Customer Reviews

Long Grazing Acre

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Paddy Keenan is almost a mythical figure -- born into a travelling (gypsy) family, weaving his way into and out of a series of influential Irish musical aggregations, and then disappearing into the night. As the piper with the Bothy Band, he helped redefine Celtic music with his insatiable rhythmic drive and barely-contained piping. Since then, he's focused his playing considerably without losing his daring edge -- and this disk is a perfect example. Tommy O'Sullivan is a great rhythm guitarist and a fine vocalist, and his contributions help make this one of the most accessable and warm Celtic disks in ages. Keenan plays whistles almost as much as he plays pipes, and he's fine, expressive player on them as well. They tackle some straight-up jigs and reels (especially firey on the bonus live tracks), but also display newfound tenderness on some very sobering slow tunes. Whether you're into Irish folk music, pop, or more contemporary singer/songwriter stuff, you're collection isn't complete without this album...

Paddy Keenan is the best in the world of Irish Uilleann piping. With a long track record stemming from the legendary Bothy Band, comes the album crediting it's rightful name, 'The Long Grazing Acre.' Perhaps a reflection of his early traveller days and a life-long journey has put a milestone on the mission of what the real stuff is. For someone who has over 30 years of a performance record you can't pass this one up. He seems pretty born and destined to playing the technically difficult instrument, and has influenced many followers to play the Uilleann pipes.

Most of the music maintain the pure essence of real music than that imitating the new age platonic metaphors that's trying to be real music. Keenan's pipe playing is absolutely dazzling and hauntingly eloquent. His accompanied by Tommy O'Sullivan on guitar and vocals. O'Sullivan does a stunning job on the strings and his voice is shockingly dashing. If you want to hear more of Keenan's talent I recommend 'The Bothy Band, LIVE in Concert' from 1976 and 1978 in a reunion that was recorded in London. It was thier final album together so it's a must-own for Bothy Band fans and fanciers of fine Irish music. And, 'The Long Grazing Acre' is another must for fanciers and Uilleann lovers to add to your collection.

This is such a beautiful album! I've listened to a lot of Irish music and I must say that Paddy Keenan's pipes are the most unique I've ever heard. His father and grandfather are renowned uilleann pipers, but Paddy takes the art to a new level. His love of the blues and rock (see the Bothy Band albums) have had a strong influence on his work and the result is contemporary Irish music at its best! If you're an Irish music enthusiast, you won't be disappointed in this album! Play on Paddy! Play on!

Paddy Keenan is almost a mythical figure -- born into a travelling (gypsy) family, weaving his way into and out of a series of influential Irish musical aggregations, and then disappearing into the night. As the piper with the Bothy Band, he helped redefine Celtic music with his insatiable rhythmic drive and barely-contained piping. Since then, he's focused his playing considerably without losing his daring edge -- and this disk is a perfect example. Tommy O'Sullivan is a great rhythm guitarist and a fine vocalist, and his contributions help make this one of the most accessable and warm Celtic disks in ages. Keenan plays whistles almost as much as he plays pipes, and he's fine, expressive player on them as well. They tackle some straight-up jigs and reels (especially firey on the bonus live tracks), but also display newfound tenderness on some very sobering slow tunes. Whether you're into Irish folk music, pop, or more contemporary singer/songwriter stuff, you're collection isn't complete without this album...

Words fail me - I simply cannot describe how unbelievably great this album is. If Uileann piping interests you at all, buy this CD, because it's the best. Only Davy Spillane has come close, but where Spillane uses Uileann pipes to explore different kinds of music, Keenan uses one kind of music (Irish) to explore the range of his instrument.

Keenan's playing on this album has a powerfully emotional feel; there's nothing academic or technical about his sound. Uileann pipes are notoriously difficult to play, and it's a rare piper who masters the instrument so thoroughly that he can use it to express thought and feeling without effort. Keenan reached that level of mastery 30 years ago or more, when he and the Bothy Band rocked the world with a new kind of sound: traditional Irish music with the power and energy of rock'n'roll. This abum shows him returned to the height of his powers.

I purchased this CD on a whim while visiting a small shop in Cambria. That was a few years ago and I still find myself reaching for it whenever I am in the mood for some lively pipes.