Posted in: Musicouching by MartineP on December 15th, 2009 | 0 Comments
My favorite album so far by this American Celtic musician. Since I already reviewed his latest "The Bridge", I will try to go backword on having some more done.
First thing that strikes me is that this album is out in 2 covers. Some might have a preference, but personally I do like them both.
You will have a fancy fun colorful one by Ingrid Houwers, a great Dutch artist who lives in Northern Ireland and you can check out on her website.
The next design is the artist as a grim reaper with his autoharp, done by Nikki O’Shea, who also draws crazy adventures of this bard in the bardscomic. Check her out.
Now to the album, that you can purchase in one of both of the covers, that also contains music.
It has 13 tracks and me being a tarot reader and the subject of the album, well … I do like it.
Here my ideas song by song:
Isn’t It Grand, Boys?
They can play that at my funeral! Love this traditional song about the hypocrisy of mourners. Well performed and it was obvious that the musicians had as much fun performing it, as I had listening to it.
Won’t You Come With Me?
An original by Marc about how you should be picky on who you should pick up along your way. There is a great video of it available on Youtube. Great song with a nice swing. The end might be a little predictable, but why else should it be on this album?
Twa Corbies
Another traditional and my absolute favorite about two crows figuring out how to discompose the body of a fresh killed knight. Despite the horror team, this is one that you just can not sit still on.
Clementine Blues
The well known traditional about Darling Clementine, brought in a more bluesy way. I must say this is the song I least liked in the album, because … well, blues is just not my style.
Johnny Jump Up
Another fun traditional about somebody that drunk himself to death and well is stuck in limbo between heaven and earth. Well done and a great fun version of the many covered song.
Jug of Punch
Traditional that sounds great and keeps stuck in your head a bit. A happy tune about death indeed.
Red, Red and Black
Marc’s composition about the black death. Well done. Also a bit more bluesy than what I like, but still I do enjoy this song. The lyrics are just great.
Whiskey, You’re the Devil
A kind of traditional mix song that just makes you happy and that just invites to get up and dance.
High Jeannie High
Like this song about a young girl marrying an old man and getting rid of him in a kind of not so humane way.
Rosin the Bow
My favorite version of this traditional I heard many more versions of.
Foggy Dew
Normally my number one rebel song and I must say I had to get used to this blues version of it. Somehow I like it, although I do think I will prefer the Wolfetones version of this one. Some claim this is good, others condemn it. Just listen and judge for yourself.
Waxies Dargle
Another one of my favorites. Love the “swung” of this song that only leaves me with one negative comment: I always think it ends too soon, but that is mostly because I have fun with it.
I’ll Drink from Dusk ‘Til Dawn
One of Marc’s first traditional style songs that also is known as “Johnny at the Door” and that I also heard a kitty parody of. Remains fun and I love it.
For more info you can go to the artist’s website.
