Altan

28 years have aged Altan like a fine wine - robust and energetic as ever but smooth and comfortable together on stage. Perfect harmonies and timing whether on blistering fast jigs or deeply emotional ballads. Every member of the band is an artist and performer on their own and together, they are more than the sum of the parts.

They played a number of songs from their new album, recorded on Compass Records with Alison Brown and Gary West, who performed on the record and with them at this show. Gary solid bass provided a great anchor for the band and Alison took her turns burning up the stage with her incredible banjo playing. She stands not quite motionless but just tapping her foot a little while her left hand flies up and down the fretboard and her right hand produces a flurry of notes way beyond the movement you can see.

This was my second time seeing Alison and my third time seeing Altan - best performances from both. They earned the two standing ovations from the sold-out crowd at the Old Town School of Folk Music. It was thrilling to be there!