Long Time Courting Debut Crisp and Sublime

LONG TIME COURTING

Alternate Routes

Self-Produced

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Long Time Courting open their debut CD with “Maggie Dean,” a song about a lass who disguises herself as a lad to go to sea. Call it a sly get-over-it message to those who still think the idea of women playing Celtic music is exotic. LTC consists of Sarah Blair, Ariel Friedman, Shannon Heaton, and Liz Simmons, and the important thing to know is that they’re very, very good. Each is a fine singer and they have the sense to try new things with old material, such as rendering "Barbara Allen" atop drone-like cello. In many ways, though, the instrumentals dazzle even more. The title track is scaffolded by Simmons’ bold guitar, swoops to Heaton’s flute, comes back to earth with the deep resonance of Friedman’s cello, and takes flight anew courtesy of Blair’s edgy fiddle ornaments. Sets such as “In the Doghouse” evoke the rhythms and grooves of Lúnasa, but it’s inevitable that this lineup will be labeled as New England’s rejoinder to Cherish the Ladies. Not bad company to keep.

Here's a 2009 clip of concert in New Hampshire.