Customer Reviews

The Roseland Barndance

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SONGS - 1. Sliabh Luachra Polkas (Untitled, Sonny Riordan's, Bill The Weaver's), 2. The Dark Eyed Sailor, 3. The Roseland Barndance, 4. The Girl From The Big House (The Girl from the Big House, The Humours of Ballingarry, Molly Brannigan's), 5. Barbara Allen, 6. Earl Mitten's (Bridgie's Barndance, Earl Mitten's Breakdown), 7. The Humours Of Ballydesmond (The Borlin Polka, The Humours of Ballydesmond, O'Keeffe's), 8. An Raibh Tu Ag An g Carraig, 9. I'd Rather Be Married Than Left (I'd Rather Be Married Than Left, The Gleanntan Frolics, Barrack Hill, The Clare Jig), 10. Go Your Way, 11. Crehan's Reels (Crehan's, Bonny Anne, Dermot Byrne's)

Playing Time - 40:56

With a solid set of dance tunes and songs, North Cregg's fourth album also is a milestone that celebrates their tenth year in the Celtic music business. As most bands with such longevity have experienced personnel changes, a few members (fiddler Caoimhin Vallely, guitarist John Neville, pianist Paul Meehan and vocalist Fiona Kelleher) have come and gone over the years since their seed was first planted in a pub session. The Irish band now consists of Christy Leahy (button box), Liam Flanagan (fiddle, banjo), Ciaran Coughlan (piano), Martin Leahy (guitar, drums) and Claire-Anne Lynch (vocals, fiddle). Martin is Christy's younger brother who originally joined the band about 1998 for a tour to Germany. Flanagan has been with the group since 2004; Lynch since early-2006. Together, they are an inspired and energetic bunch. They owe their moniker to 5-year-member John Neville who once had to quickly respond to a festival organizer when asked for the band's name. He thought of a tune (by uilleann piper Jimmy Morrisson) that was named for a small town in County Cork. Thus, North Cregg found its direction, although many fans now just affectionately refer to them as the Creggies.

On this album, the title cut written by Joe Derrane, recalls some of the Irish dancehall music played by emigrants to the U.S. in the early-1900s. It's a fine showcase for talented accordionist Leahy, while the subsequent track with a medley of jigs particularly demonstrate the fine bow work and pluck of Flanagan. "Barbara Allen" and "The Dark Eyed Sailor" are perfect ballad choices for Lynch's gentle and alluring vocalizing. If there's anything I miss in beautifully poignant contemporary Celtic music like this, it's vocal harmony and perhaps some of the men singing too. A lively piano-centric set with a French Canadian flavor is "Earl Mitten's." Guests Dirk Powell and Seamus Burns add clawhammer banjo and spoons, respectively. Another guest joining the North Cregg on the album is upright bassist Chris McCarthy. That's a wise move as I do like hearing some low end in Celtic music. Besides jigs and reels, some spirited sets of polkas are pure delight to liven up the party. The Gaelic offering at track 8 is dreamy and seductive as it tells the story of a banished young man's desire to see his true love. "Go Your Way" is another hypnotic ballad, this one written by English folk singer Annie Briggs. Claire-Anne's delicate voice is silky, expressive and enticing. I hope that the band might consider adding their songs' lyrics to their website for further analysis.

Recorded in Cork, "The Roseland Barndance" is an admirable addition to the band's musical catalog. During the past decade, North Cregg has carved out their niche and built a reputation for distinctive music with both emotional depth and downhome fervor. Most importantly, their enthralling music exudes polish, stability and maturity. Touring the world, North Cregg brings their soulful stamp on Celtic music to the largest festival stages. Their previous albums include "...And They Danced All Night" (1999), "Mi Da:Za" (2001), and "Summer At My Feet" (2003). (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR. rossjoe at hotmail dot com )