REVIEW - DUST RHINOS "I Should Behave" (2015)

Dust Rhinos "I Should Behave"
Release date: 27 January 2015
Running time: 36:25, 10 tracks
 
Dust Rhinos are a band to file together with other Canadians bands such as Spirit of the West and Great Big Sea. Even if unfortunately the band fronted by Blair McEvoy has not got the same recognition, they have offered some of the best Celtic rock songs coming from Canada.

The Dust Rhinos have been around since 1992 and have released one EP (“Second Set”, 2007), one compilation of their two early albums ("Prehistoric - The Songs of Helter Celtic & On a Rampage", 2010) and seven studio albums. The latest one is titled “I Should Behave” and has been released thanks to an IndieGoGo campaign. The album, produced by Murray Pulver, has been recorded by the same musicians that recorded their previous effort, “The Day After the Night Before” (2009), that is, Blair McEvoy on lead vocals, guitar and bodhrán, Dale Brown on fiddle mandolin and bckg. vocals, Dan Cannon on bass and bckg. vocals, Andy Bart on fiddle, mandolin and bckg. vocals and Darren Wittmann on drums.

What can you find on “I Should Behave”? A couple of standards, a traditional shanty  and seven originals. Regarding the standards, “Rocky Road to Dublin” gets a Celtic punk treatment with Blair strong vocals, plenty of fiddle and a great rhythm section. Besides, a fast-paced tune has been added at the end of the song. Even if it’s a fecking good take, I prefer their rendition of “Mad Tom of Bedlam”. The intensity of the song grows little by little from a jazzy beginning to a fiddle attack à La Bottine Souriante.

Regarding the self-penned numbers, IMHO the standouts are the opening track “Friends of Mine”, a fantastic fiddle led anthem (“United we stagger and divided we fall/ We will stand together, all for one and one for all”), the country infused “Buy the Band a Round”, “Ballad of Billy Miner” (reminiscent of the Oysterband) and “Drank the Whole Town Dry” with its fiddle and mandolin tunes.

Apart from those numbers, check out the traditional shanty “Hog Eye Man” and the closing track “I Should Behave”, a comedy number about waking up after drinking with the boys.

As you can see, the album cover is amazing. And talking about album covers, Dust Rhinos are sorely missing Des McLoughlin, their “Got Guinness” cover boy and staple of the Toad in the Hole pub who recently passed away.

“I Should Behave” is available at CDBaby, iTunes and Amazon. Go ahead and grab a copy of the latest album by the Celtic rockers from the Canadian prairie.

Tracklist:

01 - Friends of Mine 3:24
02 - Mad Tom of Bedlam 3:13
03 - Drive All Night 4:10
04 - Rocky Road to Dublin 5:13
05 - Hold Back the Water 3:35
06 - Buy the Band Round 2:41
07 - Ballad of Billy Miner 3:20
08 - Hog Eye Man 3:07
09 - Drank the Whole Town Dry 3:11
10 - I Should Behave 4:09

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Review by Kinksmarkham

FREE DOWNLOAD - SCORDISCI "Birdie's Song"

An edit version of Scordisci song "Birdie's Song" is included in the Serbian Rockaway Lake Battle of the Bands album that is available for free at Bandcamp.

DOWNLOAD:

Bandcamp (Only Scordisci's song)

Bandcamp (Full album)

REVIEW - THE HUMBLE HOOLIGANS "Breaking Through" (2014)

The Humble Hooligans "Breaking Through" Self-released
Release date: 28 February 2014
Running time: 21:00, 6 tracks

The Humble Hooligans hail from Long Beach. They are part of the So-Cal Celtic rock scene with the likes of Brick Top Blaggers and American Wake. The band have been around since 2004 in different incarnations from 2 members to 7 members. They have released a couple of live albums (2008 and 2012) and an Irish album (2013). “Breaking Through” is a 6 track EP featuring mostly original songs.

“Breaking Through” was released at the end of February 2014 and then the band’s  line-up was Troy Rulmyr (vocals, guitar), Bill Singer (vocals, mandolin), Brian Carroll (accordion), Heath Milton (vocals, bass), Helmut de la Cruz (Drums). Their friend Matt Maulding (Brick Top Blaggers) guested on the opening track “Drowsy Maggie/After Awhile”.

