REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

I don't know what it is about Jim McKillop; he doesn't just play tunes from other traditions, he sounds as if he's from those traditions. He really does have an understanding of the differences in styles, and treats the tunes with respect. On this, he plays tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Shetland, Canada, the States, as well as his own compositions.

There's a mix of tunes here, including more waltzes than you'd expect from a traditional Irish player. He even includes the waltz from Heaven's Gate; the only good thing about the film. The only track I didn't have much time for is the sugary American-Oirish The Isle of Innisfree. I've heard that too many times in the past to want to listen to it any more. But since it's played in memory of an old friend of McKillop's, I can forgive that. It's good to hear his version of Ashoken Farewell, though I doubt Jay Ungar would appreciate his name being mis-spelt. I guess the recording industry is as prone as The Guardian in that respect. Just to show I'm not a stick-in-the-mud iron-jawed traditionalist, I like his playing of the old Western swing tune, Faded Love. If a tune's got a good melody, it'll survive.

Throughout this, McKillop's fiddling is a treat, sensitive to the nuances of the tune but still passing the foot test. (If your feet don't tap, it's not played properly.) I was giving some tunes the full heel-and-toe treatment. Let's face it; someone who'd write a reel in memory of the great poitín maker, Mickey McIlhatton of The Glens, must have his heart in the right place. It's a fine reel too; another for me to learn when I get some talent. McKillop finishes the session with two great reels, Martin Wynne's and Miss Macleod's, in 'leave them wanting more' style.

Mick Furey