Traditional

Colm O'Donnell: Farewell to Evening Dances (Bogfire Records)

Judging by this gentle, rough-hewn, down-homey album, I'm sure there have been a few late sessions in the Sligo farmhouse of this shepherd, sheepdog trainer and family man. A one-time all-Irelander and Comhaltas tour artist, his big lungs drive the weathered, marbly flute over long, rolling phrases, alongside some dainty whistling. Joined by keys and guitar, and the brother and father on flute and bodhran, he only occasionally slams "the wellie on the accelerator". Meanwhile, the sonorous nasal peaty voice taps nicely into familiar laments such as A Stor Mo Chroi to his own Begleyish Horses and Plough, saluting bygone youth and culture. He's a fine lilter too, carrying a tune by any means necessary.

- Mic Moroney

Various Artists: Holding Up Half the Sky: Voice of Celtic Women Volume Two (Shanachie)

Compiler Edward Haber has a superb ear for the ladies, and even though you can't go far wrong with Maighread or Triona ni Dhomhnaill, Cathy Jordan, Niamh Parsons or indeed Karan Casey, other choices are very keen: early Dolores Keane's beautiful Lowlands of Holland; Scotsy Ray Fisher's declamatory, whittled emotion; Susan McKeown's piercing Banks of Claudy; Francis Black with Arcady; Maire Ni Bhraonain unaccompanied; Mairead ni Mhaonaigh, fluting a lullaby from the Jug of Punch; Cathie Ryan's Lovely Willie; even Antoinette McKenna's Clannaddy groove with Sean Nua. Funked-up Talitha MacKenzie sends out a wrong signal, but as compilations go, this is tasteful and extremely instructive.

- Mic Moroney

More CDs reviewed in tomorrow's Weekend supplement.