My fave numbers are “Come Back to Me” and “Never Met a Girl”. Curiously, live versions of both songs can be found on their 2012 live album “Live at the Auld Dubliner”. “Come Back to Me” has a kick-ass mandolin part reminiscent of the early Mahones albums and the accordion on “Never Met a Girl” is slightly different from the other tracks on the EP.

The set “Drowsy Maggie/After Awhile” is very interesting too, since the former is a tune and the latter is a song, but they match perfectly well. “Salty Girls” is a polka featuring amazing mandolin again, a backing accordion and clappings too.

Fans will be familiar with “Sweet Magdalene”, as The Humble Hooligans released a video for this song last September and it was posted here.

Finally, “Young Ned of The Hill” is a reggae infused cover of the Terry Woods and Ron Kavana’s classic from The Pogues “Peace & Love” album (remember that the “original” version of this song is featured on Kean Loach’s “Hidden Agenda” movie)

“Breaking Through” is delivered in a sleeve. The back side has a big picture of the band, their old logo and the track list.

The Humble Hooligans current line-up is Troy Rulmyr (vocals, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, tin whistle), Kevin Patrick Taylor (accordion), Eric Awesome (drums) and Eloy Palacios (bass). The band is working on a European tour. They have confirmed gigs in France, Scotland, Ireland, and Sweden, but they want/need more. If you haven't reached out to them and know a bar, venue or person to contact, please let them know, it will narrow their search exponentially.

Tracklist:

1 - Drowsy Maggie/After Awhile 5:05
2 - Come Back to Me 3:06
3 - Salty Girls 2:57
4 - Sweet Magdalene 3:09
5 - Never Met a Girl 2:54
6 - Young Ned of the Hill 3:46

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Interview at Celtic Life International

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Review by Kinksmarkham

BAND OF THE MONTH - PIÑATA PROTEST

Punk rock like abuela used to make!
 

Piñata Protest is an accordion fronted punk rock band from Texas. The San Antonio band’s fusion of Tex-Mex and punk is a fresh sound the LA Weekly hails as “festively energetic,” and NPR alt Latino deems “brilliant” and “mind blowing.” It’s Selena meets Slayer. An intoxicating border mash up of The Ramones and Ramon Ayala.

The group rapidly rose from being “one of the most original forces on the local music scene" (San Antonio Current) to cutting a feisty debut album, Plethora, to launching onto the road playing with such acts as Girl in a Coma, Reverend Horton Heat, The Hickoids, Brujeria, Lower Class Brats, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Mustard Plug plus appearances at such festivals as South By Southwest, Chicago's Latino Fest and the American Sabor Music Festival and Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair in San Antonio.

On the band’s new EP, El Valiente, a joint release by Cosmica Records and Saustex Media, the band’s irreverently self-described “mojado punk” develops and explodes into a strong and cohesive mix of punk rock aggression, cheeky riffs on Mexican standards, and original songs reflecting their lives, influences, and desire for a mosh pit, Tejano style. Noted Grammy-nominated producer Chris "Frenchie" Smith (The Toadies, And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Built to Spill), produced the new album and captures the band’s sound that critics praise as "fiery punk rock" that "use[s] the traditional squeeze box in unexpected ways."

"This bilingual accordion-fronted quartet is committed to the notion that old-school punk rock and old-school Latin border music can be fused into something modern. And loud," notes The New York Times. As singer/accordionist Alvaro Del Norte stresses, it's simply an organic development out of the differing sounds that the band members all heard as they grew up and came of age. And from his belief that music should first and foremost provide a fun release from the rigors of everyday life. Along with del Norte, Piñata Protest is comprised of guitarist Marcus Cazares and his bassist twin brother Matt and drummer JJ Martinez.

Songs like "Vato Perron," "Tomorrow, Today" and the title track, “El Valiente,” perfectly capture the band’s signature blend of speeded up Tex Mex, buzzing guitars, and way witty Spanglish lyrics. "Life On The Border" explores the insider/outsider Mexican Americans experience in a bright accordion-led punk rock drinking song. And in the band’s cover of the classic Mexican ranchera standard “Volver, Volver,” Piñata playfully sticks to the songs lyrical traditions while adding a punk rock element making the classic tune equally at home in a San Antonio West Side beer joint or in a So Cal punk rock club. The band closes the set with a pummeling burst of wham, bam, thank you ma'am fury on "Que Pedo" which shifts back and forth from punk to speed metal and back again in the course of its blistering 45 second running time.

