Castlebay -- New England musicians Julia Lane on Celtic harp and voice, and Fred Gosbee on violin, viola, woodwinds, guitar and voice -- has been around since 1986. Their Tapestry series of CDs began in 1999 with Ladies and ended eight years later with Banks & Braes; this, Cottage & Castle, is the third in the series.

In keeping with the theme, the tunes included here have a "cottage and castle" connection. Titles, for instance, include ""Coilsfield House," "Carolan's Cottage," "Dumfries House," "Castle Kelly/Drummond Castle" and "Little House Under the Hill." A couple of the tunes are Lane originals.

The recording is fairly mellow, although that by no means equates with dull. The arrangements are sometimes slow and thoughtful, at other times sprightly and danceable. In all instances, the music is well performed, serving listeners well whether it's turned up and in the forefront or down and playing in the background.

This is a good, all-purpose disc of laid-back Celtic music. Wordless vocals behind the instruments at times add an ethereal quality to the sound.

Besides Lane and Gosbee, the album includes several guest musicians: Patrick Boyle-Wight on flute, Doreen Conboy on cello and Forrest Dillon on harpsichord.

For anyone who's curious, Castlebay appears to still be performing together, and they've released numerous CDs besides the half dozen in the Tapestry series. Check out their website for more information on this long-lived Maine-based duo.

[ visit Castlebay online ]