Celtic music always sounds best played live. If there's any justice in the music industry, that basic truth should signal future success for Dervish, a sextet from Sligo, Ireland, currently embarked on its first U.S. tour.

Critics have compared Dervish favorably to premier Celtic talents like Altan, the Bothy Band and De Dannan. But Dervish has a flair distinctly its own, a style it's retained by keeping a tight hold on both the creative and production sides of the band's development. Dervish recently released its third album, Playing with Fire, the band's second release on its own Sligo-based label, Whirling Discs, and distributed in the States through New York-based Kells Music. The new album, following on the heels of the band's 1993 release, Harmony Hill, again proves that Dervish can capture the freshness and vibrancy of a live performance with a studio recording.

The band uses its own arrangements of traditional Irish tunes for this all-acoustic recording. Celtic music enthusiasts should take great pains to scout out a copy of this album -- and while they're at it, they should probably pick up a second copy for a friend.

It doesn't take much imagination to hear dancing feet, claps and shouts in the background as Dervish whirls through tireless instrumentals, such as the lively jig trio "The Wheels of the World" and the slide/jig set "Let Down the Blade." But the exuberance of a live concert is matched by the note-by-note precision of each member in the talented band.

Add into the mix the sweet-voiced Cathy Jordan, whose vocals are as smooth and rich as any Ireland has to offer. Singing in both English and Gaelic, Jordan lends her mellow voice to fewer than half of the album's 13 tracks. I'd miss her presence on the other eight numbers if it wasn't for the skill of her bandmates, who keep the energy moving at a fiery pace.

Instrumentation is provided by a talented crew, spotlighting in particular the musical dexterity of Shane Mitchell on accordian, Shane McAleer on fiddle and Liam Kelly on flute. Rounding out the full Irish sound are Michael Holmes on guitar and bouzouki, and the versatile Brian McDonagh on guitar, mandola, mandolin and bassola. McDonagh, who is also the band's producer and canny head of business, and Kelly also try their hand at occasional backing vocals, while Jordan lends a hand with the bodhran and bones.

The combination is tough to beat. With any luck, American audiences will be hearing a lot more from this spirited band.

Read an interview with singer Cathy Jordan and a live performance review as well.