The Friel Sisters

Glaswegian siblings Anna, Sheila and Clare comfortably display their Donegal roots on this debut album. The Friels' intuitive, no-nonsense mix of flute, fiddle and pipes reflects a gene pool rich in Donegal songs, and shot through with a refined capacity to mine the finer points of a tune. Clare's fiddle, in particular, is a joy: unhurried, throaty and conversational in style, it cossets the lyrics of When My Love and I Parted with care and attention. The trio's ensemble playing is clear-headed and intimate, with an almost childlike quality informing the marriage of flute and tin whistle, particularly on the jig set headlined by Contentment Is Weary. (Clare's sparkling addition of harmonica on this same set is an ear-tickling joy.) Gearóid Ó Maonaigh and Griogair Labhruidh add unforced guitar, with judicious use of Seamus O'Kane's bodhrán on five tracks. frielmusic.com
Download track: When My Love and I Parted