Silvery Moon

Most performers get their start listening to records and catching bands at the local bar or stadium. Others, like the sons and daughters of performers, come by their musical heritage more naturally. One can't be terribly surprised when Aoife Clancy, the daughter of Bobby Clancy, joins Cherish the Ladies or releases a Celtic-influenced album like Silvery Moon. The album has a nice, crisp production, with acoustic guitars and pianos backing fiddles, mandolins, and Clancy's dynamic voice. The sound is carefully mixed, allowing the instruments to intermingle while still retaining the "plink" of each piano key on "Silvery Moon" and the deep bass of the cello on "Banks of the Sweet Primroses." Likewise, Clancy's vocals are always out front. There's a lovely a cappella take on "Across the Blue Mountains," with Julee Glaub and Aoife O'Donovan joining Clancy. The trio's version is one of those rare occasions when a timeworn piece receives a fresh treatment, leading the listener to hear the song with new ears. The last song is a surprise, with Bobby Clancy joining his daughter for "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine." This nod to the past on an album that mixes both tradition and contemporary sources ends Silvery Moon on the right note. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.