World/Folk

3 1/2 Stars

'Rag Faire" (Sky) is the first recording in 18 years by Durham musicians Jane Peppler and Bob Vasile, who performed together as the Pratie Heads from 1981 to 1988. This welcome release extends their earlier music and reflects interests derived from individual endeavors since that time.

"Pratie" is an Irish word for "potato," a tuber that was domesticated in Peru and adopted by the Irish and most of the Western world as a dietary staple. The name Pratie Heads reflects the cultural eclecticism of the music that's performed beautifully on "Rag Faire."

With Peppler on violin, viola and concertina, and Vasile on guitar and bouzouki, the CD ranges across a textured musical landscape that includes selections from the British Isles, Bulgaria and Mexico as well as originals (Peppler's "The Frozen Girl") and (Vasile's "Bagira's Walk" and "Rosehill Reel"). Instrumental virtuosity, vocal solos and duets establish diverse moods and atmospheres on this musically interesting and lyrically entertaining album.

Whaling ships and sailors, with their dangerous and peripatetic lives, populate five of the album's 18 tracks, including the '60s folk favorite, "Lord Franklin." Vasile's rich baritone imparts a light and celebratory mood to "Jamestown Homeward Bound," and Peppler's electric soprano transforms a whaling expedition aboard "The Bonny Ship the Diamond" from a perilous venture to a thrilling adventure.

The Pratie Heads will perform Saturday at Carolina Friends Meetinghouse in Durham. CDs will be available, or you can order from www.skylark2.com.