The Narrowbacks "The After Hours EP"
Release date: October 23, 2015
Running time: 17:02, 5 tracks
The Narrowbacks are a sextet from New York: Seamus Keane (lead vocals, harmonica), Barry Walsh (banjo, mandolin), Patrick Keane (accordion), Fionn McElligott (guitar), Chris Moran (drums and percussion) and Anthony Chen (bass). You’ll be familiar with them, since they have been sharing some free stuff at Bandcamp and we have been posting the links regularly. “The After Hours EP” is the follow-up to their debut album “Fire it up”. The guys have called some friends (Joe Mulvanerty of Black 47 on Uilleann pipes, Andrew McCarrick of Jameson's Revenge on flute and tin whistle and Katie Linnane of Broken Banjo Strings on fiddle) and have recorded some of their favourite standards.
The EP begins with “Star of the Co. Down”, a song that I use as a filter to decide if a band covers the traditional stuff in the right direction. And The Narrowbacks rendition, with uileann pipes, flute, banjo and percussion, is a winner.
“Rising of The Moon” is led by banjo and accordion and there is a kick-ass uileann pipes passage.
“Fields of Athenry” is the song that every single band usually covers, based on the Dropkick Murphys version. However, that song was previously recorded by the likes of Neck and Greenland Whalefishers. The Narrowbacks’ rendition is closer to those recordings, mainly to the Neck’s one with the hey-hey shouts. Band’s tend to copy the epic of the DKM’s song and a different approach is always welcome.
Finally, “Patriot’s Game” is the kind of standard that I’m always looking for: good song that has not been overexposed. Flute, accordion and uileann pipes shine on this song.
There is and additional track, a sort of a bonus track titled “Aqueduct North 3:15 am (Live)” which is a short “pub” version (just vocals and claps) of The Pogues “A Pair of Brown Eyes”.
“The After Hours EP” digital copies are available from CDbaby and iTunes. Hard copies can be bought at the band’s shows only.
Normally I’m not interested in Irish standards covers, but it’s fair to admit that The Narrowbacks have recorded fantastic renditions on “The After Hours EP”, thanks to the blend of the band’s musicianship and the quality of the guests.
Release date: October 23, 2015
Running time: 17:02, 5 tracks
The Narrowbacks are a sextet from New York: Seamus Keane (lead vocals, harmonica), Barry Walsh (banjo, mandolin), Patrick Keane (accordion), Fionn McElligott (guitar), Chris Moran (drums and percussion) and Anthony Chen (bass). You’ll be familiar with them, since they have been sharing some free stuff at Bandcamp and we have been posting the links regularly. “The After Hours EP” is the follow-up to their debut album “Fire it up”. The guys have called some friends (Joe Mulvanerty of Black 47 on Uilleann pipes, Andrew McCarrick of Jameson's Revenge on flute and tin whistle and Katie Linnane of Broken Banjo Strings on fiddle) and have recorded some of their favourite standards.
The EP begins with “Star of the Co. Down”, a song that I use as a filter to decide if a band covers the traditional stuff in the right direction. And The Narrowbacks rendition, with uileann pipes, flute, banjo and percussion, is a winner.
“Rising of The Moon” is led by banjo and accordion and there is a kick-ass uileann pipes passage.
“Fields of Athenry” is the song that every single band usually covers, based on the Dropkick Murphys version. However, that song was previously recorded by the likes of Neck and Greenland Whalefishers. The Narrowbacks’ rendition is closer to those recordings, mainly to the Neck’s one with the hey-hey shouts. Band’s tend to copy the epic of the DKM’s song and a different approach is always welcome.
Finally, “Patriot’s Game” is the kind of standard that I’m always looking for: good song that has not been overexposed. Flute, accordion and uileann pipes shine on this song.
There is and additional track, a sort of a bonus track titled “Aqueduct North 3:15 am (Live)” which is a short “pub” version (just vocals and claps) of The Pogues “A Pair of Brown Eyes”.
“The After Hours EP” digital copies are available from CDbaby and iTunes. Hard copies can be bought at the band’s shows only.
Normally I’m not interested in Irish standards covers, but it’s fair to admit that The Narrowbacks have recorded fantastic renditions on “The After Hours EP”, thanks to the blend of the band’s musicianship and the quality of the guests.
1 - Star of the County Down 3:27
2 - Rising of the Moon 3:16
3 - Fields of Athenry 4:05
4 - Patriot Game 4:38
5 - Aqueduct North, 4:15am (Live) 1:25
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Review by Kinksmarkham
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