RED CROW

This 1990 release nicely mixes reels, jigs, and songs from the Celtic group whose career was about to peak with 1992's Harvest Storm and 1993's Island Angel. The Red Crow resembles other Altan albums in energy and traditional music selections but stands out for its variety of guest accompanists, which includes pianist S´amus Quinn, mandolin player Niall Toner, and keyboardist M´ire Breathnach. In fact, "Mallaí Chroich Shlí" is one of those rare--perhaps only--cuts where ambient synthesizer appears on an Altan song--and tastefully at that. Other highlights include the lovely "Tommy Bhetty's Waltz" and "Inis Dhún Rámha," dominated by a bouncing acoustic guitar. Overall, there's a great variety of hardcore Altan fun here with a bit of New Age softness and folkie flavor thrown in. --Karen Karleski