Libertango
The gloriously unpredictable Irish accordion virtuoso, fiddler and bandleader returns with another remarkably varied set. She is accompanied by a consort of tried-and-true homies, such as her talented sister Mary, plus prominent guest stars. The tunes range from rhythmically robust yet minutely-crafted trad-arr extravaganzas to a neo-tango (with vocals by Kirsty McColl, no less) that made its way onto the album via Grace Jones and the late Argentinean composer/bandoneon master Astor Piazzolla. There is also a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Hogs And Heifers, a notorious NYC bar catering to bikers, frat boys and exhibitionists. However, Sinéad O'Connor's simple, ardent treatment of theThe Seven Rejoices Of Maryraises the tone, as doesAll The Ways You Wander, featuring the girlish, bell-like soprano of Pauline Scanlon.An Phailistindescribes the tragedy of the Palestinian people. Sung in Egyptian and Irish by Róisín Elsafty and her immigrant family, it is a genuine heartbreaker. --Christina Roden