Celtic Music CD Reviews and Commentary
On this page we will be publishing our reviews of Celtic music CDs. Most, if not all, will be for local bands around Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania area really is a hotbed of music of all varieties and there are plenty of Irish and Celtic influenced bands in that mix. Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic states surrounding us are a premier area for local Celtic or Irish music in the United States.
To have us review your CD, go to the CONTACT US page and send us (The Celtic Giraffe) a copy at the address there. This site gets 1000+ hits per week so it may help your sales.
The commentary is done by Mark and Bill Jordan, who’s love for Celtic music exceeds their actual heritage. We’d love to hear your comments as well! We review these CD’s independently so any similar comments are pure luck.
Let’s get right to the the reviews!
Slainte,
Mark
Irish CD Reviews
Burning Bridget Cleary Review – “Everything is Alright”
Bill Says…
Everything is far better than alright in “Burning Bridget Cleary’s” latest offering. I’d say everything is quite excellent. I hadn’t heard of this group until recently, when they sent a courtesy copy of this CD to my brother for a listen, but I’d sure like to hear a lot more of them. They’d be a fantastic addition to the “Celtic Fling” at the Mount Hope Winery in Manheim Pa that takes place the last weekend in June each year, so I’m hoping they find their way to the grounds one day (do you hear me BBC?). It’s a fantastic venue (which I will sadly miss this year).
The CD begins with the Jimmy Leg Set, a series of traditional tunes that features some sweet violin harmonies, clean fiddling, and nice tempo changes. I think Jimmy’s legs were probably moving pretty well to this one. I know mine were. Great pub tune for sure.
Continue to “The Shearin’s No for You,” and listen to a pleasantly sung tune that adds tin whistle to the repertoire of instruments the band plays. This one had a bit of a “Blackmore’s Night” feel, and that’s not a bad thing. I don’t know which of the girls sings lead here, but while she does a nice job, her voice is not particularly strong, and I enjoyed the harmonies a bit more than the solo work.
“Peace and Plenty” does indeed invoke a state of peace, but it wasn’t nearly plentiful enough. I wanted more. The song features a gorgeous melody and some fine guitar that has a bit of a Spanish flare.
Take a journey to the Middle Eastern part of Ireland with “Saucy Sailor.” The girls’ harmonies are absolutely beautiful, and this is another tune that will get your feet to thinking for themselves. Be warned if you are listening to this while driving.
“The Faeries” is a fun song that is a bit reminiscent of “Peter, Paul, and Mary.” It also reminded me of some of the songs I used to hear on the tapes (yes, tapes) my children would listen to when they were very young. If you are having a bad day, this tune will make it better. I love the instrumentation of the chorus. I cannot listen to this song without feeling like I’m walking along a brook through a meadow filled with bubble-gum bushes and lollipop trees – and, of course, a faerie or two.
“Three Set,” the ninth selection, features more fine guitar picking and has a more contemporary sound. The song that follows, “Three O’ Clock,” is another less-traditional piece with more sweet strumming. It rocks more than the others, and I think I even picked up a bit of Harpsichord (or maybe just wishful thinking). I personally could have done without the organ (never a big “Doors” fan), but I’m sure others would be fine with it.
The vocalizations and background guitar on “Ah Tusa Shi/Killavil Jig” make this one of my favorites, though it also highlights the only real weakness I can cite with this group – that one of the girls has a markedly stronger and better-trained voice than the other.
The CD appropriately ends with another traditional tune, completing the construction of a delicious Celtic sandwich.
I’ve listened to this CD several times now, and each time, I’m struck by the versatility of the group and the variety in their selections. The traditional pieces demonstrate the strong link between the music of Ireland and early America (I couldn’t decide if I was on a hill overlooking a flock of sheep or sitting around a prairie campfire), while a number of less-traditional songs provide a welcome respite from the traditional, and exhibit the songwriting skills of the band as well as the influences of other world music. You’ll hear a bit of Italian, French, Spanish, and the previously mentiond Middle Eastern tones.
If you’re looking for a compilation you can stomp your feet to throughout, you might be disappointed, but what you will find here is plenty of music of the foot-stomping variety as well as some gorgeous slower melodies that give you a chance to catch your breath and admire the flexibility of the band. And you don’t get cheated on the number of songs either. You definitely get your money’s worth.
I think “Burning Bridget Cleary” has the ability to move in several different directions. I’d love to hear an album that is a little more Celtic Rock heavy, and maybe throw in a bagpipe now and then. Everything is indeed quite alright with “Burning Bridget Cleary.” Now if they would just burn a path to Manheim, PA…
Mark Says…
One thing about Celtic CD’s, it always seems you get your money’s worth, either with the amount of music on the CD or the variety. This CD is a good length and has a lot of variety. You can expect songs you’ll want to dance to and songs to cry to as well as some Spanish and bluegrass influences.
