If you like traditional music played in a nontraditional manner than you need to take a look at Sgian Dubh, a rocking band based out of Georgia.  With a wide range of musical backgrounds stretching from rock, country, bluegrass, Celtic, punk and folk, Sgian Dubh delivers a unique interpretation of some of the traditional songs we’ve come to know and love.  On their latest album, “Frightening All the Dogs,” they focus on many pub favorites as well as capturing some of their enormous energy on two additional cuts recorded from one of their live shows. 

 Two of my favorite songs on the album are Leaving of Liverpool and Rocky Road to Dublin.  In both cases, these songs do not stray too far from many of the traditional versions one can hear, but instead are given slight alterations in tempo and instrumentations that give the songs an incredibly fresh sound.  For example, many times Leaving of Liverpool is played slowly to highlight the sadness of leaving a loved one, but here Sgian Dubh ups the tempo just slightly – giving it more of a feel of hopefulness that the lovers will in truth be reunited.  Likewise, Rocky Road to Dublin is simply arranged in more of a rock manner that is sure to please.  Other traditional songs on the album are Wild Rover, Johnny Jump Up, Whiskey You’re the Devil, and a medley of John Ryans Polka/ Hills of Connemara/I’ll Tell Me Ma.

Additionally, on the album is an original of there’s written by Bruce Roberts, their percussionist and whistle player, entitled Mariner’s Lament; a folk-rock fusion tune highlighting the dangers of the sea and the sailors’ vulnerability on the open water.  While the mix is a little muddy at points, it is still a pleasant song to listen to with a driving rhythmic beat and the energetic vocals of Susan Cates.

 Overall, the album is well worth a listen and with two wonderful live tracks added on at the end you can’t go wrong.

 Artist:  Sgian Dubh

 Album: Frightening All the Dogs

Stephen Mc Sweeney is a High School English/Drama teacher.  Besides writing for the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, he enjoys acting, writing and playing Celtic music.  He can be seen as one of the members of the band Terrible Musicians, where he plays percussion and mandolin. 

Multi-instrumentalist and singer, Jesse Ferguson, known as The Bard of Cornwall, certainly defies the sophomore slump with his second cd “The Parting Glass,” first released in November 2011.  This album is a wonderful collection of ballads, sea shanties and drinking songs, mostly of Irish, Scottish, Canadian, and American origin.  As the title suggests, each song deals with some type of parting which gives the album a nice sense of unity.

The album begins with Farewell to Nova Scotia followed up by Loch Lomond.  Both songs help to establish the tenor of the album and feature a blending of Ferguson’s musicianship, especially his mandolin playing.  In both songs he uses the mandolin to highlight parts of the melody and give the songs a nice full sound.  Other well known songs that are featured here are The Bonnie Ship the Diamond, The Rocky Road to Dublin, The Fields of Athenry, and of course the title track, The Parting Glass.  All of which maintain their roots but are flowered a new by Ferguson’s instrument choices and composition.

Furthermore, an original song of The Bard of Cornwall, The Sun Sets on My Love, is also recorded on this album.  The song itself is well written and is a heartfelt composition that appears to follow much in the tradition of his predecessors.  As the title implies, it is about the loss of a loved one but the endurance of the emotions even after the passing.

“The Parting Glass” is a beautiful collection of songs artfully put together by The Bard of Cornwall – from the old traditional songs to the new.

Artist: Jesse Ferguson

Buy Album: The Parting Glass

Stephen Mc Sweeney is a High School English/Drama teacher.  Besides writing for the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, he enjoys acting, writing and playing Celtic music.  He can be seen as one of the members of the band Terrible Musicians, where he plays percussion and mandolin. 

