The Celtic Rock Project
O'Connell Street's ongoing effort to catalog and celebrate modern Celtic music
by Frank Lewis

A note on band music samples: These are wav files and need to be downloaded completely before playing.
They are not streaming audio.

Afro Celt Sound System
Base: London
Members: Simon Emmerson (guitars, keyboards, programming and production), Iarla O'Lionnaird (vocals), James McNally (whistles, accordian, bodhran, keyboards), N'Faly Kouyate (kora, balafon, vocals), Moussa Sissokho (talking drum, djembe), Myrdhin (harp), Martin Russell (sound engineer, keyboards, programing and production)
Discography: Volume 2: Release (1999), Volume 1: Sound Magic (1997)
Distinguishing feature: A dance-able and highly addicting fusion of Celtic and African sounds and modern club music (or "post-dance music," as Emmerson says)
Also worth noting: The band's electronic sound, though pervasive, never overwhelms the traditional instruments.
One great song: "Release," from Volume 2: Release (with guest vocalist Sinead O'Connor)
Name: Seems to have grown out of "Afro Celt Sound Magic," the words an artist incorporated into an illustration -- featuring a lion and a unicorn -- after hearing "Daande Lenol (Voice of My Race)," a song by African artist Baaba Maal with which Emmerson had mixed a low whistle track, provided by former Pogues member Davy Spillane, in 1992. ACSS grew from these collaborations.
Betcha didn't know: "Release" has been used in a pick-up truck commercial and as background mood music on MTV's The Real World.
www.afrocelts.com

Black '47
Base: New York City
Members: Larry Kirwan (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, piano), Fred Parcells (trombone, whistle, vocals), Geoffrey Blythe (sax), Thomas Hamlin (drums, percussion), Andrew Goodsight (bass, vocals)
Discography: Trouble in The Land (2000),Live in New York City (1999), Black 47, Fire of Freedom, Home of the Brave, Green Suede Shoes
Distinguishing feature: Attitude aplenty. Whether the topic is drinking or relationships or politics, Black '47's lyrics are as blunt and forceful as Kirwan's electric guitar. ("Pint glasses jump, dentures rattle, the patrons exit en masse, middle fingers erect, and we're off to another glorious night of light Irish entertainment." -- from the liner notes on Live in New York City)
Also worth noting: A wide-ranging sound; B47 may be the only Celtic rock act with a horn section, and they put it to good use. And don't forget a strong sense of history: the band has written songs about Bobby Sands, Michael Collins and Irish history in general. They even referred to their views in "Time to Go": "Saw something in the paper just the other day / It was all about a band and the music that they play / Black 47 advocates violence / Musical guerillas in their terrorist alliance / My anger subsided when I realized the source / An English rag and I said `Oh, of course' / It didn't shock me, 'cause my history / Tells me eight centuries of this, see- / Anytime anyone upsets the status quo / You're stabbed in the back by the so-called liberal whores / I know this much, this much I know / People are dying -- it's time to go."
One great song: "Trouble in the Land," (1.9mb) from Trouble in the Land.
Name: The term Black '47 refers to 1847, the worst year of the seven-year Irish famine. An estimated 400,000 starved to death that year.
Betcha didn't know: Co-founders Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne were fired from their first gig, a benefit at which they opened for political activist Bernadette Devlin McAliskey.
Black 47 Web Site



Blackthorn
Base: Philadelphia
Members: Paul Moore (lead vocals, guitar), John McGroary (button accordion), Seamus Kelleher (lead guitar), Johnny Boyce (keyboards), Mike Boyce (bass), Mike O'Callaghan (drums)
Discography: The Other Side (1998), Here We Go Again (1996), It's An Irish Thing (1994)
Distinguishing feature: Heavier reliance on accordion and keyboards. And guitarist Kelleher isn't adverse to soloing, a relative rarity in Celtic rock.
Also worth noting: An extensive repertoire of covers, including songs by The Pogues, U2 and the Saw Doctors.
One great song: "Ballad of the 15B," from The Other Side
Name: Blackthorn is "a European spiny plum with hard wood and small white flowers," according to our dictionary.
Betcha didn't know: The Other Side was the band's first all-original album, but it wasn't planned that way. When producer John Whelan heard the first few tunes singer/guitarist Paul Moore had come up with, he encouraged him to abandon the notion of producing a half-original, half-cover CD and pen some more. Moore reluctantly agreed, but later was glad he had. (Read O'Connell Street's October 1998 story .) Blackthorn Web Site



