When the Day is on the Turn

Formed in December 2013, Edinburgh-based, Irish-Hungarian outfit Dallahan arrived on Scotland's live circuit with all cylinders firing. This is their first outing on record and serves as a fine introduction to a feisty group. Guitarist Jack Badcock was a finalist in 2014's BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award, fiddler Jani Lang was a victor in the Hungarian Traditional Music Competition and Ciaran Ryan a previous All Britain Champion, while button accordion is provided by 2013's BBC Young Traditional Musician Paddy Callaghan. Already, then, a prize-winning combination, Dallahan clearly have a promising future ahead, one underlined by a 12-song set that also features Jarlath Henderson on whistles and uilleann pipes.

It's a satisfying blend of old – the briskly executed ‘Carrick-a-Rede’ and bittersweet ‘Katy Dear’ – and new. Hungarian influences are subtly employed on the forlorn lament ‘The Chosen and the Few’ and in the distinctly Gypsy-edged twang of ‘The Burger Man.’ Strong, characterful playing from all concerned and a secure but lightly worn virtuosity add to the sense of a band beginning to flex its musical muscles to winning effect.