Review: "Tri" by Haggis Rampant

Posted on by

Artist: Haggis Rampant

Album: Tri
Year produced: 2007

This third CD by a father/daughter team is aptly named “Tri,” which is “three” in Scottish. The group is made up of three people: Steve and Gillian Brownlee on the pipes and Pam on the bodhran and Scottish marching bass. It is also the third effort that the group has collaborated on, and any fan of the pipes is sure to enjoy this album, as well as the others that this group has collaborated on. You’ll hear Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace, and High Road to Gairloch among the tunes represented here–each with their own flavor.

The lovely harmonies keep this CD fresh and alive and the combination of two pipers adds energy to the songs as well. While the arrangements aren’t earth-shatteringly different, they work very well and are expertly played. Things don’t have to be modern to be done nicely. As a matter-of-fact, sometimes its refreshing to hear traditional songs just updated slightly and played with confidence. The twelve tracks all have that air about them.

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Don’t just download. Support your favorite Celtic music groups. Buy Celtic music CDs.

Review: "Clement Street" by The Gas Men

Posted on by

Artist: The Gas Men

Album: Clement Street
Year produced: 2008

Are you looking to stock up on Irish tunes? How ’bout a whole huge CD of them! The Gas Men have that here with twenty–count ‘em–twenty tracks! There is a real stew of music on the CD, and you’ll find vocal tracks, Irish dance music and more–a real mixture. Ballads, jigs and all the good stuff. Trying to keep track of the band members and instruments that they play is dizzying, so it’s best here to just kick back and enjoy the entertainment.

Energetic polka music gives some zing, while the thoughtful arrangement on tracks such as on track 4, “Argentina” lend a softer edge to the album. The band plays tightly and you can tell that they’ve been around for a while because it sounds like it all comes so easy. Starting off with their own version of “Jug of Punch” and finishing up with a fancy, tongue-twister called “The Lilting Gas Men,” this is an enjoyable collection of good solid Irish music.

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Don’t just download. Support your favorite Celtic music groups. Buy Celtic music CDs.

Review: "Irish Makeover" by Skully

Posted on by

Artist: Skully

Album: IRISH Makeover
Year produced: 2008

Well, well! An Irish makeover indeed it is! You can take traditional songs and redo them, but it typically doesn’t turn out well unless there is an overall vision for doing so. There is here. Right off the bat with track 1, “Molly Malone” you hear a new sound that works. I bet you didn’t think this song could sound “cutting edge”…but it can, and does here. And the vocals are as smooth as butter. The electronic feel to some of the tracks might throw hardcore traditionalists, but for those who like to mix things up a bit, they’ll be right on target.

Once known for being part of the band Metisse, this man ventures out now into new territory with Irish Makeover. Care has been taken here to retain the depth of emotion that goes with the traditional songs, but they have been updated and arranged for today’s listener. This is a new look at the old stuff. And it’s really, really great. Some don’t miss tracks include Blackbird, Scarborough Fair and Red Is The Rose. It’s an interesting take on traditional music with a clearly modern edge.

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Don’t just download. Support your favorite Celtic music groups. Buy Celtic music CDs.

Silver Spire – “Epiphany”

Posted on by

Artist: Silver Spire

Album: Epiphany
Year produced: 2008

You’ll be glad to know that not only is the fiddle alive and well, but it’s tremendous here on “Epiphany”. Celtic flavor spills over into all the songs here, although there are plenty of other influences as well. You’ll hear some bluegrass, folk and even a bit of gospel peppered throughout this fine CD. Flute, whistle, guitar, ukulele and percussion instruments round out the offerings here, but the fiddle is front and center for the ride.

There is something nice and old-fashioned about the mood of this album. It seems content to play the good stuff with no need to go modern or spin a terribly unusual arrangement out of thin air. That said, it is meant as a compliment. Traditional sounds are hard to master, and authenticity is often lost in the process. Not here.

The opening and closing tracks were actually my favorites, but there is plenty in-between to enjoy as well. The ten tracks offer just enough to savor, but not so many songs that you tire of the sound. A perfect sampling of the considerable talents of this band.

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Don’t just download. Support your favorite Celtic music groups. Buy Celtic music CDs.

"Pour Me Another" by Doug Folkins

How do you describe Doug Folkins? A little bit of Great Big Sea mixed in with a little bit of Blue Rodeo. He’s energetic, playful, fun…and that’s only the beginning. Folkins can go from traditional Maritime reels, to driving sing along tunes, to songs with emoiton and poise. He’s simply…amazing.

Hometown: Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada
Website: Doug Folkins
Download MP3: Pour Me Another

Similar Artists: Great Big Sea, Stan Rogers, The Mahones

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Don’t just download. Support your favorite Celtic music groups. Buy Celtic music CDs. Join Song Henge.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.8MB) | Embed