July 20, 2010

by Jim Musser

This sublime quartet has been delivering quality traditional and original (yet in-the-tradition)
Celtic music to the region for the better part of a decade. Previous discs "I Shall" (2005)
and "Newry Town" (2007) were solid, straight-ahead entries of the form, and the brand-new "A
Soft Day" continues the band's steady upward arc in musicianship, varied, easy-rolling tracking
and overall dynamic range.

Boosted by grants from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, "A Soft
Day" is easily the group's best-sounding disc yet, offering crisp separation, a big, spacious feel
and immaculate presentation of the three diverse vocalists.

Guitarist Keith Reins has a pleasantly weathered, reedy voice; Brad Pouleson (mandolin,
whistles, uillean pipes) offers a clear tenor; and fiddler Tara Dutcher applies her lovely, bell-
toned voice to a pair of beauties; Joe Dutcher (bodhran) supplies steady rhythmic propulsion.

The ensemble playing is organic, buoyant and graceful; this melodic gem is recommended to all
fans of the genre.