Celtic Music Reviews: 2005/07

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"The High Road" by Cluan

by Joe Wallace

Artist: Cluan
Album: The High Road
Year produced: 2004

Cluan mix up reels, jigs and songs to good effect on The High Road. The Texas sextet's fifty-minute studio album lives up to its name with plenty of high quality sounds from Ireland and beyond. Singer Erin Bobruk adds just the right touch of emotion on the opening jilted-lover song The Blacksmith. More impressively, Bobruk handles the tongue-twisting Bímse Féin ag lascaireacht with considerable skill and grace.

Cluan stick with what some call the all-natural sound; they don't try to spruce up the mix with electrified sounds, heavy echo or other studio tricks. The acoustic guitar, bouzouki, and two fiddles are expertly recorded; The High Road has a spontaneous quality difficult to capture on a studio album.

It's obvious the band put much thought into the flow of this release as a long-play experience. With plenty of variety from track to track, the music ebbs and flows from the mellow Green Grows The Laurel to the spirited jigs of The Butlers of Glen Avenue. The finale, Aly's Waltz, rounds out the album well, its easygoing tempo a nice contrast to the energetic Skidoo, Johnny Allen's, and Farewell To Whisky.

For a group only in existence for a few years, the group already has an impressive selection of quality work. Cluan have three releases under their belts now, the six-song The Buck Stops Here, and the longer-playing Night Out. After getting a taste of The High Road, the other two titles are very tempting. Sadly, The Buck Stops Here is unavailable, but Night Out is still in print, featuring the same skilled guitar and good fiddle playing that's found on The High Road.

Buy the Album: The High Road

Celtic MP3 Music Magazine writer Joe Wallace reviews music for many publications and writes both nonfiction as well as short stories. His nonfiction work includes articles for Korean Quarterly, Indie-Music.com, the Alternative Culture Guide, and Factsheet Five. Contact him through his website at www.freelance-zone.com.

--posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, July 27, 2005.
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"Storming Heaven" by Avalon Rising

by J. Wallace

Artist: Avalon Rising
Album: "Storming Heaven"
Year produced: 2004

Avalon Rising has quite a track record. Twelve years in the Bay Area and on stages throughout the Pacific Northwest has honed the skills of this Celtic/Medieval rock group to a high degree. Fans of the Avalon Rising's blend of traditional, slightly psychedelic and Mid-Eastern influences will be quite pleased with Storming Heaven. It gets off to a rousing start with The Hexamshire Lass, and Hunt The Blarney Cat. There are good old-fashioned sounds on The Lark In The Morning, but this is far from a traditionalist release. The song Jack Daw is a progressive rock ballad some are comparing to Jethro Tull, and the band shows off their a capella talent on Health To The Company, which closes out the CD.

It's not an easy feat to pull off such a wide range of diverse sounds and influences while keeping a heavy Celtic flavor, but Avalon Rising is up to the job. The band scores points with 'old school' Irish music lovers with the pagan overtones their music, and makes the grade with fans of skilled guitar playing. Some will pick up this album out of sheer curiosity-how can a band manage hints of the Middle East, psychadelia and, on Musical Pesto Set, a hint of the Red Hot Chili Peppers while still uncompromisingly Celt? Avalon Rising is a group giving big headaches to music store employees who can’t quite find a category for this progressive/traditional band.

Buy the Album: "Storming Heaven"

--posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, July 21, 2005.
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"Far From Home" by Hugh Morrison & Friends

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Hugh Morrison
Album: "Far From Home"
Year produced: 2005

Fans of the three-row button accordion are in for a treat with Hugh Morrison's newest release, Far From Home. The expert playing on the album is coupled with his love for old favorites such as the Siege of Ennis. For those that don't like to sit back and listen there is more dance music as well. Morrison stretches out a bit though--including a reel and a jig but expanding the range with a march and a waltz. Plenty of stuff to get those so inclined on the dance floor.

Most of the album is instrumental and it is all well-played. There are however, a couple of tracks that feature his smooth, mellow voice and some subtle harmonies. Track two, my favorite of the whole CD, Wild Mountain Thyme is one of these.

This is bright, happy music and it is impossible to feel badly with it humming away for you. You can see that Morrison is influenced by a variety of Celtic sources, and the ear detects hints of both Scottish and Irish sounds throughout the album.

