When I stumble upon a fantastic band with something to show I don’t hesitate. I get my iPad and blog away! Time is of the essence and people need to know. I like how the band Creeds Cross are stomping their way into our musical consciousness with their own style of Paddy Rock(the fusion of Rock and Traditional with a twist). I think this music is geared towards the weekend crowd when all you want to do is listen to great tunes and party. Music is a community affair and people from across generations know this. The style and volume might have changed over the years, but the essence is still the same.
The music video is very attractive as it focuses on the essence of what it is to be a band playing great Irish tunes in a contemporary arrangement. Being a fan of rock music myself, I can really spot the authenticity in their attitude. And the other part of me who celebrates the beauty of Irish music thinks this is a fantastic find. A musical pot of gold.
This is just a taster of what,s to come from the band. This song is from the
new album “Gods & Fighting Men Out on worldwide release March 3rd. The first single is called The Irish Band. I enjoyed every bit of that song!
I think that the decision for the placement of Salsa O’Keefe by Black 47 as the opening track of The new album Last Call( and perhaps their final one before disbanding later this year) celebrates their years in the music world as the one and only band that fuses Irish and Reggae while maintaining that Punk Rock energy. Wow the last one? You mean to say that perhaps we will never get to hear them together again? But knowing how passionate these guys are, I am sure we will hear them in various incarnations. I guess it is not easy to carry a huge band like this especially in this changing landscape of the music industry. Maybe these questions will be answered once I hear from the main guy Larry Kirwan.
Last Call could be the unapologetic tongue in cheek take on what it means to be Irish in New York city. But when I read the press release it says here that : , (Last Call)explores the life and psyche of Irish playwright, Brendan Behan, model for Shane McGowan and a host of Celtic rockers. No wonder I feel that poetic passion all over the songs. Culchie Prince features a fantastic uilleann pipe, tin whistle and a whole bunch of traditional Irish instruments on top of what could be one for the greatest modern rock song in history.
Let the People In celebrates diversity and explores themes covering immigration. You check out the lyrics because I know this will stir up that patriotic string in your heart and reminds us the reasons why America is called the land of the free. There are thirteen songs and every song has its ‘style’ to show. It closes with an interesting cover of Stephen Foster’s Hard Times. Like I said this could be the last album you will hear from this legendary band so better grab your copies. We fans keep the music alive!
Press release:
‘LAST CALL’ for BLACK 47
“On ‘Last Call’, Black 47 serves a 200 proof cocktail made with a shot of funk and two fingers of Irish malarkey thrown in for good measure. Larry Kirwan saves the best for last, using roots, rock, and reggae to bring the final curtain down on the most influential Irish American band in history.”
Mike Farragher, The Irish Voice
In November 1989, Ed Koch was serving out the last days of his mayoralty and an earthquake had recently hit the World Series in San Francisco when Black 47 set out for its first gig in the Bronx. After 2500 shows and 14 CDs the “house band of New York City” will disband in November 2014 exactly 25 years later. Rather than resting on any laurels, Black 47 will release its final album, Last Call on Feb. 25th.
“We decided to go out when we’re ahead and, as always, on our own terms,” said leader, Larry Kirwan. “The band has never sounded better so why not record some songs and explore new ground.”
That they do, the lead track Salsa O’Keefe rips into a Rock-Salsa groove while describing the sassy daughter of an inter-racial couple from Bayamón, Puerto Rico and Cultimagh, Co. Mayo. Always interested in filling the dance floor, Black 47 explores the world of EDM in Dublin Days, a hymn to lost love and international student exchange.
On The Night The Showbands Died Kirwan looks back at a hero, Fran O’Toole, killed in the 1975 Miami Showband massacre in Northern Ireland. While the band takes no prisoners in US of A 2014, a state of the union Rap-Rock anthem, and Let The People In – a demand for more logical & humane immigration laws.
Black 47, a pioneer of rock biography songs, explores the life and psyche of Irish playwright, Brendan Behan, model for Shane McGowan and a host of Celtic rockers. Oona Roche, niece of The Roches, makes a vital debut on Johnny Comes a’Courtin a Reggae account of a young woman exiled by Oliver Cromwell to the sugar plantations of the Caribbean. But overall Last Call is a testament to the band’s belief in Rock ‘n Roll redemption as they swagger along on Culchie Prince, Queen of Coney Island, and Shanty Irish Baby until they round off the album with an uplifting version of Stephen Foster’s Hard Times – fitting enough given Kirwan’s recent success with his musical about the father of American music.
Formed by Chris Byrne an NYPD detective and Kirwan, a playwright, Black 47 – who took their name from the worst year of the Irish Potato Famine – caused an immediate stir by introducing original music and political context into the Irish bar scene. “It was a bracing sound, we were setting Irish jigs and reels to Hip-Hop beats, singing about James Connolly and Michael Collins, while creating pub anthems like Livin’ in America and 40 Shades of Green.” Soon Black 47 was signed to EMI Records, Funky Ceili lit up FM Radio and MTV, and the band became a feature on Leno, Letterman and O’Brien.
Geoff Blythe (saxophones), Fred Parcells (trombone/whistle) & Thomas Hamlin (drums) are the other three original members. Joseph Mulvanerty (uilleann pipes/bodhran) joined when Chris Byrne left in 2000, and Joseph “Bearclaw” Burcaw (bass) came aboard in 2007. All members add their own spin to the arrangements of the songs from Last Call, described by Kirwan as “a very up, horn driven, celebration of American and Irish life.” Then again, that’s what Black 47 has always been about. It should be a great final year for “the only band that matters,” as their friend Joe Strummer once described them.
