Reviewed by Cindy Reich, Celtic Connection, July, 2007The worst thing you could ever say about a dance band is that they stuck the feet of the dancers to the floor. There is no chance of that happening listening to Dave Munnelly”s new album, “By Heck”. In fact it makes one look around for a hard floor and a dancing partner from the first notes of the 20″s ceilidh style beginnings of the first cut, “Cuckoo”s Nest/Silver Spire” And, in fact, he took this arrangement from John J Kimmell”s 1915 recording of the “Cuckoo”s Nest”. It has great bounce, lift and energy. There are jigs, reels and barndances galore on this recording. It has such a lovely early 20th century feel to the instrumentals ” intentionally so, as Munnelly draws not only on Kimmell, but also the Flanagan Brothers. In fact, Joe Flanagan had a very similar fast, staccato style of melodeon playing. “Kimmell’s Jigs” (The Lark in the Mountain/Devlin”s Favorite/The Cordial Jig) retain that 30″s style. However, things get a bit jazzy and swingy with the title track, “By Heck”. I especially like the soprano sax by one of the masters of the instrument in Ireland, the incredible Richie Buckley.A Quebecois set, “Cormiers” (Galope a Eddie/Reel du Chat Graffigne/Joe Cormiers” is a really tasty set and highlights the great flute playing of Kieran Munnelly in the first tune. It marches right along with great percussive guitar from Gavin Ralston, and bass lines provided by Joe Csibi. It gets an added boost again from Buckley on soprano and tenor sax. It is full bodied and firmly packed, as we say. A meaty set.A simple, lovely set, “Mc Reels” (Anthony McDonnells/Josie McDermott”s/Johnny Henry”s) is needed to catch one”s breath after the previous set! it is lovely in its simplicity with Munnelly accompanied by Ralson on guitar, brother Kieran on flute and Daire Bracken on fiddle.The standout track of the CD for me was the slow air, “Ar Bhoithrin na Smaointe”. Munnelly, accompanied only Ryan Molly on piano and accents by Buckley is superb.Let one think that this is an instrumental only CD, oh, no, not at all. Andrew Murray, one of the loveliest singers I”ve heard in a long while (see review, June 2007 Celtic Connection) does proud on “P Stands for Paddy”, as well as a grand rendition of Richard Thompson”s “Dimming of the Day”. Helen Flaherty gives us Dougie MacLean”s “The Garden Valley Song”.As a famous late night television host in Ireland used to say each Friday night, there is a “little something for everyone in the house” here, and it is a stunner of a CD. Great tunes done by stellar musicians ” did I mention Paul Kelly (banjo, mandolin, fiddle) along with Csibi, Buckley, Ralston, Molloy, Bracken, Munnelly, Munnelly and LLoyd Byrne on drums?.There are more jigs, reels, polkas and barndances I didn”t get to in the space of this review, but do yourself a favor and get it to listen for yourself.A fabulous CD of 14 cuts ” great tunes, great songs performed by great musicians and singers. Its just great, by heck! Check out Dave”s website at www.davidmunnelly.com.Cindy Reich is a contributing writer to “The Living Tradition”, Ayrshire, Scotland, “Irish Music Magazine”, Dublin, Ireland, and presents the radio music show, “The Long Acre” on Mondays, 1pm-3pm on 88.9 FM, KRFC ” Ft. Collins.

