by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Fiddler's Green
Album: "Drive Me Mad!"
Year produced: 2007

If you find it odd that a band from Germany can serve up some Irish "speedfolk" music with the best of them, you aren't alone--but the fact remains, Fiddler's Green does just that. Around now for over 17 years, this is a band that can hold its own, even switching out a player here and there without losing their sound. People have referred to their sound as a sort of ska/Celtic folk, which fits well--but can't really sum the band up entirely.

The clever, light humor in many Irish traditional-style tunes is present here and mixes well with the heavy groove of the band, presenting "punk" sounds--Celtic style. Fans of The Pogues or Flogging Molly will love this sound. Interestingly, you'll also hear some vocal harmonies here that are typically an unusual sound to come forth in this type of music--but it really works.Twenty tracks make this CD a no-brainer in terms of an investment.

Right from the first track, "Irish Air" everything is off to a great start, and the pleasure doesn't stop there. Don't miss track 14, "(You) Drive Me Mad" with its irresistible rhythm. Really, this was a great CD from start to finish, layered with different sounds but laced together with unstoppable energy all the way through.


Buy the Album: "Drive Me Mad!"

---

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 Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.