Andy Irvine and Paul Brady

This is a disarmingly simple but enchanting collection of songs sung by two of the most expressive singers from the modern Irish folk tradition and using an unusual array of acoustic musical instruments (cittern, harmonium, bouzouki). The contributions of Donal Lunny and fiddler Kevin Burke added to the sense that you were listening to something special. Brady’s interpretation of the anti-recruiting song ‘Arthur McBride’ is the supreme version of that song and directly inspired Dylan, an admirer of Brady, to tackle it on his 1992 album Good As I Been To You. For his part Irvine brings a rich charm to ‘Plains Of Kildare’. A masterpiece of miniatures.

No 27 in 2009, as voted for by over 200 Irish musicians. Down from No 21 in 2004.