Dave Sheridan: Sheridan's Guesthouse

DAVE SHERIDAN: SHERIDAN'S GUESTHOUSE

Dave Sheridan: flute, accordion, low whistle, bass, keyboards

Conor Sheridan: vocals

Damien O'Brien, Brian Rooney, Padraig O'Neill: fiddles

Seamie O'Dowd: fiddle, guitar, bass

Oliver Loughlin: piano-accordion

Padraig McGovern: uilleann pipes

Sean Gilrane: flute

Brian McDonagh: mandola, percussion

Michael McCague: bouzouki

Kevin Brehoney: keyboards

Keith Kelly: bass

Neil Lyons, Liam Cryan, Junior Davey: bodhran

An excellent flute player and multi-instrumentalist from Co. Leitrim, Dave Sheridan released this delightful CD in 2006. Joined by a who's who of musicians from Sligo and further, Sheridan has put together a truly enjoyable collection of tracks, making each somewhat distinct from the others by shuffling the instrumentation a bit each time. Although Sheridan's flute playing is clearly the focus throughout, other lead players shine as well, for instance Padraig McGovern on pipes and Padraig O'Neill on fiddle, as well as Damien O'Brien and Oliver Loughlin who recently released an excellent duet album of their own. Sheridan's flute duet with his cousin Sean Gilrane, opening with a lovely tune composed by Gilrane, is one of many exciting moments here. Thanks to the many top-notch accompanists present, the arrangements are pleasantly varied as well, if at times a bit busy--as he is prone to do, ex-Dervish Seamie O'Dowd sometimes overreaches for new textures, but for the most part it works. Of the several Sheridan compositions featured on the album, the dance tunes are as catchy as any in the tradition, but I couldn't help finding his song "Our Beautiful Tradition" rather contrived, and an odd moment on the record. Skip it, and you will be hearing a most pleasing instrumental album.

Rating: *** 1/2

Price: $19.99