Before we change our mind

"Beoga hail from Country Antrim in Northern Ireland, and since forming in 2002, they've recorded a consistently enjoyable series of four studio albums. Their fifth, Before We Change Our Mind, is their first studio release for five years ... Beoga ('lively' in Irish Gaelic) write and play music that follows a traditional path, but happily diverts along routes that bring the likes of Danu and Michael McGoldrick into view ... the pace and precision of Niamh Dunne's extensive experience as a fiddler, the latest release also features her vocals on four songs, the first of which should be familiar to most listeners - The Bonny Ship, The Diamond. Driven along at a steady pace, Niamh's vocals do wonderful justice to the much-loved song, as do the harmonies provided by her fiddle. Tommy Makem's Farewell to Carlingford opens with Graham's guitar (which he also wields impressively as a member of Fiddler's Bid). As the singer's love of the sea becomes more emphatic the depth added byArcoString Quartet and layers of vocal in the chorus contrast perfectly with the lighter phases, proving that the classics are always worth re-visiting. Like A Dime, by New York singer-songwriter Eamon O'Leary, proves it's just as productive to move away from the tradition too. With Niamh's vocal complimented by Graham's softly picked guitar, gently augmented by strings (beautifully arranged by producer Michael Keeney), brushed percussion, and backing vocals courtesy of Stephen McCartney and Rachael Coulter. The song perfectly showcases Beoga's ability to adapt their considerable instrumental prowess to successfully support a song; rather than invade it with a show-stopping bridge".

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