All Things Considered

Since the far-off golden era of Planxty, the Bothy Band, Clannad, De Danann and The Chieftains, despite the continuing interest in Irish trad, no acts have found comparable favour with commentators and public alike.

Altan and Dervish have come close, but of the newer breed Kila and Danu are perhaps the most likely contenders.

On this, Danu’s second album, and their first with recently recruited Donegal fiddler Oisin McAuley, the seven-piece combo apply their playful virtuosity to tunes old and new. In Ciaran O Galbhain Danu have a singer who can inject fire and passion into songs like ‘Bridget Donaghue’ and ‘Uncle Rat’ without sacrificing subtlety.

Elsewhere the band brings fire and zest to the playing of a thoughtful collection of jigs, reels and hornpipes, especially ‘Young Tom Ennis’ and ‘Paddy Killoran’s’. They can play fast without breaking the speed limit and slow and easy without becoming comotose. Noel Ryan’s guitar drives the uptempo tracks while his fills on songs like ‘Wee Lass On The Brae’ are exemplary, and the legendary Liam Clancy contributes his trademark vocals to ‘Easy And Free’.

But if ground-breaking innovation is your only man you won’t find it here. Instead you’ll get a sensitive handling of traditional ways and means, and a timely a reminder that you don’t always need that bank of synths or studio trickery to communicate real emotion. Just whatever they put in the pints in Mooney’s Pub.