Tezen Koynt is a three-piece group with an ever-increasing reputation among Cornwall's young "Noze Looan" dance enthusiasts. The group comprises Stephanie Doble (fiddle), Faith Coles (fiddle) and Timothy du Feu (guitar). The overwhelming majority of the tunes on this CD are traditional Cornish, with a smattering of Irish, Scots and Breton material mixed in for good measure.

The fiddles drive along at a good lick (as you'd expect from a dance band), and the guitar accompaniments are crisp and inventive. The band have acknowledged the folks who've assisted them in sourcing this material, and it's reassuringly unsurprising to see the names of Dalla's Hilary Coleman, and traditional music authority Mike O'Connor, given due credit.

The recording was made "live," direct to master, at The Institute of Cornish Studies. While this approach is often favoured by folkies for it's "honesty," it's something of a shame, as this standard of performance would only be enhanced by production of equally high quality. Still, in the overall scheme of things, that's a fairly minor quibble, and with an average age of 17, Tezen Koynt have got time to produce plenty more CD's in the future!

For now however, Piskie Led is their sole recording. While it's probably not a CD with mass-appeal, it's a great gig souvenir, a superb "demo" and a fine introduction to both these talented musicians and the exciting and evolving branch of Celtic music that they represent.

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Truscott 's previous appearance on the pages of Green Man was as part of the Cornwall Songwriters CD The Cry of Tin. I singled him out for praise in that review, so this solo collection is very welcome indeed. Truscott is widely regarded as Cornwall's finest "native" song-smith (that "native" is to disqualify Ralph McTell!), and he was formally honoured as such, by being made a "bard of the Gorsedd," earlier this year.

Truscott writes in a variety of song - forms: historical, autobiographical and comical, but almost always with a strong emphasis on the location, culture and identity of Cornwall. One of the few exceptions is a lovely guitar instrumental, called "Dulverton Cross" -- which is in Devon - whatever was he thinking?!

Among A Moment of Fire's highlights are "The Dancer and The Flower," a dramatic tale of battle at sea, and "The Devil's on My Shoulder," an unaccompanied, jig-time tongue twister concerning the demon drink. Truscott sings in an open, unaffected style with plenty of strength in both the accent and delivery. The CD closes with "The Swallow's Wing," another unaccompanied song that many's the folk clubber has cheerfully sung in the belief that it's old and traditional.

As with the Tezen Koynt album, this could certainly be a better CD had more time and effort been available for production. One suspects a wealthy benefactor might have helped as well! But as a collection of good, original songs and strong performances however, it's hard to fault.

[Stephen Hunt]