Firkin "Igyunk pálinkát!" Pump Jump Records #PJR201201
Release date: 9 March 2012
Running time: 41:13, 12 tracks
“Igyunk pálinkat” is the title of the third album released by the Hungarian band Firkin. A front cover similar to that of their debut album, but in orange instead of green. Twelve songs sung in their mother tongue and almost all of them can be found on their previous albums. A best-of after only two albums? Not at all. The excellent band from Budapest have decided to give a new lease of life to their songs and, at the same time, to pay tribute to their loyal Hungarian fan base. PJ and his band mates have got a great success all over Europe (and overseas) but this could not have happened without the enthusiastic support of their local fans.
So, Firkin have taken eleven songs from “Firkinful of Beer” and “Whup!” together with a new track, "Kék volt az égbolt" (“The Foggy Dew”), and have put Hungarian lyrics to all of them. The new lyrics are not a translation of the original ones, but new lyrics dealing with Hungarian and Transylvanian themes. This new twist can be found on the music too. All the songs have been remixed and remastered and new guests have made them different from the previous versions. A new Hungarian atmosphere floats all over the album. Lili plays acoustic fiddle instead of electric violin. Another Hungarian folk fiddler, Pál István “Szalonna”, is also responsible of this new Hungarian music twist. Jamie Winchester has played acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks and, finally, Ganxsta Zolee is the rapper on the brand new version of “Blood for Blood” ("Rettenthetetlen").
The band is particularly proud of the track no. 10 “A Jó ég megáld”, a totally reworked “Wild Rover” with a guitar and bass solo that they have renamed “The Wildest Rover”. They are so happy with this new version that they intend to include it on their 4th album in English. Yes, don’t worry, the next album will be in English again.
After this new Firkin release my feelings about this band are stronger. They are one of the most intelligent bands out there: great musicianship, excellent rocking arrangements, a huge knowledge of Irish ballads and tunes and a respect for both Hungarian and Irish tradition. A few bands record songs with two fiddlers: Altan, Firkin …These guys are clever enough to do exactly what others have never thought about.
Now, let’s enjoy “Igyunk pálinkat”. And don't miss Firkin live if they are playing at a festival near your home.
Tracklist:
1 - Borfohász 2:47 (Originally on "Whup!", Beer Allmighty 2:50)
2 - Reggel van! 3:03 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", Drunken Sailor Song 3:04)
3 - Igyunk pálinkát! 2:42 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", Whiskey in the Jar 2:43)
4 - Kék volt az égbolt 3:00 (The Foggy Dew)
5 - Vezet majd a szél 3:24 (Originally on "Whup!", Sailing Away 3:25)
6 - Felföldi románc 3:27 (Originally on "Whup!", Idyl on a Hill (3:27)
7 - Rettenthetetlen 4:00 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", Blood for Blood 5:08)
8 - Jó 3:20 (Originally on "Whup!", Keep on Drinking 3:22)
9 - Hetedhét székely 4:23 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", Seven Drunken Nights 4:42)
10 - A jó ég megáld 3:17 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", Wild Rover 3:17)
11 - Hozz egy firkin sört 2:57 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", Firkinful of Beer 2:58)
12 - Búcsúpohar 4:47 (Originally on "Firkinful of Beer", The Parting Glass 4:47)
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Review by Kinksmarkham
