The first strains of Cillian Vallely's uilleann pipes evoke the same wistful, melancholy feeling as, perhaps, the soundtrack of Rob Roy or Braveheart. But then the rest of the band kicks in to let you know this is a full-sounding, energetic Celtic band. And then the brass....

Wait a tic ... brass?

Yup. Whirligig isn't content to be an ordinary American-Celtic band; they've pumped up their sound with strains of big-band soul. Take the first track, "Favorite Sharks," which passes the wand from Vallely to Lisa Gutkin on fiddle. Backing Gutkin are the usual sorts of things you'd expect in a Celtic band, including Greg Anderson on bouzouki and Paul Kovit on mandolin and guitar. You can't help but take notice, however, when Matt Dariau trades his flute for a soprano saxophone and guest Rob Henke chimes in on trumpet and alto horn. If that's not enough, pay heed to guest Steve Holloway, a one-man percussion section with drums, congas, djembe, bodhrans, roto-toms, shakers, string drum and -- get this -- the studio door.

Whirligig's album Spin is billed as a fusion of Celtic, world and jazz musical styles. That's a lot to handle well in one album -- but these New York musicians have done it, and done it well. This isn't the first time I've heard brass instruments used in Celtic-style music (Canada's La Bottine Souriante is particularly adept at its own brand of "Celtic Dixieland"), but Whirligig has done a better job than most.

They certainly take the full-sound approach to music. Besides the aforementioned Vallely (uilleann pipes, whistle, low whistle), Gutkin (fiddle, baritone violin), Anderson )bouzouki, cittern, piano, bass, mandolin, guitar, organ, harmony vocals), Kovit (guitar, mandolin, cittern, harmony vocals) and Darriau (flute, clarinet, soprano sax, kaval, whistle, low whistle, bass accordion), Whirligig is Yves Duboin (soprano sax, flute) and Lisa Moscatiello (vocals, guitar, mandolin). If that's not enough, the album includes guests Henke (trumpet, alto horn), Holloway (drums, percussion), Jerry O'Sullivan (uilleann pipes), Brendan Dolan (piano), Eamon O'Leary (guitar), Susan McKeown (harmony vocals), Terre Roche (harmony vocals), Eilis Egan (button accordion), Catherine Bent (cello), Tom Zajac (renaissance bagpipes, sackbut) and Zach Lester (bodhran).

Not, mind you, that they all play on the same tunes, but still....

Lisa Moscatiello has a beautiful, melodious voice which sweeps you away on each vocal track. Her best showing is perhaps on the uplifting Susan McKeown song "Through the Bitter Frost and Snow" (for which McKeown, among others, joins her on harmony vocals). The singer carries the track, but the underscore of fiddle, baritone violin and cello really added flavor. The song flows sweetly from "Gregorian Chant," a beautiful solo for Duboin on the soprano sax.

"A Fair Maid Walking" is an Irish traditional song with an unusually forgiving protagonist. The tale centers around a woman who's pledged to a sailor who has been at sea for seven years. A young man (her lover in disguise, of course) tries to tempt her away from waiting for him by suggesting the sailor has died or married another. While many songs of this sort end in bloodshed, when the lady tracks down her lost love and shoots both him and his bride, this maid is passive: "And if he's married, I wish him happy / And if he's dead, then I wish him rest / No other young man shall e'er enjoy me / For he's the one that I love the best." (Personally, I think she recognized her beau and was just playing along.) There's some notable instrumentation here, too, including soprano sax and clarinet.

Moscatiello also gives good service to traditional love ballads "The Nobleman's Wedding" and "The Constant Lovers." (In the tradition of true Irish love ballads, they're sad.) The efferverscent "Mood Vertigo" was written by Kovit after buying a home in Ulster County, N.Y.; the tune sounds distinctly Russian to my ear. "Wink" blends traditional and original instrumentals into a jazzy mix. In case you're wondering if they can hold their own in a straightforward Celtic arrangement, check out "The Abbey Reels," a set of four tunes (including one by Gutkin) which shows the band's prowess as a traditional session-style band.

The CD ends with "Revolution Earth," a strong finisher which I would never have guessed was arranged from an original song by the B-52s. I can only guess the B-52s never imagined hearing their song played with the uilleann pipes, renaissance bagpipes or sackbut. There is an ethereal fiddle line through the middle and tight support from the usual crowd of musicians. Of course, Moscatiello carries the vocals with exceptional style.

If you're looking solely for Irish traditional performances, this isn't for you. If you enjoy clever, well-arranged music that's not afraid to experiment along the way, pick up Spin by Whirligig and enjoy the ride.