The Charmrocks "s/t"
Release date: December 17, 2014
Running time: 69:01, 20 tracks
It’s not easy to find young bands which are not interested in becoming the next Dropkick Murphys. Moreover, young bands are often influenced by the balladeers (The Dubliners, The Wolfe Tones, Paddy Reilly …), but they tend to neglect the Irish folk heavyweights from the 60’s-70’s. So, a band like The CharmRocks who love The Chieftains, Planxty, The Bothy Band and the atmosphere of the pub sessions (on which most of the numbers that are played are set of tunes) is really welcome.
The CharmRocks hail from Argenteuil, in the Paris area. They are Marianna Taylor (bass, vocals), Romain Lambert (fiddle, vocals), Quentin Monget (clarinet, tin whistle, guitar and vocals), Fabien Barot (guitar, low whistle, vocals, bass, drums) and Tanguy Morvant (bodhrán, vocals). The band released a 6 track EP in 2012 and they have invested a lot of passion and love on their 20 track self-titled album. Yes, 20 track. In vinyl terms this CD would be a double album (69 minutes!!!).
A lot of pub favourites can be found on The CharmRocks debut album, but there are plenty of amazing set of tunes. The album kicks-off with “Charlie Mopps” a.k.a. “Beer, Beer, Beer”. From the very beginning you can appreciate Tanguy’s kick-ass job on bodhrán. The next number is one of the album stand-outs, a blend of Europe and The Chieftains: “The Final Tarbolton”. “The Final Countdown” is linked to the “Tarbolton” reel and the result is really brilliant. And Quentin’s clarinet adds a new twist to the mix.
“Step it Out Mary” has great vocal harmonies and the guys and girl add the perfect tune to improve the song. A reel has been added to “Star of the County Down” too, in this case “The Musical Priest”. Quentin switchs from clarinet to tin whistle on this number.
“Crazy Reels” is one of my faves, a set including among others “Star of Munster”, “The Jolly Beggarman” and “Gravel Walk”. Low whistle can be heard at the beginning of the set, the fiddle plays the major role on “Beggarman” together with a great percussion work and “Gravel Walk” is always a winner. I guess that The CharmRocks love Altan too.
“Raggle Tagle Gipsy” starts with tin whistle and fiddle, but there are lots of different influences among the song (jazz manouche, klezmer …). “Black is the Colour” is sung by Marianne who gives something different to this number.
The CharmRocks shift again to The Chieftains territory with “Britches full of Stitches”, a tune which gets a badass Caribbean treatment.
“This Old Man” is another fave. It’s a rocking number on which the klezmer twist is more obvious. The reel added to this song is “The Mason’s Apron”. It’s followed by a shanty which is sung a capella: "Randy Dandy O"
More highlights: “The Legendary Set”. Some of the tunes on this set are “The Irish Washerwoman” and “The Kesh” jigs. The band is really tight on this set and every single member does a fantastic job.
“Rocky Road to Dublin” is played with gusto. The CharmRocks show their Bothy Band influences on the tune that is played in the middle of the song. “Fields of Athenry” is the song that every single band has covered. Fortunately The CharmRocks don’t try to copy the Dropkick Murphys rendition and the song is performed in a quieter mood.
Jiu from the ska band Jim Murple Memorial guests on double bass on “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya”, a song with boy and girl vocals.
More The Bothy Band spirit can be found on “The Wanderer’s Set”. Both tin and low whistle can be heard on this set of tunes. The following number is the well-known “Drunken Sailor”. Interesting fiddle and clarinet arrangements.
And now time for a little bit of Planxty: “P Stands for Paddy”. The Charmrocks play a lively rendition which is sung by Marianne. The reel that has been added to this song is “Tam Lin”. Fiddle, tin whistle and rythm section are excellent on this number. The next track is titled “The Cabbage Soup Mix” and features a tin whistle intro plus a celtified version of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song.
Marianne sings “Black Velvet Band” and Quentin plays clarinet. Finally, “Jar of Porter” is played fast, together with “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” reel.
The CharmRocks “s/t” album is packed in a jewel case. The front cover is a funny drawing on which the musicians are sheep. The 4 page booklet includes pics of all of the band members, credits, guests and thank yous. However, some liner notes stating the tunes on every set would have been appreciated.
If you’re looking for some albums for St. Patrick’s, The CharmRocks debut album would be a fine addition to your collection. And remember: this album is suitable for any other party. Enjoy!
Release date: December 17, 2014
Running time: 69:01, 20 tracks
It’s not easy to find young bands which are not interested in becoming the next Dropkick Murphys. Moreover, young bands are often influenced by the balladeers (The Dubliners, The Wolfe Tones, Paddy Reilly …), but they tend to neglect the Irish folk heavyweights from the 60’s-70’s. So, a band like The CharmRocks who love The Chieftains, Planxty, The Bothy Band and the atmosphere of the pub sessions (on which most of the numbers that are played are set of tunes) is really welcome.
The CharmRocks hail from Argenteuil, in the Paris area. They are Marianna Taylor (bass, vocals), Romain Lambert (fiddle, vocals), Quentin Monget (clarinet, tin whistle, guitar and vocals), Fabien Barot (guitar, low whistle, vocals, bass, drums) and Tanguy Morvant (bodhrán, vocals). The band released a 6 track EP in 2012 and they have invested a lot of passion and love on their 20 track self-titled album. Yes, 20 track. In vinyl terms this CD would be a double album (69 minutes!!!).
