LASAIRFHIONA NI CHONAOLA: AN RAICIN ALAINN
Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola: vocals
Mac Dara O'Conaola: vocals
Maire Breatnach: fiddle, viola, piano
Mary Bergin: tinwhistle
Alex Barcelona: piano-accordion
Johnny McDonagh: bodhran
Pat Hargan: guitar
Paul Dooley: harp
Featured previously on a recording of Irish sacred songs called "Lights in the Dark," Aran Islands singer Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola has a lovely voice, with a nice low range I am especially fond of. On this self-produced CD she sings a selection of traditional sean-nos songs, including classics like "Bean Phaidin" and "Casadh an tSugain," and recent songs in Gaelic adapted from local poetry. Although there is accompaniment on most of the tracks, the arrangements are sparse and well performed by the like of Maire Breatnach, Mary Bergin, Paul Dooley, and Johnny McDonagh.
Rating: *** 1/2
Price: $21.99
Contents:
1. An Raicin Alainn (The Beautiful Comb)
2. Bean Phaidin (Paidin's Wife)
3. Caislean Gearr (Castlegar)
4. Casadh an tSugain (The Twisting of the Rope)
5. Oilean na Teiscinne (The Isle of Teiscinn)
6. Banrion Loch na Naomh (The Queen of Loch na Naomh)
7. Bimse Fein ag Iascaireacht (I Myself Go Fishing)
8. Tonnta Chonamara (The Waves of Connemara)
9. Amhran an Phuca (Song of the Pooka)
10. De Thaisme (Coincidence)
11. Ar Bruacha Na Laoi (On the Bnks of the Lee)
12. Una Bhan (Fair Una)
13. Inis Oirr in Inis Oirr (Inishere on Inishere)
14. Ceol na Gaoithe (Song of the Gale)
