Molly O'Mahony, Norman Collins - Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (2010)

Eight of the songs are by Antonio Carlos Jobim, the late Brazilian composer who basically launched the Bossa Nova movement in the 1960s. Attempting a Jobim-themed album is audacious for two reasons: first, it follows in the footsteps of artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and, of course, Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto. Second, singer Molly O'Mahony and guitarist Norman Collins are from Ireland's Mizen Peninsula.

It might counterintuitive for an Irish duo to play mostly Brazilian music, but both come out of a setting of mountains and ocean, and the playing and singing is (though excellent) cool and uncluttered. So, it probably makes more sense than first meets the eye.

This CD is suffused with large and small pleasures. Perhaps the only unfortunate aspect may be its title, which is similar to Diana Krall's "Quiet Nights." I like this one better. ~Sirch