Millhouse Measures Claddagh Records****

Less is more is the motto of Raw Bar Collective's debut collection, a live album in the fullest sense, recorded in a Waterford pub. The collective is flute player Cónal Ó Gráda (contributing three highly evolved original tunes to the mix), fiddle player Dave Sheridan, and accordion player Benny McCarthy. There's a verve to a good live session that's rarely captured in recording, but they've bagged the beast here. Laser-sharp shafts of light illuminate everything from the barndance Chaffpool Postto Jackie Daly's vigorous polka Joe Burke's. There's a delightful clipped quality to the playing, each tune etched out with enough space for each musician to delve beneath its surface. Sean-nós singer Nell Ní Chrónín's diamond-cut vocals add a third dimension on two perfectly delivered songs and Colm Murphy's bodhrán adds a distinct backbone. See rawbar collective.com

Download tracks: Tivoli Capers, Esthers