Kevin Crawford, flute and whistle player with Lúnasa, has released a new solo album called Carrying the Tune on the Bally-O Records label. It was recorded by Martin O’Malley at Malbay Studios in Milltown Malbay, Co Clare. Crawford describes it as ‘a joyful romp through an eclectic collection of tunes’ both traditional and more recent compositions by the likes of Paddy O’Brien, Dónal Lunny, Maurice Lennon and Crawford himself.

Crawford has recorded with Moving Cloud (Moving Cloud 1995 and Foxglove 1998), Lúnasa, Cillian Vallely (On Common Ground 2001), and two previous solo albums, ‘D’ Flute Album (1994) and In Good Company (2001), which was primarily flute and fiddle duets. He has also guested on albums by artists such as Seán Tyrrell, Joe Derrane and Natalie Merchant.

On Carrying the Tune he is accompanied by fellow-Teetotaller John Doyle on guitar, and there are occasional contributions from Brian Morrissey on bodhrán and Mick Conneely on bouzouki. He has put together a new website to coincide with the launch of the CD and it offers the chance to preview a number of the tracks: kevincrawford.ie/audio

The track listing is as follows:

1. McHugh’s / Michael Murphy’s / Humours of Tullycrine (reels)
2. Lá Ollámh / Lucky Lucky Day (slip jigs)
3. Autumn Apple’s / Cormac O’Lunny’s / Paddy Sean Nancy’s (reels)
4. Flatwater Fran / Mrs Jean Campbell BSC (waltz’s)
5. John McKenna’s / The Jointure / The Smithstown Jaunt (jigs)
6. Queen of May / Tom Dowd’s Favourite / Naughton’s (hornpipe/reels)
7. The Dear Irish Boy / The Hole in the Boat / Sally Sloane’s (slow air/jigs)
8. The Arra Mountains / Hunting the Hare / Petko (slip jigs/horo)
9. Taylor’s Fancy / Tanglony / Willie Clancy’s (slides/single jig)
10. Repeal the Union / The Ivy Leaf / The Hut in the Bog (reels)
11. Della the Diamond / Princess Polly / The Girl for Me (jigs)
12. The Mountain Lark / Jack in the Box (reels)
13. Ray’s Revenge / The Hula Hoop (jig/reel)
14. Ag Taisteal Na Blarnán (Travelling through Blarney) / Come West Along The Road (slow air/reel)