Lake Effect

Chicagoans know the lake effect all too well. But the main effect it seems to have on Irish-American fiddler Liz Carroll is to get her to make some glorious music. These are all her compositions, and they showcase her exceptional talents as a player — although she's a good bandleader, too, judging from the way the small ensembles on the disc work together. While she can fiddle up a storm, she doesn't mind handing over the spotlight to John Doyle, whose work, guitar, and especially bouzouki are outstanding throughout. The set of "Catherine Kelly's/Lake Effect" is highlighted by bringing in the Turtle Island String Quartet on a gloriously delicate piece that wends deftly on beautiful melodies. Much of the rest, though carefully thought out, has the loose feel of the session about it, especially up-tempo pieces like "The Potato on the Door/Mary and the Tea Bag/Perpetual Check." And when Carroll reaches back for old tunes, which occur here and there, it's not with reverence, but smiling glee. A superior, delightful record.