CELTIC MUSIC CD-REVIEWS
September 2009
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
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THE IRISH DESCENDANTS Encore: Best of Volume 2
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Newfoundland's Irish Descendants have just released their eleventh album entitled Encore: Best of The Irish Descendants. It features 15 tracks from previous CD releases from 1991-2007.
The Descendants have done a super job of picking some favourite songs for this album. These include: Sally Brown; Misty Morning Shore; Rollin' off the Sea; Useta Love Her; Lark In The Morning; Will They Live There Evermore; Irish Rover; Step Out Mary; Providence Reel/Castle Kelly/The Humours of Tulla and Mickey Relligan's Pup, to name a few.
There isn't a bad song in the bunch and Con O'Brien adds that clarity, depth and passion that's needed for Celtic music. I believe that Encore is one of The Irish Descendants' best CDs to date.
There is an unconfirmed rumour that The Descendants may be headed west in 2010 - if they are, don't miss their show.
To purchase Encore and for more information about The Irish Descendants, see: www.irishdescendants.com.
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IRISH PIRATE BALLADS
and other Songs of the Sea
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This CD is a Smithsonian Folkways recording and on these CDs there is always a great deal of information about the artist with lyrics for each song.
If an artist or presenter of folk music doesn't give some background about the origin of the song, then you're left wondering. The Clancy Brothers were always very good at explaining to the audience the origin of the song. When you had that information then the song became more personal.
Pirates, shanghaiers, slavers, and smugglers are just some of the central characters in this album of lusty, authentic maritime songs; others are ardent patriots, hard-pressed immigrants, and weathered sailors sheltering in the taverns of the seven seas.
All are midway between some dicey spot in life and an uncertain future. Their compelling stories of bold adventure are excitingly re-told here by an all-star crew of Irish singers and musicians led by vocalist/author Dan Milner.
Featuring an impressive array of guest musicians and singers, including Joanie Madden of Cherish the Ladies; John Doyle of Solas; Tim Collins of the renowned Kilfenora Ceili Band; All-Ireland champion fiddler Brian Conway; Robbie O'Connell and Susan McKeown, Irish Pirate Ballads captures centuries of tradition and the revelry, mischief, tales of love and caution that characterize nautical life.
To purchase this CD or for more information, visit: www.folkways.si.edu.
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