When I write a post about an album I am usually stuck in my bedroom relishing every divine note that comes out of each speaker. Today I did something different. I took the album with me as I made my way across the city, relishing the atmosphere of productivity and randomness. Guess what. It made a big difference. There are two types of music: Private and public. Celtic rock is always the ‘out there’ kind of music. Such energy has to be unleashed and I think that’s what all the guys in the band want. They want listeners to enjoy themselves while listening to the music.
There is no slowing the down the creative guys behind the Barleyjuice. I like the sound of the new album This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.I know what to expect and so much more. Yes there are differences as well as evolution of their music but it is still them: energetic, catchy and utterly exciting.
The album has ten original songs. Most of them are rock oriented. With the exception of Lost On a Foggy Afternoon which I think is their finest instrumental track. It’s magical and very visual. Parish Jig is also fantastic.
Sheets to the Wind (part1)”Let’s go down to Whiskey Town”… is my favorite because of the vocals and the fiddle. I can listen to it the whole week and I can’t imagine getting tired of it. This is my ‘mainstream top 40’ kind of tune. I am not surprise if this song makes it to college radio one of these days.
This is not to say that the rest aren’t as good as this song. It really depends upon your mood. And this one happens to be played while I was out and about. So it captures that spirit. This album has elements of punk, ska, pop and folk. It has things that you will love. It’s like Bailey’s on a cool Friday night.
Barleyjuice performs St. Patrick’s Day from their latest CD “THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS”
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Press release from Barleyjuice:
BARLEYJUICE
Officially Releases Seventh Album
“THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS”
To tour US and Ireland
While on the road for three years performing their critically acclaimed album, ‘Skulduggery Street’, Barleyjuice managed to record a new collection of music along the way. They are now officially releasing their seventh album ‘THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS’. With the start of the New Year they are ready to bring their brand of excitement back to the stage.
In an article for the Irish Voice, writer Mike Farragher noted “The band’s shows are the stuff of fiery, sweaty folklore, with beer splashing, glasses clinking and arms flailing. These new songs will be more fodder for the proverbial musical cannon, right from the opening number.”
On how the album, got its name and the direction they chose, Band lead singer Kyf Brewer says, “We were in the van on the road to somewhere, where a multitude of apt and clever sayings were being bandied back and forth. When it [the title] got a chuckle from [band mate] Swanny, we knew it was meant to be. There’s no conceptual thread to these songs. Really just more of what we do best, done better. We’re at the point with the band where the only challenge left is to write a new song that’s as good as the last favorite without sounding too much like it! Same with the covers. Just keep the creative edge sharp.”
This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things is Barleyjuice’s contains ten new songs from band members Kyf Brewer, Keith Swanson, and Eric Worthington and two covers from Gillian Welch, Mike Nesmith, Carole King and Jerry Goffin.
After almost two years, French band The Maggie Whackers are back with a new EP called Naoned Whisky. And yes they are from Nantes France. A great place of music! Drunken Sailor is timely because it’s a decade of the mainstream’s fascination with Pirate movies and tunes. There are strong Breton elements in their songs especially in Sans Regrets Sans Remords which is my favorite track due to its beautiful use of the bombarde. Fucking Goblins show their punk side. I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Everyday is shocking with its tenderness and melancholic melody. Burn in Hell showcases the joint forces of traditional Breton instrument and Clash-inspired guitar playing.
Naoned Whisky is the testament to the band’s continuing energy. Their songwriting has evolved since the release of their self-titled EP. They have great sense of musical and visual style. I am sure their live shows are really entertaining. Listen below and go to http://themaggiewhackers.bandcamp.com/album/naoned-whisky to buy the album.
For bookings and any question:
The Maggie Whackers
06 33 72 49 44
themaggiewhackers@gmail.com
Sharon Corr-We Could Be Lovers
Brishen-Live at the Victoria International JazzFest 2013_ “Coquette”
Bachue-Rumble Thy Bellyful
Jacob McCauley-December 2010 Concert Part 6_ Bodhrán Solo
Moya Brennan-Sailing (radio edit)
Jack Raven’s whores-Bad Trip
The High Kings-Gucci
Arctic Monkeys-Arabella
Beth Orton-Something More Beautiful
J.P. Kallio-Too Late to Say
Fiona Joy Hawkins-The Journey (600 Years in a Moment)
Rebecca Brandt-The Moment
Fleet Foxes-English House
I’ve just finished watching the new music video by the ‘other sister’ of The Corrs, Sharon Corr. It’s called We Could Be Lovers. I got insomnia and instead of being useless, I decided to open my laptop and see what the rave is all about. I admit I was thinking this post should go to my other blog because the song is more pop than Celtic. But The Corrs have always been pop even though they introduced Traditional Irish music in their subsequent albums. I was expecting to see her playing the fiddle in this video but I know that she doesn’t need to prove that. What she is trying to prove is that she can actually sing. And she has a beautiful voice!
The video features Corr in a sultry image trying to seduce a ‘tamed’ Irish guy. The lyrics show that longing for the possibility to be in a relationship with someone who seems to be preoccupied with his goals in life and has little time for intimacy. But in the end of the video, our beautiful Irish chanteuse proves that she wins. The track has that bouncy folk style that is acoustic guitar driven.
Of all the sisters, I find Sharon Corr to be the most attractive and sweet. It is great to see her touring and promoting the new album “The Same Sun.” American fans will get to see her perform at the Aladdin theater on February 23, courtesy of 67 Music.
Celtic Music Fan 