An Dealg Óir – The Golden Thorn

Last year saw the publication of Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin’s exhaustively-researched book Songs Of A Hidden Ulster, together with two CDs featuring a cappella renditions of 54 songs. Now she’s selected 14 of those songs to present with accompaniment, courtesy of a varied line-up of musicians marshalled by producer Steve Cooney. He’s done a brilliant job of matching the arrangements to Ní Uallacháin’s honest, technically adept but always unpretentious singing: ‘Amhrán Na Craoibhe’ is given a complex treatment with an all-star cast consisting of Liam O’Flynn, Máire Bhreathnach, Odhrán Ó Casaide, Kíla’s Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Cooney himself, while ‘Is Fada An Lá’ sounds just right with solo piano backing from Pat Crowley, and other tracks use unadorned harp or guitar accompaniment. The extensive and informative sleeve notes whet the appetite for more, and should boost Ní Uallacháin’s book sales.