A lot of pub favourites can be found on The CharmRocks debut album, but there are plenty of amazing set of tunes. The album kicks-off with “Charlie Mopps” a.k.a. “Beer, Beer, Beer”. From the very beginning you can appreciate Tanguy’s kick-ass job on bodhrán. The next number is one of the album stand-outs, a blend of Europe and The Chieftains: “The Final Tarbolton”. “The Final Countdown” is linked to the “Tarbolton” reel and the result is really brilliant. And Quentin’s clarinet adds a new twist to the mix.
“Step it Out Mary” has great vocal harmonies and the guys and girl add the perfect tune to improve the song. A reel has been added to “Star of the County Down” too, in this case “The Musical Priest”. Quentin switchs from clarinet to tin whistle on this number.
“Crazy Reels” is one of my faves, a set including among others “Star of Munster”, “The Jolly Beggarman” and “Gravel Walk”. Low whistle can be heard at the beginning of the set, the fiddle plays the major role on “Beggarman” together with a great percussion work and “Gravel Walk” is always a winner. I guess that The CharmRocks love Altan too.
“Raggle Tagle Gipsy” starts with tin whistle and fiddle, but there are lots of different influences among the song (jazz manouche, klezmer …). “Black is the Colour” is sung by Marianne who gives something different to this number.
The CharmRocks shift again to The Chieftains territory with “Britches full of Stitches”, a tune which gets a badass Caribbean treatment.
“This Old Man” is another fave. It’s a rocking number on which the klezmer twist is more obvious. The reel added to this song is “The Mason’s Apron”. It’s followed by a shanty which is sung a capella: "Randy Dandy O"
More highlights: “The Legendary Set”. Some of the tunes on this set are “The Irish Washerwoman” and “The Kesh” jigs. The band is really tight on this set and every single member does a fantastic job.
“Rocky Road to Dublin” is played with gusto. The CharmRocks show their Bothy Band influences on the tune that is played in the middle of the song. “Fields of Athenry” is the song that every single band has covered. Fortunately The CharmRocks don’t try to copy the Dropkick Murphys rendition and the song is performed in a quieter mood.
Jiu from the ska band Jim Murple Memorial guests on double bass on “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya”, a song with boy and girl vocals.
More The Bothy Band spirit can be found on “The Wanderer’s Set”. Both tin and low whistle can be heard on this set of tunes. The following number is the well-known “Drunken Sailor”. Interesting fiddle and clarinet arrangements.
And now time for a little bit of Planxty: “P Stands for Paddy”. The Charmrocks play a lively rendition which is sung by Marianne. The reel that has been added to this song is “Tam Lin”. Fiddle, tin whistle and rythm section are excellent on this number. The next track is titled “The Cabbage Soup Mix” and features a tin whistle intro plus a celtified version of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song.
Marianne sings “Black Velvet Band” and Quentin plays clarinet. Finally, “Jar of Porter” is played fast, together with “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” reel.
The CharmRocks “s/t” album is packed in a jewel case. The front cover is a funny drawing on which the musicians are sheep. The 4 page booklet includes pics of all of the band members, credits, guests and thank yous. However, some liner notes stating the tunes on every set would have been appreciated.
If you’re looking for some albums for St. Patrick’s, The CharmRocks debut album would be a fine addition to your collection. And remember: this album is suitable for any other party. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
01 - Charlie Mopps 2:14
02 - The Final Tarbolton 2:53
03 - Step it Out Mary 3:40
04 - Star of the County Down 2:29
05 - Crazy Reels 3:33
06 - Raggle Taggle Gipsy 3:45
07 - Black is the Colour 5:27
08 - Britches Full of Stiches 2:14
09 - This Old Man 4:01
10 - Randy Dandy O 1:58
11 - Legendary set 5:05
12 - Rocky Road to Dublin 3:51
13 - Fields of Athenry 4:28
14 - Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya 3:48
15 - The Wanderer's Set 3:04
16 - Drunken Sailor 2:55
17 - P Stands for Paddy 3:16
18 - Cabbage Soup Mix 3:36
19 - Black Velvet Band 3:45
20 - Jar of Porter 2:52
Website
Facebook
Reverbnation
Soundcloud
Send a PM to the band on FB to buy the CD
Review by Kinksmarkham
01 - Charlie Mopps 2:14
02 - The Final Tarbolton 2:53
03 - Step it Out Mary 3:40
04 - Star of the County Down 2:29
05 - Crazy Reels 3:33
06 - Raggle Taggle Gipsy 3:45
07 - Black is the Colour 5:27
08 - Britches Full of Stiches 2:14
09 - This Old Man 4:01
10 - Randy Dandy O 1:58
11 - Legendary set 5:05
12 - Rocky Road to Dublin 3:51
13 - Fields of Athenry 4:28
14 - Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya 3:48
15 - The Wanderer's Set 3:04
16 - Drunken Sailor 2:55
17 - P Stands for Paddy 3:16
18 - Cabbage Soup Mix 3:36
19 - Black Velvet Band 3:45
20 - Jar of Porter 2:52
Website
Reverbnation
Soundcloud
Send a PM to the band on FB to buy the CD
Review by Kinksmarkham
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