Release date: February 21, 2015
Running time: 46:28, 11 tracks
Folkaholics is a 7 piece band from The Netherlands. They are Pim van Bussel (lead vocals), Simon Berg (guitar, backing vocals), Twan Dekkers (bass, sax), Joris Barnier (marching drum, cajon, backing vocals), Mark Dirne (banjo, accordion, mandolin, 12 string guitar) Rick Fokkinga (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, banjolele) and Ben Groonen (accordion, fiddle, guitar). Folkaholics released a 7 track live demo CD in 2004, "Live at Jerry's" and a 10 tracks CD in 2006, "Folk You!". Their debut album can be downloaded for free from their website.
"Slijterij" is a studio album, but the atmosphere is that of a live show. It can be described as a cross between Craicheads and Keily's Folk with some "pirate" drops added to the mix: there are some Irish and American standards and some new "classics" (that is, Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys stuff).
"Slijterij" is also the title of the first song on the album. The song is sung in their mother tongue and is a sort of "business card". There are bits of "Galway Girl" and traditional tunes like "The Maid Behind the Bar", "St Anne's" and "McLeod's" reels. Songs such as "Rare Old Mountain Dew", "Whiskey in the Jar" and "Drunken Lullabies" are mentioned in the lyrics.
"The Night that Paddy Murphy Died" gets the Folkaholics treatment with interesting fiddle, accordion and banjo arrangements. "Pirates" is the first pirate song on the album. A passage of Flogging Molly "Devil's Dance Floor" can be heard along the song and "Drunken Sailor" is featured too. Then Folkaholics cover Dutch folk band Pater Moeskroen:"De Ark (Ahoy)" is another lively sing-along seafaring number.
The next song is the great Flogging Molly classic song "Drunken Lullabies", which is played respectfully. It's followed by "Galway Girl". The Steve Earle song has become a standard and Folkaholics deliver an awesome version featuring sax. "Cotton Eye Joe" is another highlight with brilliant banjo arrangements.
"In Your Arms" is a bridge between the covers featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, accordion and fiddle.
"Shipping Up to Carlow" obviously merges the "Shipping Up to Boston" with Planxty's traditional song "Follow Me Up to Carlow". The song kicks off with the Dropkick's lines (banjo, fiddle and accordion) and then the band shifts to the "Carlow" song. Fiddle and sax arrangements are amazing and the rythm section shines too.
The album is coming to its end with "Wake Me Up!". Folkaholics cover Avicii's song and they do it quite well with acoustic guitar, sax, accordion and great backing vocals. By the way, another Celtic punk/rock band, Selfish Murphy from Romania, covered another Avicii's song: "Hey Brother".
The last song on "Slijterij" is a poignant mandoliin led version of one of my favourite ballads: "The Town That I Loved So Well".
"Slijterij" comes in a 4 track digipack. There are no lyrics to the songs, but there's all sort of information such as the band's line-up, the studio credits, thank yous and all the links to contact the band.
Folkaholics are a suitable band for both pubs and festivals and "Slijterij" is a fantastic album for you Summer parties (and St. Patrick's Day, of course). Grab a Dutch beer (Trappist if possible) and enjoy!
Tracklist:
01 - Slijterij 4:39
02 - The Night that Paddy Murphy Died 4:15
03 - Pirates 4:10
04 - De ark (Ahoy!)2:49
05 - Drunken Lullabies 3:47
06 - Galway Girl 2:44
07 - Cotton Eye Joe 4:19
08 - In your Arms 3:39
09 - Shipping me up to Carlow 5:03
10 - Wake me up! 4:18
11 - The Town I Loved so Well 6:44
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Review by Kinksmarkham
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