There’s an unfettered quality to the music of Breaking Trad that would surely appeal to Walter White’s wayward sensibilities, so this recently formed trio’s chosen moniker isn’t wasted.
Dónal Murphy, of Sliabh Notes, brings the riches of Sliabh Luachra to play on a flavoursome choice of tunes, and sparks fly between himself and fiddle player Niall Murphy.
There are guest vocals from Lisa Canny, whose trad/soul style may work well live but which suffers from too much melismatic decoration.
Mike Galvin's guitar offers a muscular undertow and subtle shading. Murphy's fiddle renders the American tune Ashokan Farewell with fine fluidity, a showcase of the trio at their best.
Their final offering, Rushy Mountain, with its nods to Ry Cooder, may signal that more interesting departures await.
