In Company

Back in 1980, this Rathmines native joined forces with bouzouki player and luthier Joe Foley to form a band called An Beal Bocht, which had a certain amount of success before fading out towards the end of the decade. Later, Foley and Walsh played the European festival circuit with the group Rattlin’ Strings. Having been on the scene for over 30 years, Walsh decided it was high time he made a solo CD, and this is the result. The musicianship isn’t quite pristine, particularly on the instrumental tracks played on banjo. The arrangements that balance Walsh’s mandola against Foley’s bouzouki are lovely, though, and he has a pleasant singing style that’s reminiscent of Andy Irvine, especially when he sings his fine original setting of ‘Bold Denis McCarthy’.