AINE UI LAOITHE & EILIN NI CHEARNA: MNA AN OILEAIN
Aine Ui Laoithe: vocals, accordion
Eilin Ni Chearna: vocals, bodhran
Aina Davis: fiddle, viola
Vinnie Kilduff: tinwhistle
Brid Donnelly: flute
Jon Sanders: guitar, bouzouki, keyboards
The two women featured on this album perform a selection of songs and tunes associated with the tradition of the Blasket Islands, one which is kept alive despite the fact that the islands had to be evacuated in 1953. Certainly, on the strength of the performances recorded here, that tradition sounds well and alive. The two singers have rich, powerful voices and deliver beautiful renditions of sean-nos classics like "Binsin Luachra" or "The Boys of Barr na Sraide." In addition, Aine Ui Laoithe handles the accordion quite well, and leads on a few instrumental tracks, with help from Vinnie Kilduff (tinwhistle) among others. She brings the album to a close with a solo rendition of the haunting air "Port na bPucai" which echoes the tone of melancholy felt throughout.
Rating: *** 1/2
Price: $24.99
Contents:
1. Binsin Luachra
2. Jigs: G.C.G.
3. Lowlands of Holland
4. The Boys of Barr na Sraide
5. Polkas: Bleaist on mBlascaod
6. Oiche Nollag
7. Reels: The Jigger / Mary Liddy's / Chattering Magpie
8. Ceaiti
9. An Spealadoir
10. The Rocks of Bawn
11. Rechnoc Mna Duibhe
12. Slides: An Trian / An Inniuin / Faill Mor
13. Inion an Fhaoit' on nGleann
14. Port na bPucai