Reviewed by Cindy Reich,Celtic Connection, August, 2007Kevin Burke needs no introduction to Irish music lovers. His fiddle playing is unparalleled. Although born in London, Kevin was influenced by the fiddle playing of Michael Coleman and James Morrison among others, through his parents who came from Sligo. As a member of the Bothy Band, Kevin was part of one of the great seminal bands of the folk/trad revival, and as such, influenced scores of future musicians. He has also been a part of the group Patrick Street and the Celtic Fiddle Festival, but he has always shone the brightest, to me, when he played with Micheal O Domhnaill or Jackie Daly. The late Micheal O Domhnaill was a master of the guitar and Daly is the same on the button accordion. I truly think that only musicians of that caliber were able to understand and allow Burke”s nuances to do justice to the tunes they played. This is not to take away Kevin”s band work, however, many times less is more. In Kevin”s latest release, he has returned to the spare feel of those early recordings. “Across the Black River” with Cal Scott is a must have for anyone interested in hearing a master at work. A great example is a cut that just jumped out at me, “Minnie Foster/The Forgotten Chateau”. The first title piece was learned from Andy McGann on Kevin”s first trip to the U.S. and is playful, clean, crisp and superb. “The Forgotten Chateau” has a wonderful eastern European feel to it, despite being written by Londoner Chris Twigg.Another standout track is “Evening Prayer Blues” which is haunting and full of the high lonesome sound. It has a real turn of the century feel”I swear you could be sitting on the front porch of a cabin in the middle of any holler in the Blue Ridge Mountains! “For Johnny” is a tune written for the late Johnny Cunningham by his brother Phil. I”ve heard Phil play it on his accordion and its lovely, but Burke”s playing takes the heart right out of you. Johnny was a touring and playing companion of Burke”s on the Celtic Fiddle Festival circuit and this is a heartfelt tribute.Vincent Broderick was a great flute player from Loughrea, County Galway, and Kevin has paired up Broderick”s “Last Train from Loughrea” with his own composition, the title track “Across the Black Water”. Mike McGoldrick accompanies Burke and Scott on flute for this beautiful set.The first time I listened to this CD, when the third tune rolled off the speaker, I felt like I was sitting at a sidewalk caf” along the Seine in Paris. I never read liner notes until after I”ve listened to a CD, so I was delighted to read that when Kevin first heard the tune (a waltz) he immediately thought of a summer”s evening in a French sidewalk caf”. I could say that great minds think alike, however it is simply that this tune is so evocative of France, you couldn”t come up with any other conclusion! Kudos to Cal Scott for composing a great little waltz! Cal must be partial to waltzes, for he has another beauty on this release ” “The Lighthouse Keeper”s Waltz”. In addition to being a great composer, Cal is a lovely musician who is a perfect complement to Kevin”s playing and also produced this album.Mention must be made of the “Long Set” which lives up to its name at a meaty nine and a half minutes. The six reels that make up this set are: The Boys of the Lough/Master Crowley”s Reel/Sean sa Cheo/Reel of Rio/Ryan”s Dream/The Wind that Shakes the Barley. This is just hard-core straight ahead playing that is like a shot of heroin to a drug addict for serious listeners to Irish music. No glitter, no rocketing at the speed of light. Serious playing by serious musicians. Kevin and Cal are joined on this set by Johnny (box) Connolly on accordion and Phil Baker on double bass. Mighty stuff!For all true lovers of the music who want to hear a master at work, get your feet wet, cross the black river, the blue river, any and all rivers and get yourself a copy of Kevin Burke”s “Across the Black River”. This is destined to be one of the best of the crop of releases for 2007. You can check out more of Kevin”s music at: KevinBurke.com.Cindy Reich is a contributing writer to “The Living Tradition”, Ayrshire, Scotland, “Irish Music Magazine”, Dublin, Ireland, and presents the radio music show, “The Long Acre” on Mondays, 1pm-3pm on 88.9 FM, KRFC ” Ft. Collins.

