Some time ago I remember The Chieftains standing on their own two feet. Well, forgive me if I'm wrong but it seems they have to now fall back on '...and introducing our special guests...' For those of you looking for a backslapping CD then look no further. I don't mean to be cynical but let's face it when you have to rely on the Rolling Stones singing 'The Rocky Road To Dublin' or a none too clever version of 'I Know My Love' joined by The Corrs then the time has come to either re-invent the wheel or stick to what you're best at doing. Unfortunately Paddy even winds up sounding like the whistle player from The Spinners - and I'm sure that wasn't intentional. Still, there is the odd saving grace such as 'The Magdalene Laundries' with Joni Mitchell turning in one of my favourite performances on the album or even Sting who makes a passable stab at 'Mo Ghile Mear'. Oh how the mighty...

Pete Fyfe