Traditional Irish Music Played on the 5-String & Tenor Banjos

Right from the get-go on the opening set of reels (‘George White’s/Carracastle Lass’), there’s a lovely swing and lift to the music of Luke Coffey and Patrick ‘Paahto’ Cummins. This is an album of subtle contrasts: from the mellow, muted timbre of the five-string juxtaposed with the punchier, more defined timbre of the tenor, to the way in which the rock-solid rhythm of Paahto’s tenor-playing provides the anchor around which Coffey’s five-string seamlessly weaves in and out on the delightful set of hornpipes ‘Josephine Begley’s/The Clareman’s Fancy’. While melody reigns supreme here, at times both instruments briefly assume slightly more of an accompanying role with deft embellishments, understated strumming or by picking out compatible harmony notes. Other highlights include an exceptionally mellifluous (transposed) version of the reel ‘Maids of Mount Cisco’, plus an effervescent ‘Ballinafad Polka’, which appears to give an affectionate nod to the McDonagh Brothers.