Traditional

Kevin Burke: In Concert (Green Linnet)

Kevin Burke: In Concert (Green Linnet)

After all the collaborations, it's nice to hear Burke solo before a quiet audience in Oregon, his home for 20 years. And though born in London, he's never lost the old-Sligo feel, with the mischievous lift to the note, the drawling stops, snap accelerations and lilting little figaries around Walsh's hornpipe, or the simple rounds of the lovely Yiddish Itzikel. He can suddenly teeter on a note, letting the tempo drift as in the draiocht of Tommy Potts's tune The Butterfly, often now associated with Martin Hayes. Hayes himself shies up for an ould duet (a very interesting marriage once they get settled), before letting Burke off on The Blackbird; a drowsy old craftsman that'll have you kissing the air.

Mic Moroney