Tom Walsh has been a fixture on the Dublin traditional music scene for the past three decades, playing alongside bouzouki player and luthier guitarist Joe Foley in the bands An Beal Bocht and Rattlin’ Strings. Having released his debut solo album In Company in 2002, he’s now followed it up with Touch Wood, featuring Foley and guitarist Mark Lysaght alongside Walsh’s mandola, banjo, ‘guzouki’, harmonica and vocals.
At their best – notably on their magnificent rendition of ‘The Newry Highwayman’ – the trio calls up shades of the classic Andy Irvine/Paul Brady bouzouki/guitar combo, although it's unfortunate that a couple of the instrumental tracks are marred by inaccurate timing.