Len Graham & Brían Ó hAirt: In Two Minds

Anyone who figures they've cracked the essence of sean nós might do well to savour the hairpin bends that shape this vigorous and invigorating collection. Armagh singer Len Graham is no stranger to lateral-thinking collaborations, but here he embarks on a jaunt of an altogether different nature, saddling up with Brían Ó hAirt (the first American to win the senior sean nós competition at Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann). The pair intersperse solos and duets with a suitably spare infusion of whistle, spoons and sean nós dance steps. Ó hAirt's voice is curiously ageless, melding effortlessly with Graham's, the two singers' phrasing in such close concert that one would assume they were blood relations. For listeners and singers with a yen for seeing the familiar through a sparkling new, spit-polished lens, In Two Minds should be in pole position on any playlist. storyandsong.com