On the strength of Michelle O' Brien's and Laoise Kelly's new album "The Wishing Well - Live At The Dock", you would wonder whether you need to go into a recording studio at all. The quality of this album in terms of recording, production and mastering would suggest that side stepping the studio may be a more viable option for established artists. Having seen Michelle and Laoise live in the recent past the album truly captures the magic of that experience. Michelle's seemingly light touch with her bow hand can leave you enthralled and in awe of the music being played. Laoise Kelly adds her own magic in equal measure to their music. She is recognised as a harpist who is as good as any on the international stage, and rightly so.

Together they intertwine seamlessly into a truly great duet, probably one of the best you will come across. There is a crispness to the way they perform the music. It is sharp, synchronised and beautifully performed. Opening with An tSeanduin Dóite/McIntyre's Fancy/Castletown Connors/Paddy Hundai's you get an immediate impression of what awaits you. From jigs and reels to some great slow pieces like The Fairy Queen it's an inspiring performance that surpasses many studio albums. Love at the Ending an Ed Reavy composition follows in a set with Drunken Landlady/Silver Spear. The tunes of Michelle's early tutor Tommy Peoples loom large. Green Fields of Glentown, Joe Cassidy's as well as the title tune The Wishing Well. Michelle has taken the best from these early years and has added some more, creating in the process her own distinctive identity. As a recording it has an honesty about it that makes it all the more appealing and as such it will remain a classic live album. Little more needs to be said. This album is a definite must in any collection.

Review by Tony Lawless of TradConnect.com