I listened to this CD for the first time in almost 2 years and again its simple beauty left me a bit overwhelmed. I always liked it but I guess my ability to appreciate it has grown. Tommy and Jackie play very tightly, and Jackie’s late father Tommy McCarthy played some concertina for this recording, too. Alec Finn’s bouzouki playing is subtle and quiet, and never interferes with the melody line. A real shimmering beauty, this CD.
If you like real irish music but don’t have this one, get it.
I lifted their setting of The Repeal of the Union from that CD, and I’ll listen to Tommy’s playing of the air An Caisdeach Bán and keep hitting the repeat button. Haunting.
Chiming in to agree on this record. In addition to the apt compliments already conveyed, I’d also award several stars for the unusual settings and old tunes in some sets. I assume that some of these come from Jackie’s Da, but maybe Tommy K had some unusual sources as well?