Much of the music is played by only three musicians (two fiddles and one guitar) so don’t expect a huge sound on every song. There are the two very young female vocalists and fiddlers, Gina Gillespie and Rose Baldino, along with Rose’s father, Lou, on guitar.
Additional instruments can be heard on a few songs, filling in the sound where there is a void. Several of the songs are original or original compositions. That information is inside the cover which is short and sweet.
All of the musicians are excellent on their instruments. They may not be the top Irish musicians or singers but excellent for sure and a pleasure to listen to.
Here are some notes on each song.
1. Jimmy Leg Set:
Winnie Hills of Leitrim/ Jimmy Leg/ Terry Kane
Instrumental. Nice harmonizing fiddles. A Bodhran would add some depth to these tunes, but for just three musicians the sound does seem a little larger than it should. These are simplistic songs with repetitive themes as many Irish songs are.
2. The Shearin’s No For You
This is a song of mostly guitar and voice, with added simple fiddle lines. The female voice here is very pleasant and gets the job done although not necessarily memorable. There is some added whistle on this traditional sounding tune. It’s a great song for cheering yourself up and feeling good. Some may get bored with it if played too much.
3. Bunch of Green Rushes
Poor Man’s Fortune
This is a lively number with a lot of nuances. There is some sharp and difficult fiddle playing to be heard. It sounds like a good background piece for an Irish landscape slideshow. This one definitely shows off the talent of the musicians.
4. Peace & Plenty
This starts slow and soft, and finishes that way, somewhat abruptly. It is a pleasant and sad song. There is very melodic fiddle playing from a skilled fiddler, with semi-Spanish sounding guitar accompaniment.
5. Saucy Sailor
There is not much to say about this one. It is one of the best on the CD and you’ll enjoy its gypsy-influenced sound. The female vocal harmonizing is excellent and added background instruments give this tune a richer sound.
6. The Faeries
This tune reminded me of Peter, Paul and Mary. It is an interesting story weaved into a light, whimsical number. At first you may think, “What is this?”, but it will grow on you. The singers had fun with this one. It is one of the few songs with a male vocal.
7. Cat’s Meow
Josie McDermott’s Reel
Instrumental. This is more traditional Irish music. It reminded me of the days when my daughter first started Irish Step Dance lessons. I could envision a bunch of little girls practicing their first steps to “Cat’s Meow.”
8. Rolling Hills/ Jester/ Phoenix
Instrumental. This one is somewhat traditionally influenced but with medieval and gypsy thrown into the mix. It is heroic and bold sounding at times. I found it quite different and well done.
9. Three Set:
Waram Patat/ Jean’s Reel/ Miss Shephard/ Mason’s Apron
Instrumental. I felt toe-tapping bluegrass on this one. It would be very happy background music for any occasion. Music like this is a good showcase of the talents of both fiddlers. Over 6 minutes long.
10. Three O’Clock
Instrumental. A very intriguing piece. This one sounds like a jazz piece mixed with Irish influences. Unusual style for a Celtic group but I did like it a lot. Short, at less than 3 minutes.
11. Autumn Lux Lucis
Instrumental. A haunting number. It is a sad fiddle ready to bring you memories of something in your past. You may be humming it long after the song is over, but don’t expect it to be a cheer-maker. (Sometimes we make up descriptive words in these reviews)
12. Ah Tusa Shi/ Killavil Jig
This is an original song that reminds one of medieval style vocals. It is not the most complex tune and perhaps not the best song on the CD, but it does contribute to the variety you will hear and speaks of the overall talent of this band.
13. Soldier, Soldier
Get ready for a cool staccato style tune. It has that Cotton-Eyed Joe feel and is very peppy. I loved the two complementary female voices. It’s a short traditional style song of less than 2 minutes. Make sure you listen to the words as the story is quite interesting.
Summary
I am personally glad to have this CD and it goes very nicely in any collection of Celtic recordings. This band can only become more popular if they stay together and on this path. This is a CD you will want to pick up if you are longing for something a little different in Celtic recordings and some new inspiration. Try to catch them at a festival too! We hope they end up doing more.
Barleyjuice Review – “The Barleyjuice Irish Collection”
Mark Says…
This double CD is a large collection of 32 songs. It is probably well worth the money because of that alone. Once you listen to this CD you will understand Barleyjuice! I have never seen them in concert, but will as soon as possible since this CD was a delightful surprise.
The songs on this CD reminded me of an Irish gathering with all the necessary drinking, dancing and shouting going on. Some of the songs themselves have shouting and laughing in the background. You can tell the singers and musicians have a lot of fun with these tunes.
