Celtic Music Reviews: 2005/09

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"Son of a Dunigan" by Michael DeAngelis

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Michael DeAngelis
Album: Son of a Dunigan
Year produced: 2005

The ease with which this group of people play and sing together is what makes this such a good CD. Songs like Bartender Billy have such a smooth feel to them that you'll want to grab a pint and kick back in a comfy chair to catch the rest. There are a bunch of different musicians involved here, and the lyrics are good to boot. Most of the songs are written by DeAngelis, and he proves himself talented at doing so.

The CD isn't the thumping, pulsing traditional fare. Nor is it the pining, yearning fiddle you may figure is ever-present. You'll find other musical influences here, a little folk, a touch of rock and a hint of bluegrass. Through it all, however, you'll hear Celtic, although perhaps a little more mellow than you might be used to. It is a nice change and not so relaxing that you'll be yawning, just a bit contemplative. You get the feeling that these guys (and gals!) aren't worried about fitting in anywhere, they just want to play and have a good time. The genuineness of that feeling shines through, and it you can hear it. A nice listen all the way around.

Buy the Album: Son of a Dunigan

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, September 22, 2005.
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"Health to the Compay" by 3 Pints Gone

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: 3 Pints Gone
Album: Heath to the Company
Year produced: 2004

Most songs on this CD can be described with one simple word; fun! 3 Pints Gone performs often at Celtic fairs and Renaissance festivals, and you can totally picture their music flowing easily in that type of environment. I am partial to Kathleen Masino's rich voice on Wild Mountain Thyme, it really is a nice rendition.

Much of the rest of the music is just plain ol' good listening stuff. If you are feeling like some easy, peppy tunes, much of this album is geared that way. Fun, silly stories, typical Celtic fare, is aplenty here. Health to the Company, the CDs title track is a good tune, and The Minstrel Boy has some nice harmonies throughout.

There is just enough softness to this CD, including the final Irish Blessing, to keep it from being too much folly, and you won't find any experimental music here. For those who are just looking for a good story or two and a nice listen, Health to The Company is a good pick.

Buy the Album: Heath to the Company

--posted by Marc Gunn, Tuesday, September 20, 2005.
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"Samhain" by StoneRing

by J. Wallace

Artist: StoneRing
Album: Samhain
Year produced: 2005

Make room in the CD changer for more great Celtic sounds, especially when StoneRing's Beth Johnson is at the mic. She shares singing duties with Charlie Johnson and Bill Rients, but the group is at their best when Johnson carries the tune. There's a good mix of tempos, from the somber title track to the carefree fun rendition of Beer, Beer, Beer. Johnson really shines on God Bless England and The Winding Stone Path.

Samhain throws in a great curve ball on the second track. Morrison's Set is a surprise, a beautiful Celtic reworking of The Doors classic People Are Strange. Excellent fiddle playing and flute work make this a treat. It would be easy to lose the musical plot on a cover of such a well-known song, but the original melancholy of the Doors version shines through here even as the reworked version gets a bit playful. The group does Jim Morrison and company justice, and without shamelessly imitating the original.

The closing track gives Beth Johnson one last chance at the mic, but it's really an acapella group effort. The voices blend well on Sorrows Away; this is a group that doesn't seem to have any weaknesses at all. Going acapella is a risky venture for groups that don't have voices up to the challenge, but StoneRing more than makes the grade.

The only real complaint? There isn't enough Beth Johnson. Her voice is especially suited for Celtic music, and while the male singers more than hold their own, Johnson brings an element of calm and control, a good contrast to the more freewheeling approach during the drinking tunes and rebellious songs. StoneRing is quite busy these, doing many live sets, traveling all over the Midwest from their hometown in Madison, Wisconsin. Don't miss the chance to see this group perform. If you're lucky, maybe they'll trot out an extended version of Morrison's Set.

Buy the Album: Samhain

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, Tuesday, September 20, 2005.
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