It is a high-powered, eclectic effort that seems to be ready to take off and go anywhere at any moment. From the first track Church of the Holy Spook the album is off and running, and keeps that fast pace going for my favorite song on here: an arrangement of Nancy Whiskey. The traditional songs are handled well, and many props have to be given to him for choosing rarely heard songs like, The Rising of The Moon, and Roddy MacCorley. While Aisling, The Snake With Eyes Of Garnet, and the bawdy Donegal Express sound like they could be traditional. The best of them has to be Song With No Name; with its traditional sound, and MacGowan’s rough voice the song is a heartbreaker. However, there’s plenty of rock proper with that That Woman’s Got Me Drinking, and Victoria.

It is a fine album, and remarkably innovative in a way that I’d never thought I’d see in Celtic music. If Tom Waits or Ian Dury were Irish, I’m fairly sure this is what their albums would sound like. Go and buy the album, but it is explicit. Unless you want impressionable folks to learn things then keep it in the car. Don’t play it around kids (unless you are very liberal), your parents (unless they are very liberal), or Methodists (unless it’s me but I’ve heard the album already). Just a fair warning, but go and buy the album anyway.

Artist: Shane MacGowan and The Popes

Album: The Snake

Similar Artists: The Pouges (no kidding), Flogging Molly, Great Big Sea, Ian Dury, Tom Waits

Gail Rybak is an occasional writer, artist, Avon Lady, and she helps run Amelia’s Heirlooms. She is also a full-time geek and cat owner, and enjoys writing for Celtic Music Magazine. She fully expects to be propelled to fame and fortune after writing a review about someone who hobnobs with Johnny Depp and had his own reality TV special.

This group of musicians comes from New York City, and more specifically NYU led by Professor Mick Moloney.  Many of the members are candidates of Ethnomuiscology and other veteran musicians.  There are also several guest musicians on this album, including Don Meade, Donie Carroll, Louise Sullivan, Liz Hanley, and Daniel Neely.  Professor Moloney even performs on the track “The Night Pat Murphy Died”

There is certainly a feel of nostalgia with the songs, more specifically the early part of the last century – currently popular to the likes of the shows Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire.  Different song styles are performed, and not one sounds the same.  The title track “Since Maggie Dooley Learned the Hooley Hooley” and “Arrah, Come in Out of the Rain, Barney McShane” are intensely fun tracks that I cannot stop listening too.

Jigs, reels, and waltzes populate the album as well.  “Dermot Grogan’s Favorite/ The Cappataggle” is a fun waltz that is hum inducing, while “Miss McGuinness/Tom Peoples/ The Torn Jacket” reels make you want to dance.  All in all, I can’t wait for more from this group of musicians

Artist: The Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra

Album: Since Maggie Dooley Learned the Hooley Hooley

Hometown: NYU, New York, New York

Similar Artists: Mick Moloney, Don Meade, Donie Carroll, Louise Sullivan, Liz Hanley, Daniel Neely, Green Fields of America, At the Racket

Romana Guillotte is a Film School Graduate and terribly average cellist that currently lives in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to writing reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Magazine, she moonlights as a barista when not volunteering at film festivals. She self-published her first novel Lydia’s Family in 2006 and is working on her second.

Faerydae are a band that do things a little differently. Rather than playing straight-up Celtic music, they make use of many different folk music influences, from several countries. This is noticeable in their use of exotic instruments, such as the didgeridoo (not entirely a novelty in Celtic music), and comes across particularly well in a song like The Fiery Warlocks, which is almost experimental.

Going by the rest of the album, the band’s name is aptly chosen, because listening to it is like being in a fairy tale, with the fabulous harp and flute play. On the other hand, I’m not sure where the title Changeling comes from, because to be honest, after listening to a number of the tracks in a row, the music starts to sound a bit “samey”.

That’s not to say it’s bad music, just that perhaps this particular album isn’t for listening to in one go. But you’d do well to include the tracks in a larger playlist that you put on shuffle, to listen to while you work, for instance. I do hope we’ll hear more of Faerydae, and that they’ll branch out to explore more world music.

