White Horse Sessions

This CD is a gem, revealing Nightnoise in a different light as they stretch out their considerable playing skills in this live recording. The tracks sparkle with energy and exhibit the musical cohesion possible only when a crew of seasoned veterans are at their creative peak. The music, often called a fusion of traditional Irish music, jazz, and chamber music, sounds refreshing and invigorating. The opening track, Silky Flanks, sets the stage with everyone kicking in great licks and solos (I especially like the flute and whistles of Brian Dunning). Shadow of Time rendered live loses nothing of its tenderness, and if anything, the vocals of Triona Ni Dhomhnaill are more sadly bittersweet here than on the studio CD bearing this name. Michael O'Dhomhnaill's gifted guitar anchors the whole session, and Johnny Cunningham play fiddle with abandoned restraint, that is, he provides a dose of flair when needed but does not lapse into the sort of prolonged, irritating solos many otherwise fine fiddlers fall prey to on live recordings.