THE IRISH TIMES THURSDAY APRIL 4, 2002

THE ROUGH DEAL STRINGBAND * * * *
The Rough Deal String Band
Claddagh Records


Banjo Bill Whelan has long been at the cutting edge of bluegrass music, luring the great and the good of the tradition to some of the best sessions this side of the Mississippi. His Rough Deal String Band have hidden their light under a bushel for far too long, but this, their second CD, should finally put a match to every bushel in sight. A veritable treasure trove of songs and tunes jostle for space among a 19-strong playlist. Tim Rogers's and Ben Keogh's vocals hit precisely those lonesome highs and lows that would win them favour with the Soggy Bottom Boys any 'ol time. Ensemble playing at its merged best-----savour Whelan's banjo on Yearlings In The Cornbrake and Rogers's low swinging fiddle on Lynchburg Town. Knee slappin' goodness.
Siobhán Long