Up In the Air

Recorded in Liam Clancy's studio in Ring, County Waterford, Ireland, Up in the Air is as close to a Sunday night session at the local pub as you can get without actually venturing outside. The packaging promises traditional Irish music solos played by the members of Danu, when in reality each track's soloist is accompanied tastefully by subtle guitars, bouzoukis, and accordions. All the bandmembers get a chance to strut their stuff, and the results are effortless wonders of instrumental and vocal prowess — the two beautiful tracks from singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh are definite highlights. Danu, like fellow natives Lunasa, are staunch purveyors of Celtic music played in an organic — yet still contemporary enough to win over the younger crowd — fashion. As a follow-up to the more song-based Road Less Traveled, Up in the Air is simple and celebratory, and an excellent primer for those new to the genre, while remaining a solid collection of pint-filling wonder for the already converted.