Traditional

The latest CD release reviewed

JERRY DOUGLAS & ALY BAIN
Transatlantic Sessions 3 Whirlie Records *** 

There's a certain, regrettable eurovision - or transatlantic - quality to this collection: although populated by some bravura contributions from Capercaillie's Karen Matheson, Julie Fowlis, Iris

de Ment, Darrell Scott and Bruce Molsky, it suffers from a chronic case of diplomatic inertia. A snapshot of collaborations fuelled by the BBC Scotland/BBC Four and RTÉ TV series of the same name, Transatlantic Sessions 3 falls all too readily into a somnolent soup of easy listening. It sacrifices the local colour of its accent to the altar of respectful co-operation, akin to the sin committed by too many radio DJs in their quest for über-cool credibility. A coalition of individual geniuses, ringed by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, balefully diluted by the idle search for an outcome infinitely greater than the sum of the parts. www.whirlierecords.co.uk   

Download tracks: Brother Wind,  The Blackest Crow

© 2008 The Irish Times