Casey Neill Trio
Base: Portland, Oregon
Members: Casey Neill (vocals, guitar), Zak Borden (mandolin, vocals, mandola, harmonica, bodhran), Anthea Lawrence (vocals, fiddle queen)
Discography: Skree (1999) (Neill also released a self-titled solo CD) Distinguishing feature: A heavy dose of mandolin, reminiscent of American rock band REM.
Also worth noting: Neill mixes and matches many styles; in his own words, "Celtrock, insurgent country, traditional Irish, and raggle-taggle folkpunk."
One great song: "A Mighty Love,"(3.9 mb) from Skree
Name: Duh.
Betcha didn't know: Casey contributed two tracks to Where Have All The Flowers Gone, a Pete Seeger tribute album
Casey Neill Trio Web Site



Ceili Rain
Base: Nashville, Tennessee
Members: Bob Halligan Jr. (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica), Raymond Arias (lead guitar, vocals), Lang Bliss (drums), Lance Hoppen (bass), Buddy Connelly (button accordion), Gretchen Priest (fiddle), Skip Cleavinger (tin whistle, bagpipes)
Discography: Say "KAY-lee" (1997)
Distinguishing feature: Christian lyrics. Actually, band leader and songwriter Halligan prefers the term "spiritual": "I wouldn’t want the fact that I’m a Catholic to turn off a Hindu. I take a bright view on any sincere seeker." But five songs he wrote have reached number one on the Contemporary Christian charts, including the (Christian) Rock Song of the Year, 1989.
Also worth noting: Halliagn considers Ceili Rain a pop band first, and indeed the fiddle, accordion, and pipes take a back seat to the guitars, keyboards and drums.
One great song: "Long Black Cadillac," from say "KAY-lee"
Name: Judging by Halligan’s song of the same name, it’s a metaphor for divine love: "We’re making a party / we’re feeling no pain / We’re drunk on the love that pours from above / in Your precious name / Lord, this is some party / but in it there’s no shame / We’re just high on the heavenly glow of Your glorious Ceili Rain."
Betcha didn’t know: An eclectic array of performers have recorded songs written by Halliagn: Judas Priest ("Some Heads Are Gonna Roll"), Cher ("Could’ve Been You"), Kiss ("Rise To It"), Joan Jett ("Outlaw"), Michael Bolton ("Gina," "Forever Eyes"), Blue Oyster Cult ("Make Rock Not War") and many others. Halligan’s wife Linda, a longtime Irish music fan, was the one who suggested he try combining Irish and rock.
Web site: www.ceilirain.com



Celtic Cross
Base: Clifton, N.J.
Members: Kathleen Fee (lead and backing vocals, bodhran), Kevin O'Neill (lead and backing vocals, drums), Walter Ensor (lead and backing vocals, guitars) Pat Dineen (lead and backing vocals, bass, piano accordion), John Vesey (button accordion), Ken Vesey (violins)
Discography: Last Call (1999), Part the First (1992)
Distinguising feature: An upbeat, easygoing blend of traditional Irish and modern American country.
Also worth noting: Almost everyone in this band sings, but co-lead vocalist Kathleen Fee is the clear standout.
One great song: "Perfect Harmony," from Last Call
Name: Ken Vesey says the name fits the band's music, "a cross of traditional Irish music and mixture of American, rock, rountry, and Cajun."
Betcha didn't know: Like many Celtic bands, Celtic Cross is partly a family affair: Ken Vesey, John Vesey and Kathy Fee are siblings.
Web site:www.celticcross.com



Celtic Soul
Base: Jacksonville, Florida
Members: Nick Watson (lead vocals, drums, percussion), Kevin Breslin (keyboards, guitar, harmonica, bodhran), Spade McQuade (guitar, mandolin, vocals) Jana Light (lead vocals, bodhran), Sandy Herrault (fiddle, backing vocals), Andy King (bass)
Discography: Takin' Down the Half-Door (1999)
Distinguising feature: An intriguing moodiness achieved with a light, skillful touch. The guitars, bass, keyboards and drums make themselves heard but never step in front of the more traditional sounds.
Also worth noting: Jana Light can almost singlehandedly make up for the lack of female lead vocalists in Celtic rock. Her strong, clear voice captures the emotion and nobility of traditional songs like
One great song: "I Will Go," from Takin' Down the Half-Door
Name: Watson says it refers to the fact that "we as a unit play from the inside. Fron the heart, I guess. [And] we think one can have their Soul deeply marinated in Celtic music without actually having the heritage or being a Celt for that matter." Amen.
Bethca didn't know: Drummer and singer Nick Watson spent three years with another Florida-based Celtic rock band, Seven Nations.
Web site: www.celticsoulband.com