"It captures a moment of coming together as a band and breaking out of our shell," says Del Norte, of their road seasoned sound that El Valiente takes to a whole new level. As the Phoenix New Times observes, "When you think about the dichotomy of growing up Chicano, the fusion actually makes perfect sense."

Del Norte readily admits, for much of his life he rejected the traditional Mexican-American music he heard at home growing up in San Antonio. “I hated Tejano and conjunto and anything in Spanish. Didn’t think it was cool,” he explains.

Instead he dug R&B and pop/Top 40 music until he heard in bands like The Ramones, The Clash and Black Flag a sound, attitude and messages that spoke to his feelings, experiences and soul. He learned to play bass and did time in a punk rock and an emo band. After High School, Del Norte had a change of heart regarding the Mexican music he grew up with. Born in Nuevo Laredo into a family that immigrated to Texas undocumented (and later became naturalized), Alvaro soon realized Tejano, norteño and conjunto spoke to a part of who he was, as well as speaking to larger cultural and human issues.

At Palo Alto Community College in San Antonio, he studied accordion with master player Juan Tejeda, a respected folklorist and founder of San Antonio’s Tejano Conjunto Festival. It led Del Norte to start a band that combined the punk style he loved with his Tejano/norteño musical roots he had grown to appreciate. “I was sick and tired of bands all sounding the same. I thought long and hard: What can I do to do something different, something fun?” he explains.

He started recruiting musicians at Snaps Skate Shop, a skateboard store in a funky old warehouse with a half-pipe inside that was a San Antonio punk scene gathering spot. It’s also where the first version of Piñata Protest debuted, although their inaugural show was almost derailed when police raided the joint. Undaunted, the band set up outside and played unplugged.

"I remember just having a puzzled look when Alvaro first told me about his idea of fusing the accordion with punk music, but he had a few raw recordings that honestly blew my mind," says Martinez, a human tattoo collection who honed his taut drum chops playing heavy metal, indie-punk, pop-punk and hardcore. Too busy in other bands to take up Del Norte's invitation to help start the group, he later saw a show "and fell in love and totally regretted not joining." He eagerly jumped onto the Piñata Protest drum stool a little later when the invite came again.

The brothers Cazares also grew up with the same cross-cultural musical mix as Del Norte and Martinez plus similarly playing in punk, emo and hardcore bands. Bassist Marcus, an automotive and lowrider culture buff, was the first to sign on. Guitarist Matt, a professional tobacconist who collects rare cigars and pipes, was "already a fan" when he was recruited as a last-minute fill-in and quickly earned his full member stripes.

Crisscrossing the country on tour, the band honed their sound to a razor's edge sharpness and high wattage energy and racked up media praise in their wake for the band's rollicking powerhouse live performances: "This band is manic, Hispanic, accordion driven, and loaded with punk rock attitude. Alvaro Del Norte squeezes and plies the keys of his accordion with frenzied energy, [and] he's an amazing performer. He leaps about, spins around the stage and even does windmills on his accordion a la Pete Townshend. He exudes charisma from every pore" (East Portland Blog). "They are a band that is in your face, and living proof that musical cultures can combine to create something powerful. And live they are impossible to resist. If you’re not dancing, then you can’t be in that room, because the energy is just that intense" (Salt Lake City's Rebel Gurrl). "From the moment Piñata Protest took the stage, [the club] was at full throttle. Sweat-soaked shenanigans and musical insanity ensued …and the women went wild!" (San Francisco's The Owl). "A damn good show" (Phoenix New Times).

"We've really grown together musically," Del Norte observes. "We're friends and hang out with one another outside the band. We've gotten really comfortable with each other. We can almost predict what someone is going to play. It's like finishing each other's sentences. Everybody has a lot of enthusiasm and is on the same page. We're a family now." Playing both the rock club tour circuit and Mexican American celebrations in and around their hometown, Piñata Protest have been pleased to see that their appeal ranges from sweet old abuelas to little kids as well as the toughest Chicano vatos to indie rock'n'rollers.

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Discography:

Plethora (2010, 13 tracks)
Plethora Reloaded (2012, 13 tracks)
El Valiente (2013, 9 tracks)

Line-up:

Alavro del Norte - Accordion, lead vocals
JJ Martinez - Drums
Marcus Cazares - Bass
Matt Cazares - Guitar

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VIDEO - DEN RAW FOLK "les filles du quai" (album version)

Den Raw Folk have released a new vid for "Les filles du quai". The version that can be heard is taken from the album "Urban Romance".

