Rira
Mischievous Merriment and Other Noble Sentiment
Brian Witt, Irish American Post

The quartet Rira has followed their debut album with one that is even better. 
The center of the group is fiddler Ed Paloucek and pianist Kathleen Congleton, with Jack Congleton on percussion and Stuart Mitchell on vocals. The work spends a lot of time looking back in old recordings and song and tune books to deliver a piece that sounds in part barn dance and other part parlour presentation.

Paloucek takes the lead on “Lucy Campbells/Ballinisloe Fair”, pieces he got from Michael Coleman.  On “Broken Pledge/Hand Me Down the Tackle/The Limestone Rock”, the Flanagan Brothers were the sources of the last two tunes in this marvelously played set of reels. “Christmas Eve/Sweeney’s Buttermilk/Huey Lewis Reels” are a rollicking affair.

Kathleen Congleton comes to the fore in grand style on “Lord Inchiquin”, played in an understated, yet stately manner. She and Paloucek combine in a nice duet on “Lament for Limerick”. Kathleen’s backing of Mitchell’s singing is the perfect musical marriage.

Stuart Mitchell hearkens back to the drawing room days, with his singing, in what is a very good thing. He shines on “Believe Me If All Those Enduring Young Charms” and “Red is The Rose”. The wedding song, “Gift Of Love”, is a nice addition.  Jack Congleton provided the backing percussion across the album, but he allows the others to shine above him, never intrusive, always giving in his playing.  Mischievous Merriment brings a smile to the face.

Witt