Traditional

SIOBHÁN LONGreviews the traditional music pieces of the week...

Ályth

People Like Me

Navigator Records ***

Isle of Lewis singer Ályth McCormack cut her teeth with The Chieftains on tour, and has carved her own niche since her 2000 debut, An Iomall (The Edge). Her voice is pure, her repertoire eclectic. She effortlessly takes on long- established pillars of the Scottish singing tradition, such as Mo Ghaol Òigfhear A Chuil Duinn, and makes them her own, the voice threading through the lyric with grace and ease. Ályth's choice of Suzanne Vega's The Queen and the Soldieris refreshingly unexpected as well. Elsewhere, there's an ineffable MOR quality to the arrangements, with surging piano anaesthesiting the final, title track. At her best when arrangements are spare and subtle, Ályth could be on the brink of a crossover career. www.alyth.net

Download tracks: The Beautiful Lie, A Mhairead Òg

Munnelly

Tight Squeeze

It’s tempting to imagine that the excitement propelling this deliriously eclectic compendium might bear some kinship to the finest recordings of the great Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman back in the 1920s and 1930s. Mayo accordionist David Munnelly has been the driving force behind what could be called the E Street Band of traditional music. Mixing a raft of newly composed tunes by Munnelly and mandolinist/ fiddler/ tenor banjo player Paul Kelly with borrowings from Karine Polwart, John Martyn and La Bottine Souriante, Tight Squeeze captures the electricity of live performance with a gamey eye and mischievous ear. Munnelly thrives on rhythmic peculiarities that cross over into jazz-tinged celebrations with surprising ease. An apt companion piece for a band renowned for its spellbinding live sets. www.davidmunnelly.com

Download track: What Are You Waiting For?