Just Up the Hill is a collection of traditional and contemporary Irish tunes from the Vancouver, Washington-based quartet Talisman.

Talisman utilizes traditional instruments like whistles, guitars, fiddles and a hammered dulcimer to impart their versions of the old tunes. But the band also uses harmonies and the blending of their instruments to bring a different sound to the album, demonstrating that not all Celtic music bands or music sound alike.

On many of the sets, Talisman uses the typical ceili style of playing two or three tunes together. At times, the band mixes original pieces in with the traditional tunes making for nice mix in the music.

Just Up the Hill may not be the ideal CD to sit and join in like a normal session but, at over an hour long, it is a great CD for sitting back, listening and enjoying the music. This is a CD that any Irish music or hammered dulcimer fans will want to add to their collection.

by Sherrill Fulghum
Rambles.NET
30 September 2006