The bothy band remains the yardstick against which all "modern irish" trad music is measured and this album, recorded live in Paris in 1978, has not dated by one second - compare with the current masters Altan, Lunasa, Dervish and Danu. Marvellous tunes played with flair and abandon, gorgeous songs superbly sung, all imaginatively arranged. Listen to pipes (Keenan), fiddle (Burke) and flute (Molloy) mesh together in Kid on the Mountain, Farewell to Erin or The Priest - each instrument taking turns in the limelight then dissolving into the Bothy wall of sound. Donal Lunny's bouzouki is inspired, driving the band on irresistably and the O'Domhnaill siblings give marvellous renditions of Casadhan Tsugain, The Death of Queen Jane and How Can I Live, Triona's keyboards (revolutionary in their day) are particularly effective, especially on Green Groves of Erin. perfection from first bar to last fading moments and dying applause. Like a good guinness, it just leaves you thirsty for more.