Artist: Faerydae
Buy Album: Changeling

Jan Jacob Mekes has a passion for history, writing, and writing history (and music, of course). He is the author of fantasy novel Struglend Tales, and writes reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Albannach brings us their third studio album in the form of “Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums”. Consisting of a Championship winning piper, a main drummer, bass drummers and bodhran musicians, Albannach is not your “Run of the Mill” Pipe and Drum band.  The album opens with the tune, “Bare Arsed Bandits”, which is not only a great track but also one befitting of Albannach’s energies and dispositions.

Having seen Albannach live a number of times, they approach their music and live performances with a tenacity and ferocity that is unmatched by most.  This album funnels all of that energy into it and is topped off with a very nice polish, in regard to its production work, to deliver a powerful and driving album.

“Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums” lives up to its name. In true Albannach fashion, it leaves you wanting more! If when, you have finished listening to this album, you don’t believe you bleed Blue and White… well then it’s very likely have not listened to “Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums”.

Band: Albannach
Album: Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums

Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Similar Artists:  Wicked Tinkers, The Rogues, Clann An Drumma, Barbarian Pipe Band

The Grinning Beggar (Phil) hosts a monthly Celtic Music Podcast, which explores Celtic Music in all its various genres from traditional to heavy metal.  When not Podcasting, you can find Phil enjoying the company of his family, exploring new music or trying to further his understanding of the Irish Tenor Banjo.  As of recently Phil has been trying to expand his horizons, which includes reviewing albums for Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3.org. For more information on the Grinning Beggar Celtic Music Podcast please visit www.grinningbeggar.webs.com.

Wow! This album has the feel of a full-fledged stage production. There’s a lot going on here–but I mean that in the best possible way. Some artists try for the rich sound that comes from combining rock music with other styles. Often it doesn’t work. Here, it is pure magic.

Ancient melodies and powerful rock pulse are married flawlessly on Satyricon, and it makes for a mystical, interesting journey as you listen to the tracks here. I really could picture someone using it as a “rock opera” type production and staging it. The way the tracks are arranged it has that type of feel to it. It sounds like a cool fairy tale set to music. There is a palpable sense of drama about it all. The track, “Satyricon” is a perfect example of what I’m trying to describe here.

Listening to this album has that “going on a journey” type feel where you are transported rather than observing. There is a flow here that makes sense. Some music is great to have on in the background, be it to cheer you up, relax you or get you motivated. MaterDea has put forth something that should be attended to. It is the experience itself, rather than part of the experience. I’d like to hear this again, but in candlelight and quiet, where I can concentrate on every nuance and let it wash over me.

This was an unexpected treat.

Artist: MaterDea
Album: Satyricon

Hometown: Torino, Italy
Similar Artists: Evanescence, Nightwish, Blackmore’s Night, John Whelan

Catherine L. Tully specializes in writing about the arts, lifestyle and travel. She is the Owner of 4dancers, a blog for those who love dance, and Editor for Freelance-Zone, an award-winning site for freelance writers. Catherine also reviews music for Celtic Music Magazine.

Sanctuary is a bit of an unconventional album. In the first place because it’s a charity album, benefiting victims of domestic violence in Ireland. That in itself is very commendable, but like any charity album, the fact that it helps other people in itself isn’t enough; the music needs to be good as well, if only to get people to buy the album.

Sanctuary’s true uniqueness comes out the moment you start listening to it. From start to finish, it feels like you’re submerged in a warm bath, like a protective sanctuary offering refuge, which is very appropriate to the cause the album is supporting. This is achieved by music that’s rather different than your average Celtic music, taking cues from various genres.

Haunting might be the best way to describe it, but then only in the most positive sense of the word. It’s how I would describe Mary Caughlan’s Still in Love, a song that seems particularly apt regarding the subject matter. Another powerful performance is that of soprano Cara O’Sullivan, whose Angels Guard Thee almost moved me to tears. But it’s hard to pick one favourite here. Sanctuary is an album you simply have to experience. You’ll feel good listening to it, not only in the knowledge that you supported a worthy cause, but also because this music is just mighty fine.

