Dirty Linen

Various artists - Sessions From the Hearth

We all know that Irish music is at its best live, thriving in the raw energy of a good session. Sessions From the Hearth, organized by guitarist Benny O'Carroll, proves this yet again in a set of 16 tracks recorded unrehearsed over two evenings at the National Folk Theater of Ireland in Tralee.

As a session recording, it stands along with classics like Music From Maft Molloy's or Paddy in the Smoke, but unlike those, most of the names on this recording will be unfamiliar to American ears. They include Malachy Bourke (fiddle). Fergal 0 Murchu (accordion), Enda Skahill (tenor banjo), Éamonn de Barra(flute), Timmy McCarthy (accordion), Neill Lyons (bodhran), and Jon Sanders (bouzouki). Two singers join the session. Sean Garvey gives a fine sean nos song, while Deirdre Scanlan provides two other songs, which rely more on a strong voice than a subtle appreciation for ornamentation.

Although much of the recording is made up of full-throttle ensemble playing, the musicians fit in solos for nearly everyone and some nice duets. This CD demon- strates the strength of the Irish musical tradition as it brings to the fore yet another generation of outstanding young musicians.  (BEB)