The Devil's Advocates
Base: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Members:Diane George: tin whistle, vocals, Pedro Gingerich: bass, keyboards, vocals, nez d: guitar, vocals, Satchel Connolly: drums, Scott M.X. Turner: guitar, bodhrán, vocals. Discography: Snipers in Derelict Houses (1999), The Wrong Kind of Ass---- for America (1997), Ya Got a Kalashnikov Ya Got a Job (1993), Fire in the Hole (cassingle, 1993).
Distinguishing feature: A powerful sound, greater than the sum of its influences, which include punk, ska and raggae.
Also worth noting: High level of political awareness for Americans. Snipers includes nationalist-leaning songs about Bloody Sunday ("1 Para"), the Orange parades ("Summer on the Ormeau"), murdered attorney Pat Finucane ("Pat Finucane") and Irish political prisoners ("The Ones Behind the Wire").
One great song: "Andersontown," from Snipers in Derelict Houses.
Name: No significance. "We like how it sounds," explains Turner. "In fact, personally I hate people who play devil's advocate in discussions or (usually) arguments -- waste of breath that's usually more about people trying to sound clever instead of being constructive. It does have that sort of loud, confrontational feel to it though. [Like] us?"
Betcha didn't know: Turner and company clearly aren't in it for the money. Sales of Snipers benefit the Pat Finucane Center in Derry, and a recently released four-song single benefits the McAllister Family Justice Campaign an effort to prevent the U.S. government from deporting an Irish family back to Northern Ireland. ("Slan Abhaile," from Snipers, is about the McAllisters.).
Devil's Advocate Web Site



Flogging Molly
Base: Santa Monica, California
Members: Dave King (vocals and acoustic guitar), Dennis Casey (guitar), George Schwindt (drums), Bridget Regan (fiddle and tin whistle), Nathen Maxwell (bass), Matt Hensley (accordion), Robert Schmidt (mandolin and banjo)
Discography: Swagger (2000), Alive Behind The Green Door (1997)
Distinguishing feature: A hard, energetic, punk-influenced sound wrung largely from acoustic instruments
Also worth noting: The band's lyrics tend toward self-deprecation and lament, bordering on maudlin, but a wry (and distinctly Irish) humor is laced trhoughout
One great song: "Every Dog Has Its Day," from Swagger
Name: "'Molly' comes from an Irish bar called Molly Malones on Fairfax Boulevard in Hollywood, which eventually became the pub of our birth," says drummer George Schwindt. "We played there every Monday for no less than four years, which brings us to 'Flogging', as in beating/playing the poor establishment to death, until finally producing our current line-up of cardinal musicians. It is with this name and from this pub, that our musical modern-day Cantebury Tales began and continue to unravel ..."
Betcha didn't know: In the '80s, frontman Dave King was a member of the hard rock band Fastway ... Swagger was mixed and engineered by Steve Albini, who did the same for Nirvana's In Utero.
www.floggingmolly.com



Great Big Sea
Base: Newfoundland
Members: Alan Doyle (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin), Sean McCann (vocals, guitar, bodhran, tin whistle, snare drum), Darryl Power (vocals, bass, bones), Bob Hallett (vocals, button accordion, fiddle, tin whistle, mandola)
Discography: Turn (1999), Rant and Roar (1998), Play (1997), Up (1995), Great Big Sea (1993)
Distinguishing feature: A raucous yet polished sound that only immensely talented musicians can achieve.
Also worth noting: GSB is the best we know of at combining rock, North American folk and traditional Celtic styles without diluting any of them.
One great song: "The Night Pat Murphy Died," (2.7 mb) from Rant and Roar.
Name: We're not sure, but our guess is it has to do with the fact that it's an immigration reference: the band's sound is Celtic by way of Canada.
Betcha didn't know: Rant and Roar was the band's first album released in the U.S., but earlier albums have been extremely popular in Canada (Play sold 100,000 copies in three months).
Great Big Sea Web Site



The Indulgers
Base: Golden, Colorado
Members: Damien McCarron (vocals, guitars, bodhran), Mike Nile (vocals, guitars, mandolin, accordion, keys), Pat Murphy (drums, snare, bodhran), Chris Murtaugh (bass, toms), Renee Fine (fiddle)
Discography: In Like Flynn (1999)
Distinguishing feature: Dublin native McCarron’s deep, smooth voice, one of the best in Celtic rock.
Also worth noting: The band’s mixture of Irish and rock sounds is precise, and respectful to both genres.
One great song: "In Like Flynn," title track
Name: McCarron, using the name Damiem Promise, released a CD called A Matter of Indulgence in 1995, "mostly because I wanted to fulfill the dream of recording the songs I’d written in the early years of my time in the U.S. That record was supposed to be the only thing I’d ever do but here we are five years later with the band and its second CD nearly ready."
Betcha didn’t know: In its second year, the band won the Jim Beam-Hard Rock Cafe Back Room Band Search in Denver and Westword newspaper’s World Music Award. ... Fiddler Renee Fine is a member of the Boulder Orchestra.
Web site: www.shamrocker.com/indulgers



