The Dear Little Isle

It has to be acknowledged that the standard of production on this album is atrocious, but my guess is that that’s just the way the Inishbofin Ceili Band like it. Listening to the echoing sound, the unbalanced mix and the sounds of tapping feet bleeding in through the microphones, you’d swear you were down in your local dance hall. Not surprisingly, lively jigs and reels predominate, with Patsy Broderick doing a particularly fine solo piano turn. Vocal contributions range from the inimitable Dessie O’Halloran quavering his way through the title track to sweet harmonies from Geraldine King and John Faulkner on ‘If I Were A Blackbird’. Check your high-fidelity prejudices at the door and you might find yourself enjoying this warm-spirited CD, rough edges and all.