It didn't take long for Deanta, which was an Irish revelation with its release of its self-titled debut album in 1993, to follow it up with Ready for the Storm in 1994.

The band lineup of this Co. Antrim band changed slightly in the intervening year. Still with the band are Mary Dillon on vocals, Katie O'Brien on fiddle and viola, Eoghan O'Brien on harp and guitar, and Clodagh Warnock on bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran and chimes. Flute and whistle player Paul Mullan is gone, however; stepping into his place is Deirdre Havlin, and Rosie Mulholland joins the group on fiddle and keyboards. For this recording, Dave Early supplies the percussion and Neil Martin adds cello and keyboards.

A change in personnel does nothing to weaken Deanta's sound. In fact, instrumental tracks -- including a mix of traditional, covered and self-penned tunes -- are stronger than ever. The Gaelic air "As Raibh Tu Ag An gCarraig," featuring Katie O'Brien on fiddle, is almost unspeakably lovely. Deirdre Havlin really makes her presence felt with her excellent flute-playing on "Hammy Hamilton's Jigs" and "Let the Hair Sit," the latter set of tunes written by Rosie Mulholland. Overall, the sets included here evoke the joy inherent in Irish dance tunes.

But still, it's Dillon's voice that defines Deanta, and she has lost none of her sweet, delicate strength.

The first song on Ready for the Storm is "The Lakes of Pontchartrain," a Creole love song often thought to be of Irish origins. I defy listeners not to get chills when she sings Alastair McDonald's despairing "Culloden's Harvest" over Eoghan O'Brien's weeping harp.

Cold the wind on the moors blow,
Warm the enemy's fire glow,
Black the harvest of Culloden,
Pain and fear and death grow.

"The Maid That Sold Her Barley" is, at least, much cheerier in mood! "Ready for the Storm," written by Scottish songwriter Dougie MacLean, and "The Benedy Glen" close out the album with wistful sadness.

Ready for the Storm is another excellent recording from a well-regarded but short-lived band.