In Irish mythology, cows from the underworld were white with red ears. It may be no surprise that Andrew Murray’s record label and website is “White cow music”, as Murray has a voice that could easily be gifted from the otherworld. Deep, resonant and extremely expressive, it is easy on the ear and invites one to listen closely to what he sings. It would also be no surprise to find that he was asked to tour with the iconic band DeDannan as lead singer for a time. Raised on the island of Inishbofin, Murray cut his musical teeth singing in sessions at his family’s Doonmore hotel on the island. I had read some favorable reviews about his debut album, “Hell or High Water” and when I got a copy, was pleased to find that the good reviews were justified. I will add to the pile, as this is such a wonderful listening experience. Parallels have been drawn between Murray and Sean Keane, but I think that both put their own stamp on the songs they sing. “Hell or High Water” has a bit of a watery theme, if you will, with songs as diverse as the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River” to “Another Story” by Dougie MacLean.However, Murray has great taste as well as diverse sources. One of my favorite ballads, “Lord Franklin” detailing the doomed trip by Franklin to find the Northwest Passage is done wonderfully here. Other ‘big’ ballads such as “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose”, “Green Grow the Laurels” (another standout track) and “Jock O’Hazeldine” are sung by a singer who respects the tradition from which these songs come and gives these songs the weight they deserve. Murray even puts some nice sean nos embellishments on them as well. In this day of faster, harder and more effects on songs and tunes, this is a welcome oasis. Great songs sung with simple and beautiful guitar accompaniment. Gavin Ralston, a superb guitar player, not only knows the right treatment to play these songs, he also created a wonderful atmosphere with his production of this album.Well done!For all lovers of ballads and singers everywhere, this is a “must have” in the CD stack. In addition to the traditional ballads, Murray also includes Ewan McColls “The Father’s Song”, one I had not heard before but is stark and powerful particularly in light of today’s world situation. Another songwriter and singer I admire greatly is Kevin Doherty, who’s “Sweet Water” CD was one of my top picks the year it was released. Murray includes the Doherty song, “Slow Song” on this CD as well.Tom Waits, Dougie Mac Lean, Richard Thompson, Ewan McColl, Kevin Doherty, Robert Hunter, Thom Moore. A glittering galaxy of some of the best songwriters in the firmament. It would be a daunting task for most singers to go after any of these songs, but Murray reached for the stars, and succeeded brilliantly. This is a release that respects the worth of the songwriter’s craft and the listener is well rewarded for the effort.Let’s hope that Andrew Murray is already working on his next treasure box of songs.Cindy Reich is a contributing writer to “The Living Tradition”, Ayrshire, Scotland, “Irish Music Magazine”, Dublin, Ireland, and presents the radio music show, “The Long Acre” on Mondays, 1pm-3pm on 88.9 FM, KRFC Ft. Collins.

Traditional and original Celtic music on flutes, guitar and percussion. “Here in My Heart” – fingerstyle guitar arrangements of Celtic & Nostalgia music. Info: PeaceLoveJigsReels.com or 720-366-1085.

The Emerald Crossing, Celtic Harp CD, Learn to Play Celtic Harp, Method book $15 for each, S&H included send check to: Enoch Productions, PO Box 18464, Denver, CO 80218. Celtic Wedding Music ($15), Twos Company – Celtic Harp Duets ($10)

“Mad Grace” – Beautiful Celtic Guitar, Find it at Denver Folklore Center or call (303) 455-3882

“The Best of Balladry – Islands and Centuries of Celtic Songs” is available by calling B.L. Taylor at 719-633-8688

“Trad” “The Life of Riley’s Brother”, “Saint Bartholemew’s Feast”, “Corvus”, “Some Foreign Land” and “Athens Hotel” call 303-455-7509

Bring Down the Storm, “This is a rare gem of a release. Barlow, a superb finger picking guitarist, has put together a rake of tunes that are expertly performed from start to finish.” Cindy Reich (Celtic Connection, Round the House, October 2006.) “Keepsake” featuring fingerstyle guitar arrangements of Irish, Scottish, and Appalachian music. Available at The Denver Folklore Center and other outlets or call 303-756-4418

The new release “Brian Clancy LIVE” featuring Henry the Fiddler, Brendan and Bridget Clancy available at the Denver Folklore Center and on the web at www.irishrow.com

New cd release: “Out of Our Minds, A Collection of All O’Riginal Music”. Available online at www.gobsophun.com, the Denver Folklore Center 303-777-4786, The Thistle & Shamrock 720-482-1488, or call 303-388-5367. Other cd titles include “Bartools & Bad Habits”, “Highland Derry Airs”, “Major Phun’s Loyal Hearts Pub Band”, “Liverdance” and “These Gobs are Revolting”.

