Silver Arm comes dangerously close to being a "chick band," with three of its five members being female. Susan Cross (fiddle), Cynthia Matyi (flute and concertina) and Katie Else (bodhran) are the voices of the band. But Stephen Matyi (bouzouki, banjo and guitar) and Tim Benson (uilleann pipes, whistles and flute) are certainly not pushed to the background just because they don't sing. Carla Dundes (oboe and whistle) and Mark Hellenberg (bodhran, dumbek and kanjira) add their talents to this recording.

The band has been touted as a premier Celtic band for more than 10 years, and with good reason. They are top-of-the-line musicians who put out top-of-the-line music.

Of the twelve tracks, eight are instrumental and showcase the smooth and easy grace that comes with making music together for many years. Two in particular stand out as favorites due in part to the uniqueness of the melodies. "Swedish Medley: Sol Polska/Magdalena Polska" brings to mind whirling dervishes, which sounds bizarre for a group of tunes from Sweden, but in listening, it's easy to imagine the long skirts and fast flying feet. The other, "Dogs Among the Bushes/Cronin's/Sergeant Early's Dream," is more like the tunes I expected to hear, but is not the ordinary Irish reel when the banjo jumps into the fray.

"Never Despair" seems an uplifting and hopeful title that fits right in with the resurgence of patriotism and unity we've experienced lately. From Irish jigs to sea shanties, Scottish ballads to Roumanian folk tunes, the album is as diverse as America herself and what better way to celebrate diversity than with music.

[ by Sheree Morrow ]
Rambles: 13 April 2002