Heir of the Dog New Folk Records***

Four decades living in New York haven’t sated James Keane’s taste for blistering tunes. A box player widely known for passionate playing, Keane’s latest collection sees him in more reflective mood. His characteristically spirited playing is tempered by restraint and a cool-headedness that sits easily with his intriguing tune selections. Arrangements are suitably spare, with guitar, bouzouki and bodhrán underscoring the dance origins of many of the tunes with fitting muscularity.

Éamon O'Leary's bouzouki is refreshingly subtle, particularly on the closing reel set, The Grand Spey. At times Kathleen Boyle's piano accompaniment lapses into predictable patterns that threaten to fix the music in aspic, but Keane's innate effervescence is the ultimate driving force. O'Carolan's Dream sees him delve deep into the tune to express its poignancy with piano and strings tiptoeing lightly beneath. newfolkrecords.com