I've encountered a few remarkable cellists in the broader world of Celtic music, and I've often been impressed in the way they blended their atypical instrument into the style. The harp, of course, has long been a mainstay of the genre. But combining those two instruments -- just harp and cello, nothing else -- is new to me, and I approached this recording with some hesitation.

Unnecessarily so. Lily Neill and Vesa Norilo are both masters of their craft, and they unite the two instruments in a glorious sonic duet on their first album together, Tales & Golden Histories.

According to the press materials provided with the CD, Neill and Norilo first met and played together in 2005. Why it has taken them 18 years to record an album together is beyond my understanding!

It would be a disservice to refer to Tales as a purely Celtic album. Although joyful melodies from Ireland and Scotland dominate the majority of tracks, the duo also draw in music from other traditions, including Swedish, Finnish and Breton, as well as a couple of original tunes.

It's all quite beautiful. I've had this album on repeat for several days and I love the intricate pairing of these delightful string instruments. Neill and Norilo complement each other's playing with a great deal of variety, sensitivity and skill, and I cannot recommend this album highly enough.

[ visit Lily Neill's website ]