A nice mix of music, Hugh Morrison's CD will make a good addition to any traditional enthusiast's collection. And listening to it will always make you feel good.

Buy the Album: "Far From Home"

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer specializing in the arts. She has written for Dance Teacher Magazine, Classical Singer and Dance Spirit among others, and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her at www.freelance-zone.com.

--posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, July 21, 2005.
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"Roguetrip" by The Rogues

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: The Rogues
Album: Roguetrip
Year produced: 2005

Track 1 on the latest effort from Celtic band The Rogues lit me up right off the bat, a powerful sound that is at once traditional and progressive and one that gets you excited to hear more.

The second track, The Warrior's Salute, has the proper amount of ceremony in the music to carry the title. The meaning in that is personal, and the pipes are played in tribute to the band's friend Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson who they lost in 2004.

Ronds is traditional dance music, with the slow beginning designed to give the dancers time to get into position. The Binou Braz (Highland Pipes) and Bombarde (feral oboe) lend a sound to the song which is different than the ones before it.

The sound changes yet again in track 4, When Diana Fell, the only track with lyrics on this CD. This song has almost a pop music feel to it, with vocal harmonies and easy melody--far simpler than the complex playing on the tracks before and after it.

Back to the Faire, track 5 gets back to the traditional feel, which continues pleasantly through more dance music on track 6, An Dro (The Turn).

Get set for some more expert pipe playing on track 7, Bagpipes on Bourbon Street, which plays with different rhythms and succeeds in keeping interest with the addition of the drums halfway through the song which keeps the momentum going.

Track 8, Conception is completely different, and has an almost funky feel to it. A modern style of playing which is fun and groovy all at the same time, totally different than anything else on the CD.

Then off to track 9 which is a free wheeling ride through different rhythms and time signatures. From one to the next, again it keeps things moving and interesting for the listener.

With track 10, Marren's Jig, it's back to the basics, simple jig music written to practice hard shoe dancing to--and you'll hear it in the music too.

More dance music follows with a hornpipe named after famous Highland dancer, Bobby Cuthbertson, which starts off with the slow whine and picks up to the poppy, energetic pace that switches to a lively jig to finish.

The final track on this CD is a gorgeous end to it all. A deep, soulful flute coos out quietly, finishing off the album.

Sometimes the fun is in knowing what is coming next, and sometimes it is in the surprise. With the Rogues, you'll not know what you are going to get, but you know it will be fine, fine music indeed.

Buy the Album: Roguetrip

--posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, July 18, 2005.
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"From the Ashes" by Sarah Dinan

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Sarah Dinan
Album: From the Ashes
Year produced: 2004

There is nothing like a deep woman's voice--especially when they are singing Celtic music. Sarah Dinan's purrs through many of the selections on From the Ashes, sometimes soothing, sometimes haunting, but always beautiful.

The first track on the album, however, has Dinan singing in a chirpy, birdlike way. She can do this too, but you would never believe that she is an alto. She reveals this in the second track, which is accompanied by her band members.

Track three, May Morning Dew finds Dinan going solo, sans music, which I always love and this time is no exception. She holds her own, and held my attention as well. I relished it, not knowing that there was more of this to come.

Track four is playful, and she uses her voice almost as if it were an instrument itself. It is followed by Black is the Colour, which is a soft, dreamy tune which highlights Dinan's range and vocal skill. She shows that she can demonstrate her talent without beating you over the head with it. It whispers to you.

The next track, When You and I Were True, perks up a bit and has a nice, smooth feel to it, just as track eight, An Paistin Fionn. But the real star of the album is sandwiched in-between these two songs.

The Hero's Return (The Belfast Song) has only voice, although this time it is in harmony, and its tone is serious, not dreamy. It takes a lot to bring a tear to my eye musically, but this song did just that.

Track nine, She Moved Through the Fair was just plain fun and it was one of those tunes that you keep with you for a while. Starts out slow and builds up momentum as it goes--leaving you waiting for what is next.

The album closes with Flower of Magherally 'O (Radio Edit) which finishes things off nicely. I must say, it is a compilation of songs that is well worth a listen. If you are a fan of a strong, deep, Celtic voice, this album is for you.

Buy the Album: From the Ashes

--posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, July 07, 2005.
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