Duach
Album: Duach
Label: Duach
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.duachmusic.com/

It is in the nature of things that modern practitioners of traditional music will-in order to make a living-multi-task with different bands and styles of music. Often, the results of their efforts can be heady and invigorating. So it is with this trio, who first came together as part of Damien Dempsey's band, and have seen service variously with Sharon Shannon, Slide, and many more along the way. This, their debut album, is a wondrous little nugget, full of good things spread throughout its eleven tracks, suggesting that they will become a force to be reckoned with in Ireland and beyond.

As to the music, it is an admixture of things, from punchy instrumentals to songs in the vernacular, each track-including three numbers recorded live in Switzerland offering an insight into individual and collective capabilities. With each play-and I have given it many spins since receipt-subtleties previously unheard reveal themselves, a harmony between fiddle and flute, a light wash of keyboards, a well-placed chord on guitar, and the odd bit of mischief emerges also. Such an instance is shown on The Hunter's Purse set which is lilted by Sean with mouth percussion from the others-God knows what they were at, but it worked!

Elsewhere, a beautiful rendition of John Sheahan's Among Friends-a halfway house between a planxty and a classical air, replete with multitracked strings and subtle keyboards, is a thing of real beauty. By way of contrast, a close harmony version of Oh Good Ale is a paean to hops and water and their alchemy, which, while it won't frighten The Voice Squad or The Watersons, is, maybe, how such songs should be sung. All throughout the album, which is going back in the car after this, there are things to marvel at, suggesting that repeat is the default setting. And why not, for it is a fine album, and will be right up there in the "best of's" at year's end.

Oliver P. Sweeney