You may already know Colcannon from our six previous recordings of original and traditional Irish music. This time, it’s something quite different. We have recorded two stories and set them to music. Both are based -- very loosely -- on old Irish folktales; they’re written in verse and come with plenty of music. The first story, ‘The Pooka and the Fiddler’, was written for a family concert at the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival in 2004; the second story, ‘Happy as Larry’ was written because -- well, it’s hard to stop. While the stories were written with kids in mind they have proven popular with an older crowd as well. ‘The Pooka and the Fiddler’ is the story of young Seán --’ a fiddler of the feeble kind’, his encounter with the Pooka ( a 9-foot tall goat-creature) and his ensuing adventures. It’s embellished with mostly traditional Irish music: ‘Happy as Larry’ recounts the tale of a troubled king and his search for happiness. It features original compositions by the band and, in places, an instrumentation you might not expect from Colcannon.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"This is a real gem of a CD ..." --Cindy Reich, Celtic Connection, October 2005
"Three cheers to Colcannon for ... reviving a lost art." --Kevin McCarthy
"Highly enjoyable. Folktales are an important part of the folk tradition...it's great that you're continuing the art." --Bruce Cameron,2MCE-FM, Bathurst, Australia
"Three cheers to Colcannon for ... reviving a lost art." --Kevin McCarthy
"Highly enjoyable. Folktales are an important part of the folk tradition...it's great that you're continuing the art." --Bruce Cameron,2MCE-FM, Bathurst, Australia
About the Author
Colcannon has developed a distinctive, inventive, and contemporary musical style while still keeping in firm touch with the heart and essence of traditional Irish music. Colcannon’s concerts are renowned for their energy, for singer/frontman Mick Bolger’s irrepressible sense of humor and sly wit, and, of course, for the music; music that expresses flights of joy, deep sorrows, and an unquenchable zest for life. The band formed in 1984 in Boulder Colorado, USA, and their reputation has grown steadily over the years with the release of seven fine CDs on the Oxford Road Records label. The group's first three albums were produced by bluegrass/folk legend Tim O'Brien. The Emmy®-award winning PBS special, "Colcannon in Concert," filmed at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in 1993, has aired nationwide. Colcannon has also been part of many collaborative projects- they were featured on John McEuen's soundtrack for the television mini-series "The Wild West", as well as on the Western Heritage Award winning album of the same name and The Nashville Network Television special "The Music of the Wild West". Recently, the group has provided music for an audio project "Secrets of the World- The Good People" featuring Irish master storyteller and folklorist Eddie Lenihan. Other projects include the development of 'Lusanna' a work for Colcannon and chamber orchestra, written by Colcannon bassist Mike Fitzmaurice, with text and lyrics in Irish and English by vocalist Mick Bolger. 'Lusanna' premiered in the fall of 2002. Earlier collaborations with orchestra featured Fitzmaurice's 'The Red Kite', a three movement concerto for Colcannon and orchestra, as well as symphonic arrangements of some of Colcannon's original compositions. Colcannon’s appeal crosses lines of age, gender and ethnic background; For while the musical focus is on the beautiful wealth of traditional Irish music- all acoustic instrumentation, traditional as well as original tunes and songs, with some of the songs in Mick’s native Irish language- Colcannon’s true message is the story of the resilient and joyous human spirit.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
McZen's Pooka review,
By
This review is from: The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry: Two Stories by Colcannon (Audio CD)
To Whom It May . . .
I have all the Colcannon CDs, go to every concert I can, and greatly admire their impeccable interpretations of Irish music. I was fortunate in being able to go to one of the first performances of "The Pooka and the Fiddler" and "Happy as Larry." Large surprises-- not quite traditional and surely not the usual Irish instruments. Nonetheless, once again I found myself at a Colcannon concert with tears on my face from the sheer beauty of their music and the emotionally moving messages it sends. On one level, these musical stories are happy, entertaining childrens' tales. On a deeper level, they are profound statements about life and its pitfalls. Mick Bolger is emerging as not just another pretty face, but a very perceptive observer of the human condition and a gifted writer who transmits those observations faultlessly, skillfully, and gracefully. I have two great neighbors, boys who are six and four, and I have given them "The Pooka and the Fiddler" and "Happy as Larry." How lucky they are to grow up with these wonderful tales! Alan Czenkusch
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Colcannon CD yet,
By John C. Nielson (Distal Thropplethwaite Paramount Heights Wheat Ridge, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry: Two Stories by Colcannon (Audio CD)
Living in Colorado, I have followed Colcannon since their inception many years ago. The line-up of the band has changed remarkably little through the years, and from the very start they had their own unique take on Irish music with a solid, easily identifiable sound. Not limited to just a bunch of rehashed jigs, reels and come-all-ye's, Colcannon has forged the way with a skillful mix of traditional and original compositions, served up with daring but always appropriate and very tasteful arrangements.
I've genuinely enjoyed all their albums and felt they have captured much of the spirit of Colcannon's live performances, so I was a bit skeptical to hear what their new album would be like, mixing spoken word and music. Not that I am one of those Irish music fans who is interested in the music only, not caring a whit for other aspects of the culture. Not that I am a purist lost in the "Celtic Mists of Time." I devour Irish poetry, literature, history, cinema, folklore and music old and new. It is just that I have heard too many overwrought poets and cutesy pandering children's performers in my time. How would Mick and company make it work? They did make it work, by being themselves. Lots of skill - musical and verbal - combined with passion and lots of energy, has produced their best CD yet. Kids will love it, but I've yet to meet an adult who doesn't also love it. So many albums with spoken word segments soon get forgotten after several listenings. This CD "wears well" and holds up to lots of listening. Great writing and great performing make for their best CD yet.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pooka Review,
This review is from: The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry: Two Stories by Colcannon (Audio CD)
Colcannon has forged into a new dimension with their latest release, Pooka...and Happy as Larry.
The two delightful folktales, penned by Mick bolger, are captivating children's stories that relay an important adult message as well. The warmth of Bolger's gentle brogue draws the listener into the adventure as his voice moves flawlessly from narrator to Pooka or Sean or Larry and back again. The musical score draws from both traditional music and melodies composed by individual Colcannon members. The tunes pace the tales beautifully, and the use of interpretive instrumentation is perfect. This CD is destined to make its way into the "best loved" category, and hopefully to stage or screen. Jerry Barlow Celtic Fingerstyle Guitarist Golden, CO
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