Den Raw Folk - Les filles du quai (album version)

FREE DOWNLOAD - CACHIRULOS XL "Con el León"

Cachirulos XL have just recorded a Real Zaragoza football song, "Con el león".

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Jamendo

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HELP THE FATTY FARMERS TO RELEASE THEIR THIRD ALBUM

(Info from Verkami)

The Fatty Farmers thought that you can take part in this record and the best way is through the crowdfunding collaboration.

So we've chosen to finance half of this project, exactly 80% of the cost of the disc recording, mixing, mastering, design, prints, t-shirts and music videos through crowdfunding.

Budget:

- Audio Recording and mixing: 2.900 €
- Mastering: 210 €
- Design / Art: 450 €
- Disc: CD + booklet: 700 €
- T-shirts: 500 €

Total: € 4.760 €

We are proud to announce, that we will enter the Studio in Toledo on the 21 of Abril 2015 and the new album will be ready in July.

You help us by paying in advance the album, T-shirt, or whatever you want ..... and with that money we can record our new album, make T-shirts, etc and we´ll send it as soon as possible. We´ll have 40 days to get the money and if we don´t get it, money will not come out from our pockets.

Take a closer look at the rewards, we adjusted for all budgets. You can participate in the new album very actively.

On the website of Verkami have a blog where you can ask us any question or suggestion and we will answer you quickly

Click here to go to Verkami

 

REVIEW - STONE CLOVER "Proper Villains" (2015)

Stone Clover "Proper Vilains" Self-released
Release date: 7 March 2015
Running time: 30:44, 10 tracks

Stone Clover is Paul Brady (lead vocals, guitar), Ian Dixon (bass, back. vocals), Taylor Izak (fiddle, bckg. vocals), Matthew Flannery (mandolin, banjo and accordion) and Marc Williams (drums). They wrote one of the best Celtic drinking songs of the recent years, “Awesome”, a song that can be found on their previous live album. Fortunately, a studio take has been included on their latest offering “Proper Villains”.

“Proper Villains” is not a suitable album for teetotal people, since it’s full of songs about booze. For instance, “One More Beer” and “Last Night” are amazing (and funny) numbers about going on the lash. Or “Binge and Purge”, just listen to their lyrics “I’ve never met a bottle that I didn’t like” and enjoy the  catchy “la da da da da” chorus. Or “The Burn What Makes Me Ill”, another outstanding number. Together with these drinking songs, there is an interesting sea song, the closing number “Brine”

But there is place for other musical directions. “Coupe De Ville” is one of my faves, maybe because the fiddle sounds different. And “Cupid’s Lament” features some sad fiddle and accordion with a slight British twist.

The album is packed in a jewel case. The 4 page booklet includes the lyrics to all of the songs, personnel, credits and thank yous. Other bands from Michigan such as Bill Grogan’s Goat and The Codgers are thanked, together with the following breweries: Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, Rochester Mills Beer Company, Dragonmead Microbrewery and Michigan Brewers Guild. 

The digital version of the album has a couple of bonus tracks, the radio edits for “Awesome” and “Bounce, Bounce”

Stone Clover have released an awesome drinking songs album based on original compositions. They also play Irish standards live, but on  "Proper Villains" they have focused on their own stuff, and I feel that this is the approach that the scene needs. If you are looking for fun and drinking songs, then  Stone Clover “Proper Villains” is the right album to party.

Tracklist:

01 - One More Beer 02:55
02 - Devil On A Side Street 02:26
03 - Binge & Purge 03:05
04 - The Burn What Makes Me Ill 02:40
05 - Awesome 02:51
06 - Last Night 02:32
07 - Bounce Bounce 03:28
08 - Coupe DeVille 02:45
09 - Cupid's Lament 04:19
10 - Brine 03:38

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Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEO - THE ROGUES FROM COUNTY HELL "Irish Dervish"

Video for the song "Irish Dervish" from The Rogues from County Hell CD "Irish Dervish".

The Rogues from County Hell - Irish Dervish

 

FREE DOWNLOAD - SEPTEM CUSTODES "Demo 2014"

Septem Custodes hail from Madrid (Spain) and play progressive folk rock. Their "Demo 2014" is vailable for free (Name Your Price).

