About three years ago, I reviewed Meascán’s debut CD, notable among other things for a cracking version of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Factory’. This, then, is the band’s second album and is well up to the standard set by their last outing, similarly diverse in choice of material with Armenian folk songs and a cover of a Ricky Skaggs’ gospel song thrown in alongside stuff of more native provenance.

Meascán are talented musicians and singers, their craft honed by many years of gigging at festivals, in pubs, and other venues. For this record, they have augmented their line-up with flute and whistle player Mary Nugent, who can also, when called upon, throw in harmony and backing vocals. Her flute playing, in particular, helps to ‘fatten out’ the sound, and she invests the title set with great spirit altogether.

They take ‘The Bonny Lighthorseman’ at a faster pace than most of those who sing it, but it works, and the overall effect helps to sustain the album’s forward movement.

The Road To Rio is a thoughtful, well played album which can only help Meascán to move a couple of rungs up the ladder. Well worth a listen.