At The Waterfront, Belfast Horslips Records***
Twenty-nine years after their heyday, Horslips reunited for a series of successful concerts following the release of
Treasuryin 2009. Last year, they upped the amps with the Ulster Orchestra. The bare- knuckle ride of
Maeve's Courtworks beautifully with strings (arranged by Brian Byrne), and there's no doubting the compatibility of
Fantasia (My Lagan Love)and the magnificent
Sideways To The Sunwith their new-found lush settings, but the live performance that begot this collection also mires it in a time capsule that's impenetrable to listeners who weren't at the gig. Fusion was what Horslips did best: rock sensibilities invigorated traditional tunes, and in their wake emerged a generation of musicians willing to take chances like never before. This orchestral setting recalls a magical moment in time for Horslips, but for chutzpah and nostalgia
Treasuryand their back catalogue pull more punches. See horslips.ie.