Reviews of recent releases from Irish and Irish American artists. CONTEMPORARY Cashier No. 9 To the Death of Fun Belfast has for many years been a hub for contemporary Irish music. One of the newest acts to emerge from the hometown of Van Morrison is Cashier No. 9. After securing gigs opening for Snow Patrol and playing at the famed Glastonbury Music Festival, the quintet … [Read more...] about Music Reviews
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Music Reviews
Reviews of recent releases from Irish and Irish-American artists. Barleyjuice Skulduggery Street A band sure to come under their fair share of Pogue comparisons, Barleyjuice’s new album Skulduggery Street is a collection of energetic songs with a punk rock bite. The early tracks walk a dangerous line that could pigeonhole them into the same street-rock-meets-pub-seisiun that … [Read more...] about Music Reviews
An Irish Tune-Up for Cuba: Una Corda, The Soft Pedal
Since 2006, many visitors traveling from Ireland to Cuba have carried slightly heavier than usual suitcases. In addition to their clothes, toiletries and other necessities, they have been carrying piano parts and tools for tuning and repair. They have transported a total of more than 500 pounds, to date, all of which has been given to Havana’s National Workshop for Musical … [Read more...] about An Irish Tune-Up for Cuba: Una Corda, The Soft Pedal
Celtic Thunder’s Global Appeal
The latest Irish invasion offers a cross section of music from traditional to pop – to everyone’s delight. As I sit down in Radio City Music Hall, I think I know exactly what I’m getting myself into. I’m here on a Friday night to see Celtic Thunder, yet another Irish musical export that has exploded in popularity across the United States. Since their formation in 2006 by … [Read more...] about Celtic Thunder’s Global Appeal
Music Reviews
Susan McKeown and Lorin Sklamberg Saints & Tzadiks In this self-titled album, Saints & Tzadiks, Susan McKeown and Lorin Sklamberg come together on a musical endeavor which takes traditional Irish language songs and Yiddish folk songs and bridges the gap between the two rather similar genres. The pair have worked together before, memorably with the Klezmatics, which … [Read more...] about Music Reviews