Anyone who knows me knows that I have everything (at least the general releases) by Altan and I suppose in a way that nothing they do now surprises me. What I can say about the musicianship is that it is excellent as ever and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh's evocative tones prove exquisite even though I still admit (after all these years) that I can't get to grips with the Gaelic language. Still, I'm totally sold on the English songs including 'Adieu, My Lovely Nancy' with its beautiful accompaniment provided by Ciaran Curren, Mark Kelly, Daithi Sproule and Dermot Byrne. The addition of unobtrusive bass and percussion by guest musicians Stephen Cooney and Jim Higgins holds the listeners attention well and the breathy backing vocals lend the whole track an ethereal quality that would sit nicely alongside anything produced by Enya. The duelling fiddles of Ni Mhaonaigh and Ciaran Tourish when played in unison always prove a highlight of any Altan set to me and this is ably demonstrated on 'Tommy… more »

Anyone who knows me knows that I have everything (at least the general releases) by Altan and I suppose in a way that nothing they do now surprises me. What I can say about the musicianship is that it is excellent as ever and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh's evocative tones prove exquisite even though I still admit (after all these years) that I can't get to grips with the Gaelic language. Still, I'm totally sold on the English songs including 'Adieu, My Lovely Nancy' with its beautiful accompaniment provided by Ciaran Curren, Mark Kelly, Daithi Sproule and Dermot Byrne. The addition of unobtrusive bass and percussion by guest musicians Stephen Cooney and Jim Higgins holds the listeners attention well and the breathy backing vocals lend the whole track an ethereal quality that would sit nicely alongside anything produced by Enya. The duelling fiddles of Ni Mhaonaigh and Ciaran Tourish when played in unison always prove a highlight of any Altan set to me and this is ably demonstrated on 'Tommy Peoples/The Road To Cashel/The Repeal Of The Union/Richie's Reel'. Another guest, Carlos Nunez brings the charm of his Gaita to the melody 'Is The Big Man Within' before everything kicks in with the fiddle led 'Tilly Finn's Reel' driving along at a fair old pace. This is the kind of album that doesn't so much slap you in the face as gently caress your senses with a soothing, knowing quality and any self-respecting folk music lover should add it to their collection.

PETE FYFE