III

As you might guess from the title, this is the third album from Dublin-based traditional group Providence. There’s been a considerable changeover of personnel since the release of their last recording, 2001’s A Fig For A Kiss: only concertina/accordion player Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh and guitarist/bouzouki player Paul Doyle remain, now joined by Troy Bannon on flute and whistle, fiddler Michelle O'Brien, and Cyril O'Donoghue on vocals, bouzouki and guitar. All three melody players share a solid, steady, unpretentious approach, complemented nicely by bouzouki countermelody and chordal guitar backing. O'Donoghue's voice isn't as strong as that of former singer Joan McDermott, but works better with the overall band sound; his version of the poignant 'Bantry Girl's Lament' is particularly fine.