A Couple More Years

Recorded live at the Cobblestone in Smithfield, A Couple More Years sees two of Ireland's most talented folk singers share the same stage. They have been doing so with increasing regularity in recent years, ever since Eleanor (then with De Danann) duetted with the bearded one on 'Boots Of Spanish Leather' for the Dubliners' 30 Years A-Greying album.

What at first seems an unlikely collaboration actually works extremely well. Rather than act as a counter-foil, the two voices complement each other to sometimes breathtaking effect, as on the bittersweet title track.

First up, there's a poignant run through 'Boots Of Spanish Leather'. Then they combine Dylan's 'Restless Farewell', delivered in Eleanor's sweet and soulful tones, with its inspiration, 'Parting Glass', the traditional folk song that moved His Bobness to put pen to paper.

Just as notable is a rousing rendition of Christy Moore's classic 'Viva La Quinte Brigada' or the wonderful 'Brian Og And Mollie Ban', with Ronnie and Eleanor trading verses to humorous and moving effect.

As if that wasn't enough, you have the quintessential Dub's various and hilarious stories, painting vivid pictures of, among other events, meeting Patrick Kavanagh in a Dublin pub in 1963, and Barney McKenna trying to drive an automatic car through the streets of Derry while under the influence.

Sounds like a wild night altogether in Smithfield.