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Line-up:

Jose - Whistles, bagpipes, bodhrán
Rober Lago - Traverse flute, whistles and ocarina
Rober Metal - Drums
Cristina - Guitar, backing vocals
Aníbal - Lead vocals, keyboards
David Payno - Bass, bck. vocals
Dani Iscariote, a la voz principal.

DOWNLOAD:

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VIDEO - O'CRAVEN "War March"

O'Craven live video for "War March".

"O'Craven LIVE at the Motopool automotive in Campbell C.A. for there annual St. Paddy's day show. Preforming "War March" written, and composed by O'Craven. Filmed and produced by Brigade Concert Cinema, and Logan Parks. March 2015"

O'Craven - War March

REVIEW - THE ROGUES FROM COUNTY HELL "Irish Dervish" (2015)

The Rogues from County Hell "Irish Dervish" Psycho Recordings

Release date: 21 March 2015

Running time: 16:05, 6 tracks

Curiously, a back to The Pogues wave has arrived to the Celtic punk scene. Keily’s Folk covered “The Old Main Drag” on their latest album; The Rathmines were formed after seeing The Pogues live; the Catalonian band Sigelpa has covered “Bottle of Smoke” on their brand new EP; and the German band The Rogues from County Hell introduce themselves as a Pogues tribute band.

The Rogues from County Hell is a new eight piece band that has recently released a 6 track mini-album. They are Acci (vocals), Patrick (banjo, mandolin, vocals), Wulla (accordion), Udo (drums), Merkel (bass, vocals), Donny (electric guitar), Tina (tin whistle,flute) and Hotte (acoustic guitar, vocals). Their mini-album is titled “Irish Dervish” and was recorded by Heiko Merten and mixed and mastered by Martin Don Schneider at Psycho Recordings.

“Irish Dervish” consists of 4 traditional standards previously recorded by The Pogues and two originals (“Irish Dervish” and “Shane”) written by banjoist Patrick Helle. As usual, I prefer to focus on the self-penned stuff. Both “Irish Dervish” and “Shane” (a tribute to Shane MacGowan) are upbeat and catchy songs that are a good starting point for the band’s career.

As far as the covers are concerned, although they remain faithful to The Pogues takes, all of them are faster renditions played with gusto.

The mini-album is delivered in a gatefold sleeve that has been designed by David Moos at Omma Hädwich Grakikstube. Band members pics and credits are stated. Maybe it would have been a good idea to include the lyrics to the original songs too.

“Irish Dervish” is a nice collection of songs in The Pogues vein. Next stop: a full album featuring more original material.

Tracklist:

1 - Irish Dervish 2:43

2 - The Leaving of Liverpool 2:37

3 - Shane 2:38

4 - The Greenland Whale Fisheries 2:10

5 - The Star of the County Down 2:45

6 - The Irish Rover 3:09

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Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEOS - GHOSTS OF BANNOCKBURN

Some live videos by Ghosts of Bannockburn.

Ghosts of Bannockburn - Will Ye Nae Come Back Again



Ghost of Bannockburn - Keelhauled

FREE DOWNLOAD - X-FANEKAES DEMOS

X-Fanekaes (Valencia Region, Spain) are sharing their 2 track demo for free at Bandcamp.

DOWNLOAD:

Bandcamp

FREE DOWNLOAD - SIGELPA "Ens van diagnosticar un transtorn" (2015)

Sigelpa have just released a 5 track EP titled "Ens van diagnosticar un transtorn".

It can be downloaded from Bandcamp (Name Your Price)

DOWNLOAD:

Bandcamp

FEATURED ALBUMS AT CELTIC-FOLK-PUNK RADIO (24-26 APRIL 2015)

The Rogues from Co. Hell "Irish Dervish", Stone Clover "Proper Vilains" and Roving Crows "Up Heaval" are the featured albums at Celtic-Folk-Punk Radio.

Other bands that will be played: The Real McKenzies "Rats in the Burlap", Mr. Irish Bastard "The World, The Flesh and the Devil", The South Shore Ramblers "Demo 2015", Sigelpa "Single-A saia da Carolina", Septem Custodes "Demo 2014", The Folkies "Demo", Mala Suerte "La herencia de los náufragos" and Loretta Problem "Celebrate Now + Singles"

This is the weekend schedule:

Friday 24 April 2015

6h00, 10h00, 14h00, 18h00 and 22h00 (CET, Paris-Berlin-Rome time)

Saturday 25 April 2015

2h00, 6h00, 10h00, 14h00, 18h00 and 22h00 (CET, Paris-Berlin-Rome time)

Sunday 26 April 2015

2h00 (CET, Paris-Berlin-Rome time)

There are two different playlists, and therefore every 4 hours the songs won't be the same. Besides, the order will be different every day. That is, if you can only listen to the radio on Friday,  for instance, at 22h00, you can listen again on Saturday at 22h00, since the songs won't be exactly the same.

