What If a Day...

hey are not mutually exclusive; in fact, by Whirligig's standards, they're downright compatible. The union of traditional Celtic with late Renaissance and Baroque-period music has rarely seemed so logical as it does here. At the nucleus of this ensemble are classically trained twin sisters Fiona and Jennifer Cuthill. They are both proficient at recorders and violin, as well as responsible for many of the arrangements, giving this album a decidedly early-music quality with casual Celtic reminders. They are joined by virtuosos Anne Chaurand, on guitar and lute, and folk veteran/producer Steve Lawrence on bouzouki, mandolin, blarge (bouzouki large) and pipes. Overall, What If a Day is performed in a deliberate, recital-like manner. It is quite delicate in tone, with only a few flourishes of excitement ("The Pipers Three" and "Sanz Canarios"), but never without substance. This is a beautiful and intriguing recording. ~ Dave Sleger|