A Band of Rogues - "s/t" (2012)
Release date:June 23rd, 2012
Running time: 48:56, 10 tracks
Imagine a band with two faces:
A) American Irish rock with Christy Moore and Van Morrison influences.
B) Acoustic traditional band to be filed together with the likes of Lunasa, Dervish, Danú, etc.
If you think that this is not possible, then you’re wrong. A Band of Rogues have been able to have the cake and eat it!
The seven piece band from NYC has released a superb self-titled album. Two sets of tunes, a Christy Moore cover (“Ordinary Man”) and seven songs written by different band members: Sean McNally (vocals/guitar), Tom Burns (accordion/vocals/guitar), Frank Banafato (lead guitar/banjo/mandolin) and Joe O’Brien (piano/keyboards).
The opening track “Molly, Molly” is an interesting Celtic rock number featuring great fiddle, accordion and mandolin. A song that links A Band of Rogues to other US acts like Wild Colonial Bhoys or O’Tasty.
“The Girl from the Emerald Island” is a different kind of song influenced by Van Morrison. The whole band sounds really tight on this track that features “The Foxhunter’s Reel”.
After listening to this track, it’s obvious that A Band of Rogues know how to play the traditional repertoire. But one is really amazed after listening to the next track, the kick-ass set of jigs “The Timmy Clifford Set”. The approach is acoustic, but you don’t notice a lack of continuity on the album flow. Quite the contrary, it fits perfectly well.
The next two tracks are the “tribute” to Christy Moore. “You Can’t Eat the Scenery” features the electric guitar sound that you can hear on albums such as “Unfinished Revolution” or “Voyage”. And “Ordinary Man” gets the A Band Of Rogues treatment: excellent fiddle, keyboards, bass and guitar.
The following number is another top-notch set of tunes titled “Punch”. Hats-off to Meredith Rachel on fiddle! If you like Nollaig Casey and Arty McGlynn albums you’ll love this set.
Finally, to proof that they are not stuck in the past, A Band of Rogues deliver a catchy rocking number with some Eastern Europe influences. Maybe they like The Dreadnoughts too. This time the reel that is featured is “Gravel Walk”.
Unfortunately, many young bands tend to focus only on the same standards and The Dubliners/The Pogues “heritage” and neglect the traditional tunes and other bands. A Band of Rogues have made a fantastic job blending different visions of the Celtic music world on this awesome album. So, if you want to open your musical horizon, check it out.
P.S. Please boys, record "Musha God Help Her" on the next album.
Release date:June 23rd, 2012
Running time: 48:56, 10 tracks
Imagine a band with two faces:
A) American Irish rock with Christy Moore and Van Morrison influences.
B) Acoustic traditional band to be filed together with the likes of Lunasa, Dervish, Danú, etc.
If you think that this is not possible, then you’re wrong. A Band of Rogues have been able to have the cake and eat it!
The seven piece band from NYC has released a superb self-titled album. Two sets of tunes, a Christy Moore cover (“Ordinary Man”) and seven songs written by different band members: Sean McNally (vocals/guitar), Tom Burns (accordion/vocals/guitar), Frank Banafato (lead guitar/banjo/mandolin) and Joe O’Brien (piano/keyboards).
The opening track “Molly, Molly” is an interesting Celtic rock number featuring great fiddle, accordion and mandolin. A song that links A Band of Rogues to other US acts like Wild Colonial Bhoys or O’Tasty.
“The Girl from the Emerald Island” is a different kind of song influenced by Van Morrison. The whole band sounds really tight on this track that features “The Foxhunter’s Reel”.
After listening to this track, it’s obvious that A Band of Rogues know how to play the traditional repertoire. But one is really amazed after listening to the next track, the kick-ass set of jigs “The Timmy Clifford Set”. The approach is acoustic, but you don’t notice a lack of continuity on the album flow. Quite the contrary, it fits perfectly well.
The next two tracks are the “tribute” to Christy Moore. “You Can’t Eat the Scenery” features the electric guitar sound that you can hear on albums such as “Unfinished Revolution” or “Voyage”. And “Ordinary Man” gets the A Band Of Rogues treatment: excellent fiddle, keyboards, bass and guitar.
The following number is another top-notch set of tunes titled “Punch”. Hats-off to Meredith Rachel on fiddle! If you like Nollaig Casey and Arty McGlynn albums you’ll love this set.
Finally, to proof that they are not stuck in the past, A Band of Rogues deliver a catchy rocking number with some Eastern Europe influences. Maybe they like The Dreadnoughts too. This time the reel that is featured is “Gravel Walk”.
Unfortunately, many young bands tend to focus only on the same standards and The Dubliners/The Pogues “heritage” and neglect the traditional tunes and other bands. A Band of Rogues have made a fantastic job blending different visions of the Celtic music world on this awesome album. So, if you want to open your musical horizon, check it out.
P.S. Please boys, record "Musha God Help Her" on the next album.
Tracklist:
1. Molly Molly (Sean McNally) 4:08
2. Take Me Back To Kerry (Tom Burns) 5:18
3. Girl From The Emerald Isle (Frank Banafato) 4:13
4. The Timmy Clifford Set: A set of jigs Timmy Clifford, the one in the middle and then Stan Chapman's (Traditional) 4:09
5. Can't Eat The Scenery (Tom Burns) 4:56
6. Ordinary Man (Peter Hames) 5:36
7. Punch - Reels(Traditional) 5:15
8. Irish Goodbye (Tom Burns, Joe O'Brien) 3:19
9. These Streets Are Mean (Sean McNally) 7:00
10. Ballyvaughn (Joe O'Brien) 4:59
http://www.abandofroguesnyc.com
http://www.facebook.com/ABandOfRogues
Click to buy:
http://www.abandofroguesnyc.com/buymusic.cfm
Review by Kinksmarkham
1. Molly Molly (Sean McNally) 4:08
2. Take Me Back To Kerry (Tom Burns) 5:18
3. Girl From The Emerald Isle (Frank Banafato) 4:13
4. The Timmy Clifford Set: A set of jigs Timmy Clifford, the one in the middle and then Stan Chapman's (Traditional) 4:09
5. Can't Eat The Scenery (Tom Burns) 4:56
6. Ordinary Man (Peter Hames) 5:36
7. Punch - Reels(Traditional) 5:15
8. Irish Goodbye (Tom Burns, Joe O'Brien) 3:19
9. These Streets Are Mean (Sean McNally) 7:00
10. Ballyvaughn (Joe O'Brien) 4:59
http://www.abandofroguesnyc.com
http://www.facebook.com/ABandOfRogues
Click to buy:
http://www.abandofroguesnyc.com/buymusic.cfm
Review by Kinksmarkham
