It’s been a good few years since Dublin-born singer/guitarist Doyle, left the band Solas to pursue an independent career. Nevertheless, Wayward Son is only his second solo album.
As a guitarist, he has few equals, either as an accompanist or as a solo player. This is particularly evident on the four instrumental tracks here, two of which feature fine original tunes in a traditional idiom. Especially nifty is the jazzy ‘Expect The Unexpected’, played with fiddler Liz Carroll.
There’s also a traditional feel to Doyle’s sole original composition, ‘Bitter The Parting’. The track is a duet with the wonderful English singer Kate Rusby. Rusby’s lulling voice matches Doyle’s gentle, unpretentious singing, which comes across beautifully on ballads of both English and Irish origin. The impressive roster of guests also includes Linda Thompson, Tim O’Brien, Michael McGoldrick and Seamus Egan.