REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

BEOGA - Live At 10: The 10th Anniversary Concert
Compass Records COM4621

Most people interested in Irish music will have heard (or heard of) Beoga by now. Fans will probably have all four of their studio albums, but this 20 track CD plus DVD set is a must have.

Ten years down the line and the band put on a celebration anniversary concert at home in Ireland resulting in this live recording - and what a cracker it is. All the old favourites are included so you may think you have heard it all before BUT they have engaged a host of top notch musicians to join them for this performance - the Beoga Big Band! This line-up gives the music an added dimension and an even fuller sound. A few new deviations and twists have been added to some of the sets which keep the music we know and love fresh, a little bit different and, as ever, fun.

Guest musicians for the concert are Alan Doherty (flute, whistles), Bríd Dunne (fiddle, viola), Brona Graham (banjo), Trevor Hutchinson (double bass), Martin O’Neill (drums, percussion), Niall Vallely (concertina) and Clodagh Warnock (fiddle) – they would make a formidable line-up in their own right without adding the five members of Beoga themselves to the mix!

As usual with Beoga, the music is fast, furious, frantic and fun. Impeccable musicianship, brilliant arrangements, innovative, diverse and exciting.

A DVD of the full concert is included with additional extras including great footage from their debut concert in 2002 (when they all had hair and some of them look about 12!) and 'behind the scenes' tour diaries. Good fun and well worth a watch.

If you don't know Beoga's music yet, this is the one to buy. If you already know their music, this CD/DVD set is an essential addition - even if, like me, you already own their entire studio collection.

Mighty fine stuff... and did I mention fun?!

www.beogamusic.com

Jim Byrne