Altan

Gleann Nimhe/The Poison Glen Compass Records****

The twin peaks of Dermot Byrne's accordion and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's voice andfiddle propel Altan into their 30th year. Byrne's plaintive, high-lonesome tones define the shape of The Blackest Crow, with Ní Mhaonaigh's beatific vocals drawing the sorrowful tale ever skywards. Instrumentally, Altan have never sounded better or tighter. They've invited Belfast flute player Harry Bradley to join the fray, and his jagged- edged style adds a refreshing sharpness to several tunes, in particular the opening pair of slip jigs headlined by A Fig for a Kiss.Jimmy Higgins guests on bodhrán, punctuating tunes with his customary subtlety. Altan's song choices are standouts in both Irish and English, and they commandeer the American ballad The Lily of the Westas if it was a Gweedore native. This is richly layered musicianship shot through with a verve. compass records.com

Download tracks: The Wheels of the World, The Lily of the West