...Born For Sport

Dublin-born fiddler Paul O’Shaughnessy and Belfast flute player Harry Bradley have both made critically lauded solo albums in addition to performing with high-profile bands like Altan. Their debut album as a duo was occasioned by an invitation to tour in Japan, and we can all be thankful that the opportunity arose: this is one of the finest recordings I’ve heard in years. Both musicians have a clean, uncluttered style and a powerful sense of rhythm that comes across particularly strongly on the unaccompanied tracks here (which constitute about half the album). That said, John Blake’s bouzouki adds a lovely, unobtrusive touch to the six numbers on which he appears. O’Shaughnessy is a fine flute player as well, and gets a chance to demonstrate his skill on two flute duets; both musicians also contribute solo numbers, and there are a couple of nifty harmony and low-octave overdubs here and there, notably on the closing set of barn dances.