Albireo - Northern Cross

Albireo are an experienced Manchester / Cheshire ceilidh band. The band comprise Tom Kitching, fiddle, mandolin; Howard Jones, melodeon, Anglo concertina, hammered dulcimer, recorder; Steve Hodgskiss, piano, English concertina; Peter Crowther, bass, keyboard; and Sean Bechhofer, guitar. They produce an overall sound which very clearly retains its English roots, but at the same time is fresh, gutsy and attention-grabbing. This is achieved to a large extent by a powerful, though never overwhelming, back line which concentrates on the rhythmic side, allowing the squeezeboxes and fiddle to explore the melodic side. In amongst all the top-class playing all round, there are some particularly fine bits of bass, an instrument which is often relegated to the minor leagues, but here is up-front and adds an extra depth and interest to the overall ensemble.

1.The Brazilian (Roseira do Norte) 2.Kempshott Hunt 3.The Railway / Rogues March 4.Gathering Peascods 5.Morning Star / Three Jolly Sheepskins 6.Hudscales / Cat's Cradle / Treacle Town 7.The Hole in the Wall 8.Arkansas Traveller / Bill Cheatham's Reel / The Kitchen Girl 9.Gyspy's Hornpipe / Gloucester Hornpipe 10.The Gallery / The Venus of Levenshulme 11.Alfaz del Pi 12.Graemsay Jig / The Star Above the Garter 13.Elzic's Farewell 14.Weaver's March