This week's traditional CDs reviewed

BRIAN MCGRATH
Pure BanjoGael Linn ***

Slow-burning and modest, Brian McGrath's solo debut plays mostly by the rules, but occasionally infuses time-worn tunes with a visceral freshness. McGrath cut his teeth with Dervish, De Danann, the Seán Keane Band and At the Racket, and his style is at times too self-effacing, as if he's not used to bagging the limelight all for himself. But his inspired choice of accompanists, with Alec Finn on bouzouki, Arty McGlynn on guitar and Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh on tiptoeing bodhrán, brings a fizz to some of the arrangements. Blackthorn Hornpipeand The Morning Thrushare standouts. McGrath steers his banjo, an instrument as prone to imposing limits on a song as setting it free, through the undergrowth of each tune and noses out its richer, darker notes with impressive originality. www.gael-linn.ie

Download tracks: The Mist Covered Mountain, Mick O'Connor's Reels