Tune in and enjoy!

http://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/celtic-folk-punk/index

http://celtic-folk-punk.playtheradio.com

http://tunein.com/station/?StationId=196762

MORE NEWS!!!!

A live album and a seminal studio album will be played every two Saturdays. These are the albums that will be played on Saturday 25 April 2015:

- Celtas Cortos "Nos vemos en los bares" (1997) at 20:00 CET 

- The Men They Couldn't Hang "Silver Town + Demos" (1989) at 23:08 CET

FEATURED ALBUMS AT CELTIC-FOLK-PUNK RADIO (24-26 APRIL 2015)

The Rogues from Co. Hell "Irish Dervish", Stone Clover "Proper Vilains" and Roving Crows "Up Heaval" are the featured albums at Celtic-Folk-Punk Radio.

Other bands that will be played: The Real McKenzies "Rats in the Burlap", Mr. Irish Bastard "The World, The Flesh and the Devil", The South Shore Ramblers "Demo 2015", Sigelpa "Single-A saia da Carolina", Septem Custodes "Demo 2014", The Folkies "Demo", Mala Suerte "La herencia de los náufragos" and Loretta Problem "Celebrate Now + Singles"

This is the weekend schedule:

Friday 24 April 2015

6h00, 10h00, 14h00, 18h00 and 22h00 (CET, Paris-Berlin-Rome time)

Saturday 25 April 2015

2h00, 6h00, 10h00, 14h00, 18h00 and 22h00 (CET, Paris-Berlin-Rome time)

Sunday 26 April 2015

2h00 (CET, Paris-Berlin-Rome time)

There are two different playlists, and therefore every 4 hours the songs won't be the same. Besides, the order will be different every day. That is, if you can only listen to the radio on Friday,  for instance, at 22h00, you can listen again on Saturday at 22h00, since the songs won't be exactly the same.

Tune in and enjoy!

http://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/celtic-folk-punk/index

http://celtic-folk-punk.playtheradio.com

http://tunein.com/station/?StationId=196762

MORE NEWS!!!!

A live album and a seminal studio album will be played every two Saturdays. These are the albums that will be played on Saturday 25 April 2015:

- Celtas Cortos "Nos vemos en los bares" (1997) at 20:00 CET 

- The Men They Couldn't Hang "Silver Town + Demos" (1989) at 23:08 CET

REVIEW - KEILY'S FOLK "AIRISH- Another Italian Rover and Irish Singer History" (2014)

Keily's Folk "AIRISH - Another Italian Rover and Irish Singer History" Self-released
Release date: 12 September 2014
Running time: 45:55, 12 tracks

Keily’s Folk are Alice Visconti (fiddle and vocals), Massimo Caserio (guitar, bouzouki, banjo, mandolin and vocals), Roberto Cilia (acoustic bass and whistle) and Diego Zanetto (drums and vocals). With the help from former member Franco Tonso (accordion), Simone Boglia (Flute) and Diego Roffino (trumpet), they released their 4th album in 2014: "AIRISH-Another Italian Rover & Irish Singer History” . The album is a well-balanced blend of self-penned songs, Irish and American standards and several covers (Fabrizio de Andrè, The Pogues, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash and Flogging Molly). Keily’s Folk originally was a trio playing acoustic Irish music and little by little they evolved into a folk rock band. They say that they “saw the light” in 2013 at a Flogging Molly gig. So, Keily’s Folk could be described as a folk rock band similar to Delilah’s Revenge with some Oysterband drops.

The album begins with and Alice’s song, “L’irlandese”. The lyrics in Italian are about a guy who “is not red-haired, doesn’t speak English, doesn’t drink stout, but they call him the Irishman”. It’s a lively song featuring fiddle and tin whistle which is followed by “Is Fada”, another original. This one is sung by Alice. It has an acoustic guitar intro in the British folk-rock vein and a fantastic fiddle theme. The second half of the song is a little bit slower and Franco guests on accordion.

