Fir Na Keol

Heart's Quest is the brainchild of David Downes (oboe, cor anglais) and David Agnew (whistles, keyboards) augmented by whatever musical battalions they need from track to track. They operate in the Celtic New Age market somewhat west of Enya and claim to have sold 50,00 boxed sets of their work in Spain.

The misspelling of "ceol' in the title of their new album would suggest that commerce is higher on their agenda than authenticity, but despite that this is a tasty album that admirably blends several strands of contemporary Irish music. It's rather loosely based on the story of the flight of the Earls and varies so that each new track opening delivers a fresh and sparkling impression. 'Rodeo Reel' and 'Dance At The Crossroads' are spirited pastiches of Riverdance et al, with the former incorporating a nice bluegrass feel, and both replete with dancers making holes in the studio floor.

On 'The Voice Of Home' they almost stray into teen band territory, with the voices of Ann Myler and Peter Smith being particularly impressive, as they are on other tracks. The playing of both Agnew and Downes on the voice-free 'Atlantic Crossing' and 'Granuaile's Dance' is impeccable, with Tommy Hayes' bodhran adding much to the former.

'She Moved Through The Fair' is Clannad-lite and brings nothing new to the market but it's bound to appeal to any Seamus Foreigner in need of a Celtic fix.

Claims that Heart's Quest are bringing a whole new dimension to traditional Irish music are misleading and fanciful, but this is an impressively-produced and superbly-played mix of originals and 'trad arr.' material that makes Irish trad relevant to the contemporary market. That's no bad thing and these folk do it as well as anybody.