When Beoga released their first album “A Lovely Madness” in 2002, it became my favorite album of the year. It was quirky, innovative and darn good fun! Additionally, this Antrim based band are all extremely talented musicians. Beoga are now back with “Mischief” and I’m delighted to say that this new release is as good as, and dare I say it “even better than the first. The title track lives up to its name with its fast paced pair of tunes penned by button accordion player Damien McKee. This is one of the great attractions of this new CD ” the amount of great new original tunes penned by the band.When Beoga released their first album “A Lovely Madness” in 2002, it became my favorite album of the year. It was quirky, innovative and darn good fun! Additionally, this Antrim based band are all extremely talented musicians. Beoga are now back with “Mischief” and I’m delighted to say that this new release is as good as, and dare I say it ” even better than the first.The title track lives up to its name with its fast paced pair of tunes penned by button accordion player Damien McKee. This is one of the great attractions of this new CD ” the amount of great new original tunes penned by the band.”Mischief” is followed up with a jazzy little set called “Kick’n the Box” which is made up of “Luka’s wake/Kick’n the box”. Lest fans of Luka Bloom become unduly worried, the Luka in question was fiddle player Niamh Dunne’s pet mouse. The saxophone work by David Howell is superb as is the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra which joins Beoga on several tunes. In fact, this cut is one of the standout tracks of the album and a good example of what makes this band so amazing.Beoga’s innovative use of outside elements such as the Prague Philharmonic or sax or flugelhorn could be a disaster in the wrong hands. However, Beoga are dead to rights in their musical taste and usage and as a result have produced a sound that is unique, addictive and unbelievably fun.This doesn’t mean they can’t do the trad thing as well. A good example is “Ryan’s Air” ” which although you might be confused to find is in fact a jig ” is dedicated to a “certain” airline which smashed Sean Og Graham’s guitar.Songs abound on this release and reflect the eclectic taste of the band with the American ballad “The Factory Girl”, Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” and a gorgeous song by Johnny Duhan (best known for his song “The Voyage”) called “A Delicate Thing”. In a recent trend seen by Kris Drever and North Cregg, songs from the 1920’s are coming back in vogue and Beoga have included a ragtime version of “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” in this collection.The majority of tunes on this release are all originals penned by various members of the band. For musicians seeking out the very latest and best of new material ” give a listen to “Cu Chullain’s Despair”, “Trolleyed”, “Jazzy Wilbur” or “Mickey The Pipes”.The whole thing winds up with the lovely, soft “Another Journey” composed by Sean Og and dedicated to all good friends and musicians he has met along the way. “Mischief” is well on the way to being my favorite album for 2007. It could be yours as well. Check it out at: www.beogamusic.com Beoga are: Liam Bradley Piano/Keys/Hammond Organ/Backing VocalsNiamh Dunne Lead vocal/fiddleEamon Murray Bodhran/Cajon/Kit/Percussion/Backing VocalsDamian McKee Button Accordion/ Backing VocalsSean Og GrahamButton Accordion/Guitar/Bouzouki/Mandolin/ backing vocalsBeoga are joined by: The Prague Philharmonic OrchestraMudd Wallace electric guitarJohn Fitzpatrick violinBrona Graham banjoLisa Murray whistleOdhran Devlin bassClaire Creelman harpDavid Howell clarinet/saxophoneLinley Hamilton trumpet/flugelhornCindy Reich is a contributing writer to “The Living Tradition”, Ayrshire, Scotland, “Irish Music Magazine”, Dublin, Ireland, and presents the radio music show, “The Long Acre” on Mondays, 1pm-3pm on 88.9 FM, KRFC Ft. Collins