Artist: Various Artists
Buy Album: Sanctuary

Jan Jacob Mekes has a passion for history, writing, and writing history (and music, of course). He is the author of fantasy novel Struglend Tales, and writes reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

I’ll let you know right now–I really like this guy.

My first exposure to Jimi McRae (aka, Jimi the Piper) was a collaborative effort, where he was teamed with Sam Okoo for a CD that had a world music feel. I really liked that CD.

This album has elements of world music in it as well, and you’ll hear instruments that aren’t traditionally Scottish, such as the djembe on the tracks here and there. Yet, overall the power and majesty of the pipes permeates and makes this a great collection of tunes for those who love that strong, certain sound.

I have heard precious few CDs with pipes on them I didn’t like, but some are admittedly better than others. This is on the high end of the plus side–and McRae definitely knows his way around this instrument. I wouldn’t have thought that world music and pipes would be all that compatible, but it definitely works here, as it did on the CD with Okoo. The arrangements are carefully done to make sure that the sound comes off smoothly–he’s figured out the recipe to make this combination work. What could be jarring is interesting instead as he explores a range of sounds and styles. McRae has found himself a unique niche and filled it well.

Favorites on the album include the Queen’s Piper Medley, Evan Macrae’s Set and the title track–Global Gathering. If you are looking to add a truly original CD to your collection, this would qualify in a heartbeat. I’ve never heard anything quite like McRae, and I doubt I will down the line. Some people just see things differently and it comes out when they play. It’s the mark of a true artist, and I can say with conviction that Jimi the Piper fits in that category.

With 14 tracks — all a decent length — this is a great album for those looking to expand their musical horizons without getting too experimental. A nice blend of world music feel with traditional Scottish flavor and big sound.

Artist: Jimi McRae
Album: Global Gathering

Hometown: Scotland
Similar Artists: Winnipeg Police Pipe Band

Catherine L. Tully specializes in writing about the arts, lifestyle and travel. She is the Owner of 4dancers, a blog for those who love dance, and Editor for Freelance-Zone, an award-winning site for freelance writers. Catherine also reviews music for Celtic Music Magazine.

If you love piano music, then this is something you should own, and if you love Irish music, this will undoubtedly help round out your collection. J.J. Sheridan has put forth a beautiful group of piano music tracks here that will delight you. It has a beautiful rendition of Danny Boy that isn’t to be missed. I haven’t heard many versions of that song without words that I’ve enjoyed, but this is definitely among them.

Accepted on scholarship to the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin in his teens, this talented pianist brings a feel to the CD that only an experienced musician can. The nuances you hear infuse emotion into each track without seeming forced. Indeed, the command of his chosen instrument is subtle, yet unmistakable; something that happens when playing is simply second nature. In fact, Sheridan is considered one of Ireland’s leading pianists, so I’m not alone in that assessment I’m sure.

Other favorites on the CD include She Moved Through the Fair and The Kerry Dances, but truthfully each track is excellent here. There is definitely a classical feel to the arrangements, yet they still retain their Irish charm. With 12 tracks offered, there is plenty to hear, and all of it is of the highest caliber.

The music runs over you like water, relaxing, soothing and pleasing all at the same time. I have to say that I don’t think it is really background music, as Sheridan is simply too good to be pushed to the side. Rather it’s music you can focus on and enjoy, and it doesn’t take a musician to know that this man is talented. There’s nothing quite like listening to someone who is an expert at their chosen art.

This CD certainly qualifies.

Artist: J.J. Sheridan
Album: Irish Piano Classics

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Similar Artists: Phil Coutter, James Galway

Catherine L. Tully specializes in writing about the arts, lifestyle and travel. She is the Owner of 4dancers, a blog for those who love dance, and Editor for Freelance-Zone, an award-winning site for freelance writers. Catherine also reviews music for Celtic Music Magazine.