Kila
Base: Dublin
Members: Ronan O Snodaigh (bodhrán, djembe, congas, bongos, guitar, vocals), Rossa O Snodaigh (tin whistle, low whistle, clarinet, bones, bodhrán, bongos, congas, djembe, didgeratao, bandooria, darabuka, percussion, vocals), Colm O Snodaigh (flute, tin whistle, guitar, djembe, vocals, percussion), Lance Hogan (guitar, drum kit, djembe, dumbeg, percussion, vocals, bass), Brian Hogan (bass, double bass, guitar, mandolin, drums, vocals), Dee Armstrong (fiddle, viola, hammered dulcimer, accordion, bodhrán), Eoin Dillon (uileann pipes, tin whistle, low whistle, shakers, vocals)
Discography: Lemonade and Buns (2000), Tog E Go Bog E (1999 in U.S., 1997 in Ireland), Mind The Gap (1995)
Distinguishing feature: An energetic and utterly classification-defying blend of traditional Irish with modern and world influences
Also worth noting: Kila's music is not Celt rock, per se, but it's far too modern, it's influences too eclectic, to be considered trad. The range of styles is astounding (just look at how many instruments they all play). Most of the songs with lyrics are sung in Gaelic, but English translations are available on the band's web site (see below).
One great song: "On Taobh Tuathail Amach" ("From the Inside Out," pronounced ahn tev tula amock), from Tog E Go Bog E
Name: The name Kila was invented by Ronan in the days when he, Rossa Eoin and Colm played for money on the streets. Its meaning is unclear -- the band changes the story every time it's asked.
Betcha didn't know: Though still relatively new to American audiences, Kila has been around since the late 1980s. The current line-up came was finalized in 1996. www.kila.ie

The Pogues
Base: formed in London
Members (at time of break-up): Jem Finer (banjo, hurdy-gurdy, etc.), Darryl Hunt (bass, vocals), Spider Stacey (lead vocals, penny-whistle), and Andrew Rankin (drums), David Coulter (mandolin, etc.) James McNally (accordion, whistle, uilleann pipes, etc), Jamie Clarke (guitar, vocals).
Discography: The Best of the Pogues and The Rest of the Best (1997), Pogue Mahone (1995), Waiting for Herb (1993), Essential Pogues (1991), Hell's Ditch (1990), Peace and Love (1989), If I Should Fall From Grace (1988), Rum Sodomy and the Lash (1985), Red Roses for Me (1984)
Distinguishing feature: An acerbic yet strangely engaging, trad-influenced punk style punctuated for years by Shane McGowan's trademark three-pack-a-day voice. (Their record company once described the band's sound as "a hybrid between the Sex Pistols and the Chieftains.")
Also worth noting: Where to start? McGowan left -- or was booted, depending on whether he or the band are telling the story -- in 1991. He recorded with several other acts before going solo and forming his own band, The Popes. The remaining members recorded a few more albums, but disbanded indefinitely in 1996. Most have joined or formed other bands. (McNally co-founded a band we've been listening to a lot , Afro Celt Sound System.)
One great song: It would be heresy even to try, so we won't.
Name: The name The Pogues grew out of Spider Stacey's suggestion Pogue Mahone -- Gaelic for "kiss my arse."
Betcha didn't know: McGowan recorded a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" for a Nike commercial in 1996.
Web site: There's no official site, but www.pogues.com is the best we found of the many fan sites out there.