The next numbers are a couple of American standards. The first one merges two songs that can be found on Bruce Springsteen “We Shall Overcome – The Seeger Sessions” album: “Old Dan Tucker” and “Pay Me My Money Down”. Both of them have boy and girl vocals. The former features mainly mandolin and fiddle and the latter has some accordion at the end. “Marching through Georgia” is the other American standard, a fast-paced banjo and fiddle led song.

Keily’s Folk shift from the USA to Ireland in track no. 5, "Matt Hoon Set", a set of tunes consisting of “Fermoy Lasses”, “The Congress Reel” and “The Crooked Road to Dublin”. Taking into account that the band started as an Irish folk band, they are able to deliver an amazing rocking version adding drums and acoustic bass.

"Galway Girl” is the first of the XXIst century classics that Keily’s Folk cover on this album. The Steve Earle’s song has been covered by other Italian acts such as Meneguinness and Lennon Kelly. Anyway, Keily’s Folk deliver a kick ass rendition. Everything match perfectly well: Alice’s vocals and fiddle, Franco on accordion, Diego on drums and Massimo on acoustic guitar and backing vocals.

Before The Pogues cover there is another upbeat song sung in Italian (even if the title is in English): “Give Me Another Beer”. The song features tributes to Bob Geldof (“The Great Song of Indifference”) and Flogging Molly (the “Delilah” live version at the end of the song) and is the proof that Keily’s Folk can play Celtic punk drinking songs too.

“Old Main Drag” is a personal fave. I’ve always love this song and Keily’s Folk version is really impressive.

Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire” has become a standard, but it’s always a winner. Diego Roffino guests on trumpet on this cover sung by Alice. There are great backing vocals and awesome accordion arrangements.

I have mixed feelings with Keily’s Folk version of “Star of the Co. Down” There are interesting fiddle arrangements and a nice tune at the end has been added. However, I feel that the vocals are a little bit tame. IMHO, they would be OK for “Dives and Lazarus”, another song with the same music, but not for “Star of the Co. Down”

The second classic from the XXIst century to be covered is “Drunken Lullabies”. This Flogging Molly song and Dropkick Murphys “Shipping Up to Boston” are played by every single band at their gigs. Curiously, not so many covers have been recorded so far. Keily’s Folk play a respectful version of the song.

To finish up, Keily’s Folk cover the Italian songwriter Fabrizio de Andrè. Alice vocal performance is first class. Once again, Keily’s Folk pay tribute to Flogging Molly, as a small part of “If I Ever Leave This World Alive” can be heard.

“AIRISH-Another Italian Rover and Irish Singer History” packaging is a four panel digipack. It includes a full band pic, old member Franco Tonso pic, line-up, guests and thank yous. No lyrics for the self-penned songs are provided.

Keily’s Folk fourth album is a highly recommendable CD. The band is really solid and if they are able to write more originals for their next album and improve the English pronunciation, I’m sure  that they’ll reach a wider audience.

Tracklist:

01 - L'irlandese 3:15
02 - Is fada 4:49
03 - Old Dan Tucker/ Pay me my Money Down 5:17
04 - Marching Through Georgia 3:51
05 - Matt Hoon Set (Fermoy Lasses / Congress Reel / The Crooked Road to Dublin) 3:13
06 - Galway Girl 3:51
07 - Give Me Another Beer 3:21
08 - Old Main Drag 3:53
09 - Ring of Fire 3:21
10 - Star of the County Down 3:37
11 - Drunken Lullabies 4:10
12 - La Canzone del Maggio 3:14

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Contact the band to buy the CD:
 

info@keilysfolk.it

Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEOS - THE REAL MCKENZIES

Some The Real McKenzies live videos in HD. All the songs from their new album "Rats in the Burlap"

The Real McKenzies - Midnight Train to Moscow

The Real McKenzies - Stephen's Green



The Real McKenzies - Yes

VIDEO - THE ROGUES FROM COUNTY HELL "Shane"

The Rogues from County Hell are from Germany. They have recently released a 6 track mini-album, "Irish Dervish" that will be reviewed soon. This is the video for the song "Shane", a tribute to Shane MacGowan.

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Line-up:

Acci - lead vocals

Patrick - banjo, mandolin

Udo - drums

Hotte - guitar

Meykel - bass, vocals

Wulla - accordion

Tina - whistles

Martin - mandolin, acoustic guitar

The Rogues from County Hell - Shane