Celtic Music Reviews: 2006/08

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"Full Gael: Traditional Music with Celtic Roots" by Full Gael

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Full Gael
Album: "Full Gael: Traditional Music with Celtic Roots"
Year produced: 2006

Sometimes you find the perfect CD to pop in and kick back to on a Sunday afternoon--and when it is a Celtic one--that much better! Well, it just so happens that it is Sunday--and I have found one--Full Gael's debut CD. Filled with traditional fare (as the name implies!) it is a nice, well-rounded compilation of songs that are expertly played and well arranged.

New Englander's might recognize a name from this band in Will O'Hare, as he used to host "The Celtic Session" on WECS radio. Each band member contributes to the sound of this album, so when you hear Canadian Maritime music, look to Gary Palmer for an explanation. Palmer has over 30 years of service at sea and is a retired Captain as well as vocalist and guitar player. Rounding out and balancing the guys is fiddler Jeanne Freeman who holds her own--and then some with her crisp style and musical ability.

Don't miss track 8, "The Last Shanty," which is an a capella tune with impact. The other songs that fill this CD will make you think there are more than 3 players--they are filled with instruments and sound. There is enough variety here to keep things interesting, but a flow to the CD as well so it doesn't feel choppy or forced. So if you find yourself with some Sunday free time and want a good listen--try this band on for size. It is an enjoyable listen.

Buy the Album: "Full Gael: Traditional Music with Celtic Roots"

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Sunday, August 27, 2006.
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"The Wild Woods" by Sarah Marie Mullen

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Sarah Marie Mullen
Album: "The Wild Woods"
Year produced: 2006

Sarah Marie Mullen has been in love with the harp since kindergarten, and it shows! Drawn most often to the 32 or 34 string Celtic harp, Ms. Mullen has a lovely style and feel to her playing. The arrangements on this CD are quite beautiful and you can tell that a great deal of thought went into their preparation.

Although an instrumental album, The Wild Woods is meant to "evoke a story of a young knight and his fey love of a faerie princess," according to Mullen. Sometimes sprightly, other times wistful, the tracks on this CD have one thing in common no matter what the sound--they are classy through and through.

Whether it is the years of experience she has in playing the instrument or just her innate musical talent that brings such a fresh sound to her playing is hard to say. The album has a particularly refreshing arrangement of the traditional "Greensleeves" that really highlights Mullen's ability and style. Her fingers fly over the strings and you can actually feel the expressiveness come through--a tough thing for a harpist to do.

Those who love to listen to Celtic harp will be quite pleased with this CD and will love the amount of tracks it holds as well--17. Transformative and uplifting, this is a really nice group of songs and they are extremely well-played too.

Buy the Album: "The Wild Woods"

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Sunday, August 20, 2006.
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"Beyond the Gate" by Tenpenny Travelers

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Tenpenny Travelers
Album: Beyond the Gate
Year produced: 2006

Songs like "Dapper Dan" are those tongue-twisting tunes that make you want to learn the lyrics--just for kicks. (I gave it a shot and gave up!) The ladies voices are quite something on this CD and have a range of talents and surprises in store for the listener, from the seamless harmonies in track 1 "Lords and Ladies" to the percussive pops of voice dancing around amidst the drum beats in "Bonny Boy."

Tenpenny Travelers choice of musical arrangements on this CD is interesting--and in the best possible way. At times the harmony of the ladies voices actually participate as if they were being played. Other times, a simple accompaniment of one or two instruments sails along with the vocals. There are a wide range of tracks--some are purely instrumental, but keep interest by having ever-changing tempos and a dynamic quality to them, picking up speed along the way. Clapping hands are even used as accompaniment sans other instruments in track 6--which is an amusing tune with plenty of good humor and energy. You'll feel like you are at the pub and a group just burst out into song!

"Entertaining" would really be the perfect word to describe this CD--traditional--but smart and unique as well. Those who love Renaissance Festival music but are a bit tired of the usual will enjoy this immensely. This album really is not just more of the same!