The Prodigals
Base: New York City
Members: Gregory Grene (vocals, button accordion), Andrew Harkin (bass), Ray Kelly (vocals, guitar), Brian Tracey (drums, percussion, backing vocals)
Discography: Go On (1999), The Prodigals (1998)
Distinguishing feature: Strong sound propelled by a powerful and innovative rhythm section. Also known for: Leaning closer to rock-influenced Irish music than Irish-influenced rock which is not as subtle a distinction as it may sound.
One great song: "Spancil Hill," (3.0 mb) from Go On
Name: A reference to the well-known Irish song "The Wild Rover": "I'll go home to my parents,confess what I've done, and I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son."
Betcha didn't know: Together just two years, the Prodigals have already played the Guinness Fleadh twice. And in 1999, readers of the Irish Echo voted The Prodigals the best Irish Rock/Pop act, over U2, Black '47, Saw Doctors, Van Morrison and Sinead O'Connor.
The Prodigals Web Site



The Saw Doctors
Base: County Galway
Members: Leo Moran (guitar, vocals), Davy Carton (vocals, guitar), Pearse Doherty (bass, vocals, flute, tin whistle), John Donnelly (drums)
Discography: Songs from Sun Street (1999); Same Oul' Town (1995); If This Is Rock & Roll I Want My Old Job Back (1991); All The Way From Tuam
Distinguishing feature: A "people's band," as one critic called them, in the tradition of the Grateful Dead and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Also known for: A pure, rousing sound, and lyrics that are sometimes sentimental, sometimes whimsical, and always unpretentious.
One great song: "Away with the Fairies," from Songs from Sun Street
Name: Saw doctors were Irish travelers who earned money by sharpeningsaws. (The name was meant to be temporary, until they came up with something better, but apparently they never did.)
Betcha didn't know: Though perhaps best known for the road anthem "N17," the band's first real hit was "I Useta Lover." It became Ireland's biggest-selling single ever.
The Saw Doctors Web Site



Seanchai and the Unity Squad
Base: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Members: Chris Byrne (vocals, tin whistle, uilleann pipes), (Geoff Blythe (saxophones), Jason Goodrow (guitar, bass), David Monoghan (mandolin), Nico Wormworth (turntables, vocals), Rachel Fitzgerald (vocals)
Discography: A Sunday at The Turn of The Century (2000), Rebel Hip-Hop, There Will Be Another Day
Distinguishing feature: Irish-American hip-hop
Also worth noting: Like Byrne's last band, Black 47, Seanchai and the Unity Squad moves easily from politics ("I Am Garvaghy Road," from A Sunday at The Turn of The Century) to party ("Live A Little And Dance").
One great song: "Let Me Tell You Where You're From," from A Sunday at The Turn of The Century
Name: Seanchai (shan-a-kee) is Irish Gaelic for storyteller.
Betcha didn't know: Byrne filed a suit against the BBC alleging copyright infringement and defamation for the network's unauthorized use of his pro-republican song "Fenians" in a news program about an alleged U.S.-Ireland gun-running ring.
www.seanchai.com

Seven Nations
Base: Florida
Members: Kirk McLeod (vocals, guitars, keyboards, Highland bagpipe), Struby (bass guitars and vocals), Ashton Geoghagan (drums), Scott Long (Highland bagpipes, shuttle pipes, mandolin), Dan Stacey (fiddle, viola, step dancing)
Discography: The Factory (1999), Road Kill Vol. I and Vol. II (1998), Big Dog (1996),Old Ground (1995), Rain and Thunder (1994)
Distinguishing feature: Bagpipes. Two of the band's five member's play Highland pipes, and you'd be amazed how well they work with modern beats.
Also known for: A fiercely loyal following, which says more about the band than any critic could. The fan club is large and surprisingly organized.
One great song: "Daze of Grace," from The Factory.(The most inventive rendition of "Amazing Grace" we've ever heard.)
Name: There are seven Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, The Isle of Mann and Galacia (Spain).
Betcha didn't know: Seven Nations has appeared in shows on The Discovery Channel and CNN, and "An Evening with Seven Nations" continues to air on PBS stations across the country.
Seven Nations Web Site



The Young Dubliners
Base: Southern California
Members: Keith Roberts (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Brendan Holmes (bass, vocals), Jeff Dellisanti (Hammond organ, piano, synths, flute, whistle), Mark Epting (violin, mandolin, harmonica), Bob Boulding (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals), Dave Ingram (drums)
Discography: Red (2000), Alive Alive O (1998), Breathe (1995), Rocky Road (1994)
Distinguishing feature: Highly polished pop-rock with trad influences
Also worth noting: The band's sound is wonderfully rich and textured, owing largely to Roberts' work on acoustic guitar and Dellisanti's on keyboards.
One great song: "Stop Me," from Red
Name: "When we started out here in L.A. we were 'the young lads from Dublin' to all that came," says lead singer Keith Roberts. "After a while the name Young Dubliners started to gain usage. We had no idea that record deals were coming and when they did we tried to change it but by now we were quite well known and the label refused."
Betcha didn't know: "Red," from the CD of the same name, was written by legendary songwriter and Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin. He's a huge fan.
www.youngdubs.com



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