‘The Parish Platform’ the latest album from Rattle the Boards is a burst of infectious vitality. With this album the band has produced a selection of polkas, hornpipes, jigs, reels and songs that exude insistent drive and energy.

Rattle the Boards is Benny McCarthy (melodeon, button accordion) Pat Ryan (banjo, fiddle, mandolin) John Nugent (guitar) and John T Egan (vocals). To say they play well together is like saying that rain is wet. ‘The Parish Platform’ delivers some of the tightest, most together music I’ve heard in a while. Not a note out of place.

Opening with three fine polkas, the album makes its dancing intentions clear from the outset. To change step the band is joined by Jon Kenny on vocals for ‘St. Patrick Was a Gentleman’ – wonderful song, superbly executed by two great voices. The hornpipes ‘Galway’ and ‘Peacocks Feather’ keep the dancers on their toes, and the quickstep ‘Whistling Rufus’ is performed to perfection – listen out for the trumpet. Before the pace gets too frantic they take a breath with ‘The Autumn Sky’ – a gentle, beautiful air that deserves a more regular hearing.

The album ramps up again with a hornpipe ‘Off To California’, this is followed by their version of ‘Mason’s Apron’ (a melody with untold variations allegedly Scottish in origin but also claimed by the Irish tradition) which ensures even fewer people remain sitting down. Rattle The Boards also give the ‘Irish Washerwoman’ another airing and close with a group of excellent jigs and reels.

There is enough life in this music to lift the weary soul or raise the spirits on a dismal day. Listening to Rattle the Boards will have people leaping to their feet to join in, while the more staid among us will be just as happy foot-tapping along. ‘The Parish Platform’ should be compulsory listening – the world would be a happier place.

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