Blackstone Cúil "s/t", self-released
Release date: June 26, 2015
Running time: 28:29, 6 tracks
Four piece band Blackstone Cúil hail from Worcester, MA (USA). Their name comes from an area in Worcester where the Irish emigrant workers lived while working on a canal (further info here and here). Mike Ladd (lead vocals, guitars), Myra MacLeod (fiddle), Steve Harnois (bass, not on the album) and John Guertin (drums, bodhrán and percussion) have coined a term for their music, Irish Mod.
The mini-album kicks off with “Dark Inishowen”, a ballad written by David A. Campbell, which gets a rocking treatment with a perfect rhythm section, fiddle arrangements, some mandolin and backing vocals.
The next track is an original by Mike Ladd, “Blackstone Cúil”. The lyrics are not included on the 4 page booklet, but they can found on the band’s website (click on song lyrics). It’s a poignant song with a The Waterboys twist about the Irish emigrants’ lives in that Worcester corner called Blackstone Cúil.
“Irish Ways and Irish Laws” is another highlight on the album. There is an instrumental part with a strong Planxty feel.
George Gershwin song “Summertime” is covered and it’s the jazzy-est moment on the album
The last two numbers are “Scrawl”, a fiddle-rock song written by Mike, and “Cliffs of Moher”, a brilliant Irish rock rendition of a Dermot Kelly ballad.
“Blackstone Cúil” comes in a jewel case. The 4 page booklet includes band's pic, studio credits, songs credits, band’s line-up and guests, thank yous and contact info. Joe Miglionico played bass on the album and Brendan Keenan, from Celtic local band Fergus, Irish bouzouki, mandolin and low whistle.
Blackstone Cúil’s debut album is not the standard Celtic punk album that we normally review, but it’s an enjoyable album. Go to CDbaby and check out some clips of their songs.
Tracklist:
1. Dark Inishowen 4:49 (Lyrics)
2. Blackstone Cúil 5:14
3. Irish Ways & Irish Laws 6:01
4. Summertime 4:09
5. Scrawl 4:03
6. Cliffs of Moher 4:13 (Lyrics)
Website
Facebook
Reverbnation
Click to buy:
CDbaby
Release date: June 26, 2015
Running time: 28:29, 6 tracks
Four piece band Blackstone Cúil hail from Worcester, MA (USA). Their name comes from an area in Worcester where the Irish emigrant workers lived while working on a canal (further info here and here). Mike Ladd (lead vocals, guitars), Myra MacLeod (fiddle), Steve Harnois (bass, not on the album) and John Guertin (drums, bodhrán and percussion) have coined a term for their music, Irish Mod.
The mini-album kicks off with “Dark Inishowen”, a ballad written by David A. Campbell, which gets a rocking treatment with a perfect rhythm section, fiddle arrangements, some mandolin and backing vocals.
The next track is an original by Mike Ladd, “Blackstone Cúil”. The lyrics are not included on the 4 page booklet, but they can found on the band’s website (click on song lyrics). It’s a poignant song with a The Waterboys twist about the Irish emigrants’ lives in that Worcester corner called Blackstone Cúil.
“Irish Ways and Irish Laws” is another highlight on the album. There is an instrumental part with a strong Planxty feel.
George Gershwin song “Summertime” is covered and it’s the jazzy-est moment on the album
The last two numbers are “Scrawl”, a fiddle-rock song written by Mike, and “Cliffs of Moher”, a brilliant Irish rock rendition of a Dermot Kelly ballad.
“Blackstone Cúil” comes in a jewel case. The 4 page booklet includes band's pic, studio credits, songs credits, band’s line-up and guests, thank yous and contact info. Joe Miglionico played bass on the album and Brendan Keenan, from Celtic local band Fergus, Irish bouzouki, mandolin and low whistle.
Blackstone Cúil’s debut album is not the standard Celtic punk album that we normally review, but it’s an enjoyable album. Go to CDbaby and check out some clips of their songs.
Tracklist:
1. Dark Inishowen 4:49 (Lyrics)
2. Blackstone Cúil 5:14
3. Irish Ways & Irish Laws 6:01
4. Summertime 4:09
5. Scrawl 4:03
6. Cliffs of Moher 4:13 (Lyrics)
Website
Reverbnation
Click to buy:
CDbaby
Review by Kinksmarkham
