Sessions

Singer/songwriter Martin Furey and his younger sister Aine Furey are a new generation of a long-respected Celtic folk-singing family, along the lines of Clannad or an Irish version of the Copper Family. Their debut as the duo Bohinta was recorded in bits and pieces over more than half a decade, but it doesn't sound piecemeal or slapped together. Martin Furey wrote all of the songs, many of which are reminiscent of Ashley Hutchings' post-Fairport Convention work, when the bassist was setting traditional-sounding folk tunes and lyrics in a rock & roll context. As a result, the haunting and extremely trad-sounding ballad "Bonnie Winds" fits perfectly next to the nervous, percussive art-folk "Fortsong" simply by virtue of the two superficially dissimilar songs being rooted in the same traditions. Although Martin Furey is a fine singer, the real star of the album is Aine Furey, whose rich, mellifluous voice recalls both June Tabor and Linda Thompson at points.