When Beoga released their first album “A Lovely Madness” in 2002, it became my favorite album of the year. It was quirky, innovative and darn good fun! Additionally, this Antrim based band are all extremely talented musicians. Beoga are now back with “Mischief” and I’m delighted to say that this new release is as good as, and dare I say it “even better than the first. The title track lives up to its name with its fast paced pair of tunes penned by button accordion player Damien McKee. This is one of the great attractions of this new CD ” the amount of great new original tunes penned by the band.When Beoga released their first album “A Lovely Madness” in 2002, it became my favorite album of the year. It was quirky, innovative and darn good fun! Additionally, this Antrim based band are all extremely talented musicians. Beoga are now back with “Mischief” and I’m delighted to say that this new release is as good as, and dare I say it ” even better than the first.The title track lives up to its name with its fast paced pair of tunes penned by button accordion player Damien McKee. This is one of the great attractions of this new CD ” the amount of great new original tunes penned by the band.”Mischief” is followed up with a jazzy little set called “Kick’n the Box” which is made up of “Luka’s wake/Kick’n the box”. Lest fans of Luka Bloom become unduly worried, the Luka in question was fiddle player Niamh Dunne’s pet mouse. The saxophone work by David Howell is superb as is the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra which joins Beoga on several tunes. In fact, this cut is one of the standout tracks of the album and a good example of what makes this band so amazing.Beoga’s innovative use of outside elements such as the Prague Philharmonic or sax or flugelhorn could be a disaster in the wrong hands. However, Beoga are dead to rights in their musical taste and usage and as a result have produced a sound that is unique, addictive and unbelievably fun.This doesn’t mean they can’t do the trad thing as well. A good example is “Ryan’s Air” ” which although you might be confused to find is in fact a jig ” is dedicated to a “certain” airline which smashed Sean Og Graham’s guitar.Songs abound on this release and reflect the eclectic taste of the band with the American ballad “The Factory Girl”, Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” and a gorgeous song by Johnny Duhan (best known for his song “The Voyage”) called “A Delicate Thing”. In a recent trend seen by Kris Drever and North Cregg, songs from the 1920’s are coming back in vogue and Beoga have included a ragtime version of “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” in this collection.The majority of tunes on this release are all originals penned by various members of the band. For musicians seeking out the very latest and best of new material ” give a listen to “Cu Chullain’s Despair”, “Trolleyed”, “Jazzy Wilbur” or “Mickey The Pipes”.The whole thing winds up with the lovely, soft “Another Journey” composed by Sean Og and dedicated to all good friends and musicians he has met along the way. “Mischief” is well on the way to being my favorite album for 2007. It could be yours as well. Check it out at: www.beogamusic.com Beoga are: Liam Bradley Piano/Keys/Hammond Organ/Backing VocalsNiamh Dunne Lead vocal/fiddleEamon Murray Bodhran/Cajon/Kit/Percussion/Backing VocalsDamian McKee Button Accordion/ Backing VocalsSean Og GrahamButton Accordion/Guitar/Bouzouki/Mandolin/ backing vocalsBeoga are joined by: The Prague Philharmonic OrchestraMudd Wallace electric guitarJohn Fitzpatrick violinBrona Graham banjoLisa Murray whistleOdhran Devlin bassClaire Creelman harpDavid Howell clarinet/saxophoneLinley Hamilton trumpet/flugelhornCindy Reich is a contributing writer to “The Living Tradition”, Ayrshire, Scotland, “Irish Music Magazine”, Dublin, Ireland, and presents the radio music show, “The Long Acre” on Mondays, 1pm-3pm on 88.9 FM, KRFC Ft. Collins