Latest releases reviewed

MARTIN MEEHAN
Three's Company
Claddagh
****
This is one of the most sensual odes to a musical instrument you'll encounter this side of Miles Davis's Tutu. Martin Meehan's Mancunian roots have served him well, earning him the early tutelage of Michael McGoldrick. Three's Company is a snapshot of a musician in thrall to the music. Meehan utterly re-invigorates a pair of slip jigs, An Phis Fhliuch and Na Ceannbháin Bána, the latter a triumphant example of how, as Derek Bell pithily put it, musicians can play with themselves, to startling effect. Swooping low and soaring high in between the notes, he lifts a workhorse of a tune onto another plane where only the truly fearless roam free. Judicious accompaniment from Arty McGlynn, Donnacha Moynihan, Tim Edey and Colm Gannon buffets but never overwhelms Meehan's sinuous playing. www.claddaghrecords.com