The Gloaming is a collaboration between five master musicians named Martin Hayes (violin, fiddle), Thomas Bartlett aka Doveman (piano), Iarla Ó Lionaird (vocals), Dennis Cahill (guitar) and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (hardanger fiddle). Their work is based on traditional Irish forms into which they introduce deep wells of personality and experience; lyrcs drawn from the history of Irish literature; and playing that is executed with the authority of virtuosos. The result is haunting, emotionally charged, and unclouded by sheen or hokey sentimentality. It sounds ancient without a hint of nostalgia.