Buy the Album: Beyond the Gate

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"Paddy Keys For Mayor" by The Larkin Brigade

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: The Larkin Brigade
Album: "Paddy Keys For Mayor"
Year produced: 2006

Named for a Dublin labor-union founder and republican Jim Larkin, The Larkin Brigade's sound is unlike the typical Irish music that the band members remember growing up on. Taking the energy of punk music, (read--they like the Pogues) and the music of their youth, they have tossed it all in the mix and wound up with something truly their own.

It was an interesting ride that resulted in this mixture--after all, you don't get much more traditional than Irish music, and you don't go too much further out on a "musical limb" than punk! The band members went out into the world, experienced all different types of music, and then later came back to their roots--but with their own ideas about how to play.

The really neat thing is that it gives the music an unmistakable Irish stamp, but allows for an improvisational feel -- sort of along the lines of some types of jazz music. Although the songs don't wind up sounding like jazz, they have a similar energy.

The nice part is -- these guys can play. Some punk-style bands wind up just banging away on their instruments--sometimes literally--but the Irish sound lends a definite musicality to the tracks that make them work. It also widens their appeal, because fans of both musical styles will see a fit here. It just goes to show you, sometimes letting up on the rules is a good thing.

Oh, and in case you are wondering (or have not heard of the Molly Maguires) . . . Paddy Keys is a member of the band . . .

Buy the Album: "Paddy Keys For Mayor"

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"Behind The Blarney" by The Wild Clover Band

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: The Wild Clover Band
Album: "Behind The Blarney"
Year produced: 2005

While still a fairly new group, The Wild Clover Band has blossomed and stretched its wings since its humble beginnings as a brewery's band in Nebraska in the year 2000. With a polished sound and truly excellent musicianship, it is no wonder they have branched out and stared expanding their circle of listeners to larger groups and surrounding states.

Behind The Blarney gives a twist on the traditional music with its hints of bluegrass, no doubt at least in part due to the influence of the skilled banjo play of Mike Metzger, who has 20 years plus of bluegrass music experience already under his belt. Although not present on every track, when it's there, you feel it! A nice and easy introduction to the musical style for those raised on the familiar Celtic sounds because it blends the two--especially on track 1, "Hills of Connemara" which whips things into a frenzy pretty darn quick.

The players have such a wide range of musical experience, and you can see that it has brought energy to the process of their band. Some members are music instructors as well as musicians, and you won't be shocked when you hear them play. The last track, "The Polka Set" can be lifted up as a fitting end to an album that is chock full of good music--all the way to the end.

Buy the Album: "Behind The Blarney"

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"Captain Billy's Privateers" by Jolly Rogues

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Jolly Rogues
Album: "Captain Billy's Privateers"
Year produced: 2004

Hailing from Massachusetts--a place itself steeped in history--the Jolly Rogues are themselves an "auditory flashback" to the music of the 18th and 19th century. On this CD, Captain Billy's Privateers, they go from one great sea shanty to another, and truth be told, there is quite a bit of a nautical flair going on here--which is already reflected in the title of the CD, so it shouldn't really be a surprise!

You can tell that these gentlemen are into history, and you don't need to look too far for an affirmation of that fact--they are members of The Guild of Historic Interpreters. They stay pretty true to olde times as well, and if you see them perform you'll probably find them dressing in three-cornered hats and knickers and using traditional instruments.

My personal favorite is track 9, "I'm A Rover Seldom Sober." It's one of those tunes that makes you sway with it and join in singing--Rover or not--you'll jump on the bandwagon for this track. There is a good selection of seafaring songs here, and it is nearly all light-hearted and pleasant--good mood music to be sure.

Buy the Album: "Captain Billy's Privateers"

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"Steppin' Large and Laughin' Easy" by The Patched Hats

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: The Patched Hats
Album: "Steppin' Large and Laughin' Easy"
Year produced: 2005

Mostly guitar and bodhran mixed with a lot of energy and an almost hypnotic, lyrical sound, The Patched Hats play like madmen and sing like saints. This CD would add to anyone's collection a little bit o' happiness.

Right out of the gate, track 1, "Go Down You Murderers" jams hard and blasts with an amazingly full sound for so few players and instruments. Followed right up with a gorgeous ballad-style song, by the then you are hooked hard on these guys. There is something very sincere about the delivery of the words sung here on this CD that is special. As a matter of fact, I liked the sound of his voice so much that I actually would have prefered no insturmental tracks! It is like having a David Gray for Irish music lovers--who would have thought?

