There’s no doubting that Solas are one of the world’s finest Celtic groups, but while they’re obviously rooted in the tradition, they’re not afraid to take risks with material and generally do the unexpected – it may not be to the tastes of the hardline traditionalists, but for everyone else it gives their albums more variety and makes them great fun to listen to.
For the last decade or so, subtle line-up changes have lead to slightly different musical approaches, and on ‘For Love and Laughter’ the balance of traditional and contemporary seems just right – the fantastic traditional material sits comfortably with songs from artists such as Antje Duvekot and Rickie Lee Jones.
The new singer Máiréad Phelan has stepped into some big shoes with ease, she approaches the songs slightly differently, but it’s a change that has made the overall sound more accessible, and her delivery on the traditional ‘Seven Curses’ right through to Duvekot’s ‘Merry Go Round’ is compelling and utterly engaging.
What Solas do well is in achieving the balance between instrumental brilliance and enjoyment for the listener, it’s not a cold album that showcases the technical abilities of the musicians (although Seamus Egan is exceptional throughout), it’s just a collection of great songs and tunes that happen to be played by exceptionally gifted musicians.
Add the Duhks into the mix on a couple two tracks, as well as Natalie Haas and Dirk Powell and you have a star-studded group of some of the best acoustic musicians in the world!
If the thought of a Celtic album puts many off, then ‘For Love and Laughter’ may well be the disc to change your mind, it’s imaginative, accessible, enjoyable and great fun – the finest Celtic disc of the year.

Track listing
1 Eoin Bear's Reel/Tune For Sharon/The Rossa Reel
2 Seven Curses
3 Tilly’s Jig/The Happy Traveler
4 Molly na gCuach Ni Chuillean
5 Merry Go Round
6 Sunday's Waltz/Solo Double Oh
7 Vital Mental Medicine/The Pullet
8 Sailor Song
9 There is a Time
10 John Riordan's Heels/Hoban's White House/The Lisnagun Jig
11 The Gallant Hussar
12 My Dream of You

£12.99

Released 19th August, pre-orders now being taken for shipping on release