PROVIDENCE: A FIG FOR A KISS
Second CD by this rising Dublin-based band consisting of Clodagh Boylan (fiddle), Micheal O'Raghallaigh (concertina, accordion), John Wynne (flute, whistle), Paul Doyle (guitar, bouzouki, bodhran), and Joan McDermott (vocals). Like on their first album, the band's instrumental work is first-rate, perhaps stronger now with Boylan having replaced Meabh O'Hare on fiddle, and the selection of tunes has great variety. The closing track, recorded live during a Scottish tour, shows how tight their playing is even without the help of studio "magic." Although I must confess still not finding McDermott's singing to my liking, too breathy and somewhat strained in the upper range at times, she is an able singer and does a good job on songs like "Will Ye Go to Flanders?" and "The Jolly Young Ploughboy."
Rating: ****
Price: $22.99
