Customer Reviews

Street Life

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I haven't heard of all Patrick Street's albums, but I've heard enough, and I've seen the band in concert a couple of times. So I know its music reasonably well, sufficient perhaps to judge Street Life among its finest studio outings, possibly its best. At the peak of its powers, Patrick Street offers up a pleasing balance of richly imagined instrumentals and well-chosen songs. On some of the tunes, horns -- employed with commendable restraint and exquisite taste -- augment the standard strings-and-accordion sound with which Patrick Street has so distinguished itself over its history.

Everything sounds good, but to my ear the particular standouts include, for one, band veteran Andy Irvine's ambitious attempt to fashion a traditional-sounding Southern-mountain song. "Down in Matewan" is perhaps inspired in part by the John Sayles film about the bloody labor wars waged in the West Virginia coal mines in the early decades of the last century. There are also splendid readings, again with Irvine's willowy vocals, of traditional gems "Barna Hill" and "Green Grows the Laurel." Ged Foley sings the bittersweet reflection that is "The Diamantina Drover," written by Australian folk singer Hugh MacDonald. Foley first recorded it years ago with the House Band, and it's always been a favorite of mine. The tag line -- "I won't be back when the droving's done" -- is so weighted with existential resignation that it'll just about stop your heart.

Patrick Street are the work of four musicians Kevin Burke, Andy Irvine, Jackie Daly and Ged Foley. Their latest accomplishment is 'Street Life' is made up of five songs and five instrumentals. The sounds are quite diverse taken from their Irish roots and branches out into new Celtic music. This album alone is the kind that dynamic and exciting that gives you the feel you're at a real LIVE open session on the streets of Dublin. Their performances are that mesmerizing you'll keep coming back. With the talent of the legendary Andy Irvine it's a must to own this CD.

This album was recorded in studios in Ohio, Ireland, New York and Oregon. Other musicians to accompany Patrick Street are Steve Cooney playing fiddle on the set of traditonal reels. American Bruce Molsky on the Old Time fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals, and Cal Scott on the brass. My favorites 'West Coast of Clare' and 'Down in Matewan' (revival of the mine wars in Matewan, West Virginia by Andy Irvine and Bruce Molsky) bring back memories of the places I've been. If you like to hear some of the best of this band, try their 'Compendium: The Best of Patrick Street' that extends over the past 15 years of their music career. And if you want to see them LIVE, greenlinnet.com has a complete itinerary of their tour highlights for 2003.

Another rock-solid Celtic trad album by this Irish supergroup, featuring singer/multi-instrumentalist Andy Irvine, fiddler Kevin Burke, accordionist Jackie Daly, and guitarist Ged Foley. Plenty of fine, melodically pleasing instrumental reels and jigs, as well as several sweet vocal tunes. American old-timey music revivalist Bruce Molsky guests on "Down In Matewan," Irvine's tribute to the Depression-era American miner's union movement, recalling the martyrs of the Ludlow massacre, and the widespread animosity towards the reviled Pinkerton detective agency. This album is another gem, and a welcome indication that all involved plan to keep Patrick Street a haven for untainted traditional Celtic music. Recommended!