This recording marks 50 years since the band’s formation and although a series of special guest albums are being released, this one has a bit more of an edge to it compared to other efforts that are overweight with big names.

Roots producer maestro T Bone Burnette has enlisted some lesser known but impressive roots and indie based bands and groundbreaking Irish producer Brian Masterson helps out on the Dublin-based sessions. American groups like the Pistol Annies and Secret Sisters deliver beautiful harmonies while Bon Iver gives us ‘Down in the Willow Garden’. Scottish pop singer Paolo Nutini really brings his Scottish brogue to the fore on the old Stephen Foster tune ‘Hard Times Come Again No More’. Roots up-and-comers the Punch Brothers appear on a couple of tracks, and the Decemberists give a spirited reading of an early Dylan song ‘When the Ship Comes In’.

The DVD of has recording footage and Paddy Moloney talking about the band’s history and paying tribute to past members. There’s also film of NASA astronaut Cady Coleman floating inside a space station while playing a tin whistle borrowed from Moloney.

Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton