The Mickey Finns - Prayers And Idle Chatter

The Mickey Finns - Prayers And Idle Chatter
2012, Mankeltray Music

The Mickey Finns have taken just two albums to be hailed one of the best Celtic rock bands in the world.  Featuring former members of The Prodigals (Ray Kelly – vocals, guitar; Brian Tracey – drums); the former lead violinist for Michael Flatley’s The Lord Of The Dance (Matt Mancuso); and, multi-instrumentalist Eric Kaye (The Prodigals, Clint Black, Marc Cohn, Lucy Woodward), the New York City based quartet gets crowds on their feet early and often.  The Mickey Finns’ latest studio effort, Prayers And Idle Chatter, features the sort of whiskey-soaked vocals that are ideal for Celtic Rock.

Prayers And Idle Chatter kicks off in high style with "The Prodigal Son", a heel turner with great energy and a dancing spirit. "Sweet Clare Girl" has a folk/country feel, filled to the brim with quiet but vital picking and focused vocal harmonies. The instrumental work is top notch throughout, but especially in the bridge. "McGuinness' Mass" is a down tempo drinking song that explores the camaraderie of the neighborhood pub and the form of penance that is brewed or distilled but universal across time and cultures. "Loop Reels" is a frenetic fiddle driven experience underwritten by some seriously motivated percussion. The Mickey Finns quite literally rock out here. "Absinthe (Makes The Heart Grow Fonder)" borrows a bit of rough-edged energy and imbues it with a country/Celtic pastiche. This would be one fun tune to experience live.

"Tanks And Barbed Wire" tells the story of love between a Protestant man and a Catholic girl at a time when such liaisons were dangerous. The outcome of this song is expectedly tragic, but holds a moral about learning to live together. The Mickey Finns take a lighter tone on in “The Jester”, a light and airy tune full of lilting violin and bright, breezy phrasing.  Kicking it up a notch or two, the band launches into the vibrant “Two Jigs For Aoiffe”.  The musicianship is stellar and The Mickey Finns sounds very much in the zone.  “Dark Roll Down The Dawn” represents a dichotomy in The Mickey Finns’ style that is intriguing.  There’s tremendous energy here, and it’s abundantly clear the band is having fun; yet there is a clear sense that they are holding something in reserve.

“Duffy’s Cut” memorializes 57 Irish immigrants who died of Cholera outside of Malvern Pennsylvania in 1832.  Brought to America to help lay railroad tracks, it is believed the workers were denied medical care due to anti-Catholic prejudice.  The Mickey Finns handle this tune perfectly, creating a wonderful melodic sensibility in the Wally Page-penned tune.  The sentiment here is real without sounding overly sentimental.  The Mickey Finns close out with a rockin’ reel, “Be Mine”.  Nothing is left in the studio here, and it’s clear that the impression earlier that the band was still holding something is proven to be spot on.

The Mickey Finns engage in a long slow build on Prayers And Idle Chatter that culminates in a blow-off-the-roof performance in “Be Mine”.  Through the entire eleven-song cycle there is a sense of expectation, of something more.  The Mickey Finns deliver and then some.  Prayers And Idle Chatter captures the energy and pure musicianship of the band.  All of this is tied together by the engaging presence of lead singer Ray Kelly, who is a first class front man with a voice that stops people in their tracks.  Somewhere in the nexus between The Waterboys, Black 47 and Great Big Sea you will find The Mickey Finns.  They’re doing just fine, thank you.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.TheMickeyFinns.com. 

 

 

Kerry Patrick Clark - On The Road To Human Being

Kerry Patrick Clark - On The Road To Human Being
2010, Studio 234

Kerry Patrick Clark is difficult to classify, drawing from a musical well that samples the waters of folk, rock, country and Americana without giving in to a specific stylistic conceit. It is this musical malleability that allows Clark to pursue such subtle and varied arrangements as background to his songs about the ins and outs of the human condition. The winner of multiple songwriting and performance awards recently released his fifth studio album, On The Road To Human Being, displaying a nearly magical touch as a storyteller in song.

Clark opens with "Brighton Boulevard", a reminiscence of youth that treads the waters of growing pains, love and regrets. The song has a Jackson Browne feel, and Clark sounds more than a little like The Waterboys' Mike Scott on vocals at times. "Row" has great energy; a song about making the most out of life that's very catchy. In a more rock-oriented arrangement this may have serious potential as a rock single. As is it's a tremendous bit of songwriting. "On The Road To Human Being" shows off Clark's ability to subtly serve up slices of the human condition in song with maximum effect. "Pass It On" ruminates on the knowledge we pass on from generation to generation in the casual interactions of parent to child. It's a moving testament to the power of love and the spoken word.

Clark will leave your head spinning with the simply beautiful "Lullaby". It's an amazing tune that you'll want to sing to your own children. "Be The Change" takes one of Mahatma Gandhi's most repeated quotes and turns it into a song about changing the world in small steps. Clark's arrangement is superb and the message is both timely and universal. "Time" returns to the concept of making the most of each moment as Clark ponders how quickly time passes. "How Could Anyone" is your basic, old-fashioned gooey love song, but Clark keeps it from sounding cliché with an honest, heartfelt vocal. It's back to the human condition for "Little Red Riding Hood", where Clark turns the classic nursery rhyme into a parable for modern life that reaches far beyond the basinet. Clark takes another shot at a love song with "This Is Love", a mature take on the subject that has enough heart to connect with a lot of people. You could imagine this tune showing up on charts on both the country and pop side of the wall. "You" is an incredibly touching celebration of a splendid life. You'll find yourself wanting to know the person this was written about. Clark says goodnight with one final message about living in the moment in the form of "I Just Danced". It's a modest epilogue that summarizes the message of On The Road To Human Being.

Kerry Patrick Clark is a songwriters' songwriter. Nowhere near as well known as he should be, this is an artist that other songwriters and performers listen to and learn from. Clark has a deft lyrical touch, and crafts pleasing arrangements around melodies that are catchy and memorable. Perhaps the greatest asset in Clark's repertoire is the inherent honesty and affability that he projects. Clark is a guy you'd have a beer with and gladly listen while he wove his stories. On The Road To Human Being plays like just such a conversation.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Kerry Patrick Clark at http://www.kerryclark.net/ or www.facebook.com/kerrypatrickclark.  On The Road To Human Being is available as a download from Amazon.com and iTunes.  CDs are available directly from Clark via the merchandise page on his website.

Review: Tupelo - Live In Studio

Tupelo - Live In Studio
2009, James Cramer/IMRO

Dublin, Ireland’s Tupelo have taken to the Rhythm & Roots movement in much the way the fictional band The Commitments took to Motown in the film of the same name two decades ago. Playing some of the finest venues in Dublin and beyond, Tupelo brings their original compositions to life in a sound that would be called Americana on this side of the pond. Tupelo recently sent us a disc called Live In Studio. This appears to be a demo for an upcoming album, done primarily in one take without overdubbing. The mix is a bit rough at times, but the songwriting and play are high quality.

Tupelo opens with The Blue Gardinia, a feel-good drinking song. The style here is somewhere in the neighborhood where Folk and Country meet. Vocalist James Cramer has a pleasant, anachronistic sound. Firefly is gentle but catchy. You may find yourself wanting to dance along but not sure if you should. I did find it curious that one of the violins on this song appears to be just a bit out of tune. Man Like Me and San Francisco Bound are decent if a little bland. Tupelo comes to life on Figure It Out, imbuing the song with a bit of fiddle-tune energy. Leaving On Tuesday is a decent tune; a mellow song with real energy inside.

Tupelo comes fully alive on Little Rosalie, a moderately upbeat love song with a hint of Pop sensibility. Little Rosalie will get your toes tapping. Katrina is a highly personal look at the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane itself has become something of a cultural icon for songwriters, particularly in the Folk, Country and Blue genres. Katrina is a decent song, but there comes a point when a subject has been picked clean and every recapitulation highlights the same skeleton. Tupelo goes where they've wanted to go all along on My Daddio. The song is a joyous ode to Dads where the musicianship and energy are at the top of the meter, and My Daddio is the highlight of the album. Tupelo keeps the Celtic spirit up on My Family's Land, although this time it's a mournful tune about returning to our roots. Tupelo closes with the Bluegrass flavored I'm Going Home, a song about a wrongfully convicted man who is finally getting out of prison. The song is full of joy in spite of all that's gone wrong.

