Labhras O Cadhla: Amhrain O Shliabh gCua (RTE)
By Mic Moroney
`Above any singer I ever heard, I took most interest in Labhras' singing," said Seamus Ennis at one stage, so whisht now and listen into this extraordinary, long-dead singer (1889-1961) recorded by Ennis in 1948 and Ciaran MacMahuna during the 1957 Dungarvan Fleadh. O Cadhla hailed from a former Gaeltacht near Cappoquin, and sings many proud Padraig O MilAeadha songs; wise old folderol humours; and hark the cross-rhythm diddles of his lilted double jig. There's a noble Sliabh na mBan from 1928, recorded by Dr Wilhelm Doegen of Berlin's Prussian City Library. That was dug out of the Royal Irish Academy, whose anthropological endeavours on this island never cease to amaze me.
Various Artists: Voices of the Real World (Real World)
By Mic Moroney
There can be a lot of distracting studio weirdness behind Real World's stuff, but for its 10th anniversary, Peter Gabriel and his bat-woman Amanda Jones have expertly navigated the back catalogue to mine these soaring world voices: Iarla O Lionaird's heart-catching Aililu na Gamhna; the out-there alien-harmonics growl-whistling of the Tumingian throat-singers; sad, melodious African voices with tribal woes and welcomes; the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; Sheila Chandra's talking drum gob music; Georgian choirs; the angry religion of the Holmes Brothers' I want Jesus to walk with me - it goes on and on, segueing from one to the other in a truly exquisite edit. A pure treasure.
Scullion: Eyelids into Snow A Collection (Hummingbird)
By Joe Breen
Can it really be 21 years since Scullion first cast their intricate harmonies and finely-crafted songs before the Irish public? The years have taken their toll somewhat, but many of these songs and performances wear their age well. The mainstays of the band, Sonny Condell and Philip King, continue to perform in one guise or another; occasionally putting on the Scullion cloak for another crack at songs such as the infernally catchy Carol, the propulsive Down in the City or King's distinctive version of John Martyn's John the Baptist. Granted, Scullion could be overly intense, even precious at times. Yet Condell and King, along with various partners such as Greg Boland and later Robbie Overson, created a sound very much their own, a melodic, thoughtful melange of folk and soft rock. No small achievement.
Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen (Rounder)
By Joe Breen
This band comes with such a strong combined pedigree in the country/bluegrass field that the understated mood of this, their second album, must be intentional. Certainly, though there is no shortage of zing in the rippling guitar solos and other instrumental breaks, this is a record by a bunch of guys who know they have little to prove. That pedigree includes seminal names like the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers and Linda Ronstadt, so perhaps it is not surprising that Chris Hillman and friends are content to let this quietly accomplished collection of bluegrass, traditional and original, state its charms with a minimum of fuss. The result is an album of discreet charm and no little grace, though one markedly short of grit.