In Retrospect No label ***
Traditional music denuded of personality is a lonesome effigy, a meaningless cipher. The mark of a real musician, whatever his or her leaning, is the ability to bring fresh perspectives to the most timeworn forms, and that’s where Kerry box player and radio presenter Danny O’Mahony shimmies into the spotlight with chutzpah. His playing style is open-hearted, abundant in personality and shot through with a raw-boned honesty that comes from years of swapping tunes in sessions, snugs and summer schools. Cyril O’Donoghue’s bouzouki accompaniment is subtle and seamless, affording O’Mahony the latitude to inhabit his carefully chosen repertoire with freewheeling agility. Amid many inventive tune selections are gemstones borrowed from John Dwyer, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Vincent Broderick. In Retrospect is dance music for dancer and armchair listener alike. See dannyomahony.com