At First Light

At First Light

Two of today's top Celtic musicians join forces for an album that's both delightful and inventive. Mixing traditional and contemporary material with glorious ease, piper and whistler John McSherry and whistle and flute master Michael McGoldrick soar with the kind of breezy freshness that's all too often missing from Irish music these days. That's perhaps to be expected from people whose pedigrees include the likes of Lúnasa, Donal Lunny, and Afro Celt Sound System, but the pairing proves to be even more natural and joyful than anticipated, as the two push each other further on "Ornette's Trip to Belfast," for example, and caress the melody of "The Bloom of Youth." With some sprightly, sympathetic backing that never becomes overpowering, the two are left in the spotlight--and they shine perfectly. <I>--Chris Nickson</I>