Sparks On Flags, No Disguise, The Natural Bridge

About 30 years or so ago I first saw the Bridge Céilí Band in Dublin's National Stadium and I thought that they were brilliant, form and energy coalescing in a marvellous full frontal sonic attack. Their new album - so aptly named - shows clearly that neither time nor the ageing process has dimmed their lights one whit as they steam through a 14-track collection which includes eight (yes, eight) sets of reels. The playing is superb, the tracks are mesmeric - so that when it skids to a halt with The Gravel Walks set, there's nothing for it but to hit the repeat button again.

Art O'Dufaigh is a well regarded singer-songwriter, who performs mostly as Gaelge, but on No Disguise, there are 9 songs in the English language. He has a nice line in lyrics of the ballad form, focusing on what I call 'signpost songs' - pieces which relate to major events in the life cycle - love, death, emigration etc. There are times when his voice is stretched, when the impact of his performance is rather less than it should be, but for all that No Disguise will find its fan base easily enough, because much of the material is of real quality.

Ben Lennon thought it would be a good idea to lock his friends and family into a pub and over two weekends bring in a mixing desk and record an album. If only the rest of us had such inspiration occasionally, the world would be a much better place!

The Natural Bridge, referring to a geological formation that links Leitrim and Fermanagh is a joyous, unfettered ramble through the music of that area, a conspiracy between friends where virtually every track is a classic. Asked to pick any three and I'd plump for 'Rattigan's Reel' with Maurice Lennon on viola, Gabriel McArdle's song 'Flora' - no, not the one about the margarine - and the penultimate set of reels.

If you get tired of the music - not really an option! - there's always the booklet to read, for rarely has an album or style been so well flagged in prose as this one. Great stuff.