The bass sound of the bodhran and hand drum aren't toned down or watered down here, which gives the feeling that you are hearing the music live if you close your eyes. Pretty dang impressive for a band that made up their name on the spot when they were asked after playing in the small town of Doolin one day . . .

In all seriousness, this is one superb CD. If you love a great voice, get ready to hear just that--and more. Since these guys are fairly new on the scene together, it will be really interesting to see what they come up with next!

Buy the Album: "Steppin' Large and Laughin' Easy"

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"Northern Bridge" by Christy O'Leary

by Sherrill Fulghum

Artist: Christy O'Leary
Album: "Northern Bridge"
Year produced: 1997

Irish born Christy O'Leary has been playing the uilleann pipes since he was 12 years old. After 25 years Christy or playing Christy has recorded his solo debut album "The Northern Bridge". Christy now resides with his wife in Sweden where he has learned some Scandinavian tunes; thus the title "The Northern Bridge".

The album is a fine collection of 12 traditional and contemporary Celtic and Scandinavian tunes. Frequently all accents and dialect is gone when a person sings, but not so with Christy O'Leary, the Irish brogue comes through in his songs. The addition of non-traditional instruments like the electric bass and piano serve not as a detraction from the music but instead enhances the songs.

Any fan of traditional Irish music and/or the uilleann pipes will find Christy O'Leary's music a nice addition to their musical CD collection.

Buy the Album: "Northern Bridge"

Sherrill Fulghum is a freelance writer for the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. She makes her home in Niagara Falls, New York and has been writing for nearly 20 years and has written over 1,200 pieces of work. Besides writing, Sherrill enjoys photography.

--posted by Anonymous, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"The Music of Kevin Keegan" by Kevin Keegan

by Sherrill Fulghum

Artist: Kevin Keegan
Album: The Music of Kevin Keegan
Year produced: 2004

Kevin Keegan was an accomplished button accordion player who was born in County Galway. While he died in 1978, thanks to his friends and family some of his music survived him and made it on to this CD which was released in 2004.

"The Music of Kevin Keegan" is a collection of 19 songs collected from reel to reel and cassette tape recordings made by friends and family over the years. It is a great tribute to both the man and the music. This wonderful collection of traditional Irish tunes includes a recording of Adeste Fideles that was recorded on Christmas Eve in 1954 in a church in County Galway. It was an inpromtu performance by Kevin and was perhaps the only recording of Kevin Keegan's voice left in Ireland prior to this CD.

The liner notes that accompany the CD give a short biography of Kevin penned by fellow accordion player Joe Burke and are written in English and Irish.

Buy the Album: The Music of Kevin Keegan

--posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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"Forsaken Land" by Pol Mac Adaim

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Pol Mac Adaim
Album: "Forsaken Land"
Year produced: 2006

This is a very interesting CD. Pol Mac Adaim sings throughout the album in English, Spanish and Irish, and each language sounds unbelievably smooth and rich. His voice is so lovely it doesn't even seem to matter what the words are, and you can find yourself just drifting along with the music and melody.

On the other hand, this is not a man who writes easy, fluffy lyrics. After all, Pol Mac Adaim hails from Belfast, and isn't afraid to tread on heavy ground. This CD has him singing about serious subjects from the Spanish Civil War, to 1916 Easter Revolution in Ireland to the situation in Palestine. This is a thinkers album to be sure, but those who just love good sound will enjoy it just as much. Please don't miss track 4, "The Snows" with a flute so dreamy you'll wish you could float away on the sound and never return.

Referred to by some as a sort of "revolutionary" or "people's voice" Pol Mac Adaim definately takes his heart and soul to the microphone with him and captures it well here on this album. The music remains simple, because the real highlight is the message and its delivery--both of which ring true here. While some music in this vein can get a little common and have a folk feel to it--this is different. It doesn't have the same grassroots feel to it--the sound is strong and the voice is sure and beautiful.

Buy the Album: "Forsaken Land"

--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Friday, August 11, 2006.
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