Paddy O'Briens (Tipperary and Offaly), Eileen O'Brien, Ed Reavy, and Liz Kane herself, showing another side of her talent, as well as traditional tunes reworked in the sisters' favorite tonalities. Over the years, Liz and Yvonne have developed an astonishing ability to play airs in perfect unison, and the haunting sound this creates can be heard here on "O'Rahilly's Grave" as well as the medley featuring the lovely melody "The Pretty Girl Milking her Cow." Once again, Liz and Yvonne Kane have produced a collection of the highest standard.

Rating: **** 1/2

Price: $19.99