Another year, another Seamus Kennedy release. I swear that guy has more recorded material than Elvis, but he never disappoints. Sheamus' professionalism and skill are as predictable as a Bush bombing. His "A Smile and a Tear" is a mulligatawny of trad, near-trad and out and out contemporary covers that wouldn't blend for anyone but him. Included in this extraordinary collection are the charming Scottish lilt, "Mairi's Wedding", the Celtic standard, "Fainne Geal an Lae", and the haunting "I See His Blood Upon the Rose", the poem written for his new bride by Irish Martyr, Joseph M. Plunkett. There is lots of humor as well; it wouldn't be a Seamus Kennedy session without a "bit of the crack". Mr. Kennedy's recordings are available in stores and such, or through services like www.cdbaby.com.

--- Michael Miller, Tune-Up, a publication of the Philadelphia Folksong Society