Poor Man's Gambit is a lively trio from eastern Pennsylvania that boasts a clean, crisp, well-polished sound with strong vocals and imaginative instrumental arrangements.

Based in the Philadelphia area, Poor Man's Gambit is Corey Purcell (button accordion, cittern, bodhran, vocals), Deirdre Lockman (fiddle, vocals) and Federico Betti (guitar, fiddle). Land of Sunshine is their third album, although the first to land in my inbox.

I'm surprised I haven't run into them before, based on geographical proximity alone, but I was happy to have the chance to hear them briefly when their band and mine intersected at the inaugural Slainte festival at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I loved their sound there, and they ably reproduce that live energy on this studio recording.

The musicians are all skilled performers, and the album boasts a nice assortment of traditional and cover tracks, with some original music as well. The first song -- "The Rocky Road to Dublin," neatly blended with "The Butterfly" -- sets the stage for an even 10 tracks. Covers include Richard Thompson's "Bee's Wing," Ewan MacColl's "The Ballad of Accounting" and, oddly, John Lennon's "Imagine"; the latter track feels a bit out of place but the band gives it a nice instrumental setting, and it's a pleasant enough rendition.

Vocal and instrumental tracks are equally strong. Overall, it's a solid album that I've enjoyed playing on repeat from start to finish.

If you have a chance to see Poor Man's Gambit live, be sure to check them out. In the meantime, however, I heartily recommend visiting them in the Land of Sunshine.

[ visit Poor Man's Gambit online ]