I would describe this music as having “heavy” vocalization with the instruments taking a background to the lyrics and the singers voices. Don’t expect any show-offs on the instruments as that is not the point of this group. There are a few instrumentals but they are short. This is the kind of music you expect to hear at a quaint Irish pub that has beer soaked floors and a lot of “happy” people clapping.
You will hear varying vocal styles with different members doing the lead singing. According to the CD jacket the singers are Billy Dominick, Kyf Brewer, Eric Worthington, Gregor Schroeder and Swanny, which leaves only one member not listed as a vocalist! I am not sure who is considered the lead vocalist, if anyone. Expect the songs to sound different as different members take the lead vocals, although most of the songs are sung in a “rowdy Irish drinking” style or that contemplative “tragic Irish life” style.
Don’t confuse Barleyjuice for the type of party songs that Flogging Molly or the Dropkick Murphys play. This is more of the old fashioned style with many old Irish favorites appearing on the CD. They do a marvelous rendition of several of these old familiar tunes. These are simply good old fashioned Irish singing tunes done by some enthusiastic singers. I felt like getting up and doing a polka on more than one occasion. This would be good live music too!
Barleyjuice is not the most technologically sophisticated music or Irish group you will hear, but they are really fun to listen to. I caught myself tapping my toe on many occasions, and thinking of getting a beer out of the refrigerator or a shot of whiskey from the cabinet, especially during the song “Nancy Whiskey.”
I was reminded of the Waterboys on several songs and on others a slightly less noisy version of Flogging Molly. They carried similarities to those other groups but imparted their own unique style which I found to be well done. I was pleasantly surprised. One of the singers reminded me very much of the raspy lead singer of the Pogues from long ago. There was a song or two that reminded me of zydeco (listen to “Celtic Girl”). Others could have been on a Warren Zevon album. I was hearing all kinds of similarities on this compilation.
This 2 CD set will give anyone, Irish or not, a lot of listening pleasure and is a recommended purchase for your collection if you are looking for the old standbys, that are well done. I could have used a little more bagpipes in some of the songs, as I am a fan of that instrument. Don’t expect a lot of any one instrument, since the singing takes the forefront. Barleyjuice knows how to bring out the Irish in anyone. This really isn’t your “same old thing” type of Irish music that you might be expecting. Get your whiskey or beer ready and have a listen.
Bill Says…
“The BarleyJuice Irish Collection” is a compilation of the band’s first four releases. It features two discs, “A Night at the Pub” (which I’ll refer to as disc 1) and “The Morning After” (referred to from here on as disc 2). Appropriately, disc 1 is rather upbeat and “jiggy,” while disc 2 is a bit more serene and calming. I enjoyed them both.
Things didn’t start well for me, as the first tune on disc 1, “All for the Grog,” sounded much like what I’d suspect the early “Beetles” would have sounded like had they been Irish, and I’m not a huge fan of that band. But my disappointment was short-lived, especially once I hit track 3, “Nancy Drinks Tequila.” It’s the sort of tune that might set one about jigging and clapping through the room, if one had a predisposition for such behaviors. I don’t know who “Nancy” is, but she apparently enjoys her drink, as she appears again on track 11, “Nancy Whiskey,” which features some nice fiddle work.
Like many Irish songs, the lyrics should not be ignored, and the songs “What’s up Yours” and “Potatoes” are particularly entertaining. The band features numerous vocalists, and while none would win a singing competition, all are very capable, and the variety keeps the compilation interesting. If you don’t like the sound of one particular singer, just wait until the next track.
All of the traditional Irish instruments except the conspicuously absent bodhran are here, all handled competently well. “Misty Mornings Miss’d” is a beautiful little guitar piece that begins disc 2, a tune that’s just right for waking to after a night of hard pubbing. I wish it had been a little longer. In addition to the original tunes, some classics like “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Wild Rover” appear, and like the other tracks in the collection, they are nicely performed with the appropriate amount of energy.
On the negative side, in addition to the aforementioned missing bodhran, the sound-mixing isn’t the best. All was well when listening with headphones on the computer, but when I plopped disc 1 into the car CD player, it sounded rather muffled and uninspiring. Also, if your preference is for female vocals, you won’t find them here.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this collection. One of the occasional complaints about this sort of music is that it all sounds the same, but that’s not a valid observation for this work. Not only are the songs themselves rather varied, but as previously noted, having numerous vocalists keeps the collection fresh. The performances are competent, and the band’s enjoyment of the music is evident. The sound is mostly traditional, so if you’re looking for something different in the Celtic realm, look elsewhere. But I think “The Barleyjuice Irish Collection” is an excellent addition to any portfolio of Irish music, as it features not only great tunes to party to but great tunes to simply listen to as well. Definitely recommended.
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