Tupelo follows an interesting path on Live In Studio. You get the live energy of the band in a somewhat reserved recording that may not do Tupelo complete justice. I am guessing that this recording was done in a series of single takes with minimal dubbing, which is fine, but the production and recording produces some uneven mixes at times and may have been managed a bit better. On the whole, however, Live In Studio is convincing. If Tupelo ever passes through town, I'm there.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Tupelo at http://www.tupelo.ie/ or www.myspace.com/tupelomusicireland.

Review: Rick Shea - Shelter Valley Blues

Rick Shea - Shelter Valley Blues
2009, Tres Pescadores

Rick Shea might just be the current King of the California Country sound. With five highly acclaimed albums under his belt and a resume that includes work with folks such as Dave Alvin, Katy Moffatt and R.E.M., Shea certainly has the respect of his peers. Highly independent, Shea follows his own path in writing highly personal and honest songs in the tradition of Merle Haggard. Shea's latest release, Shelter Valley Blues, touches on the tough situations we find ourselves in over the course of our lives and how we end up there.

Shelter Valley Blues opens with Back Home To The Blues, a classic bit of Country melancholy perfect for crying in your beer. No Good Time For Leavin' recalls another era of Country music when the story was the thing. Steady Drivin' Man is a fun song that incorporates a bit of New Orleans sound and tops it off with some pretty cool yodeling. Shelter Valley Blues stays on the low-key side with another great story-song. The arrangement here is perfectly done: not too light and not too heavy. Ty Robby is built on an interesting mix of Celtic and Tex-Mex musical traditions and is one of the more enjoyable songs on the disc (Moira Smiley's harmony vocals are a special treat - what a voice!)

Nelly Bly has a real Rhythm N Blues feel to it, shaking up the album's sound just a tad in a highly entertaining tune. Shea keeps up the momentum on the Zydeco-flavored Sweet Little Pocha; you'll be two steppin' from the opening bars of this number. Shinbone Alley is a musical still life of a town that's seen better days, delivered in a gentle bit of highly melodic blues. Fisherman's Blues takes the Waterboys classic and updates it with a Southwest sound in the best cover of the tune I've heard to date. Shea closes out with The Haleiwa Shuffle, a Hawaiian-flavored instrumental that's highly enjoyable.

Rich Shea delivers on Shelter Valley Blues, performing eleven entertaining and energetic songs for your listening pleasure. She is a bit too subdued at times, but the performances here are great. Rick Shea is a throwback to another era in country music, with compositions Chet Atkins would approve of. The songwriting is strong and the instrumental work is obscenely good. Make sure you check out Rick Shea.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Rick Shea at http://www.rickshea.com/ or www.myspace.com/ricksheacalifornia. You can order a signed copy of Shelter Valley Blues from Paniolo Productions.

Review: The Irish Experience - Green Energy

The Irish Experience – Green Energy
2009, The Irish Experience

Seattle’s The Irish Experience releases their sophomore CD, Green Energy, on March 17, 2009. Picking up where they last left off, The Irish Experience brings high energy instrumental Celtic music with a Rock N Roll feel and the occasional Appalachian folk underpinning. Electric violin, guitar, congas, bongos, harmonica, synth and djembe as the weapons of choice here, and you’ll quickly be consumed in the passion and energy The Irish Experience pumps into their music. Even the slower songs have a vibrant life you just won’t be able to ignore.

Green Energy opens with The Wicked Jig, a violin led opus over rhythmic guitar and some of the funkiest bass playing west of Chicago. Try to stand still while this one is playing; you can’t. Brendan McGlinchey’s is a wonderfully dark interpretation you can’t help get a little lost in. Dinny Delaney’s Slide may be the best track here. The violin and bass dance around one another while guitar and percussion steady the floor. John Brown’s Dream brings out a little of the Appalachian feel as The Irish Experience borders on a Celtic Bluegrass sound (banjo would complete the effect). Paddy Fahey’s is more of a rock tune than anything else here with an almost Mike Scott/Waterboys feel to it. Other highlights include Within A Mile Of Dublin, Indian Point, Scatter The Mud and The Fiddler’s Lament.

The Irish Experience delivers irrepressible Green Energy on their CD, but anything you read about them indicates the real thrill is their live shows. Green Energy is an accomplished instrumental disc that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you want to get back to your real or adopted Irish roots. This is a great listen.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Irish Experience at www.myspace.com/IrishExperience. You can purchase Green Energy through CDBaby, iTunes or Rhapsody.