LIZ CARROLL & JOHN DOYLE – Double Play (Compass Records 7 4502 2)

Don’t you just love it when, from the opening track of a recording you know you are going to experience something really special? Of course it helps if your names are Liz Carroll and John Doyle both of whom (to my knowledge) have neither released a duff album in either their solo or collective careers. Not only prolific tune writers in the traditional style including amongst others “Before The Storm” and “Ricky’s White Face” both Carroll and Doyle have an empathy musically that will stop you dead in your tracks as you wonder at the beauty of it all. Whether your preference is for the driving melodies “The Chandelier/Anne Lacey’s” or the subtler moments of “Lament For Tommy Makem” and “Nearby, Long Ago” the consummate skills of both performers will lift your spirits to a new level of appreciation for all things acoustic. As if that weren’t enough, the listener is treated to John’s honey-toned vocals on a selection of great songs including Ed Pickford’s seemingly timeless anthem “A Pound A Week Rise” and the gentle, funky guitar set-up employed on “The Hare’s Lament”. What else can I say…buy, chill out and enjoy! By the way, I’d like to say congratulations to all at Compass Records on waving the banner for Celtic music. Check out their phenomenal website at the link below.

PETE FYFE

Artist website: www.compassrecords.com