SHILELAGH LAW: ...Half the Bottle Down

Shilelagh Law

...Half the Bottle Down

© 2001 Shilelagh Law (612505193127)

CD OUT OF STOCK for re-production. Expect long delays.

If you want us to email you the minute this CD arrives, enter your name and email address here. We will not give or sell your info to anyone, and will not use it for any other reason than to tell you when it arrives.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Think Clancy Brothers on speed. Traditional and original Irish songs and tunes performed with reckless abandon; just try listening without downing a pint.

tracks

1 Mountain Dew
2 Come Out ye Black and Tans
3 Fiddles and Tin Whistles
4 Big Strong Man
5 I Would've Called Him Granda
6 Sally Gardens/Joe Cooley's
7 Muirsheen Durkin/Whiskey in the Jar
8 Queen of New York
9 Castle Jig/Galway Shawl
10 Men Behind the Wire
11 Carrickfergus
12 Half the Bottle Down
13 I'll Tell Me Ma
14 Until They Lay Me Down

notes

The year is 1972. Terence Brennan, a disgruntled Vietnam Vet, has been wandering the world since being discharged with a Section 8. He travels with just a walking stick, a small backpack, and his collection of Dusty Springfield 8-tracks. He eventually ends up in a small village on the west coast of Ireland, working on a fishing boat by day and learning to play the bodhran by night. It is a good, honest living, but he feels there is more, and he heads back home to America.

While hiking in the Adirondacks one day, he comes across a strange man deep in the wilderness, with wild hair and poor hygiene. He tries to give the man a wide berth, but the fellow jumps in front of him and points to the bodhran strapped to his back.

"With that, you will achieve greatness," he says mysteriously.

"Who are you?" Terence asks.

"I am Richard Popovic, and together we will create the finest Irish music that this world has ever seen!"

"But aren't you Polish?"

"Never mind that," Richard says. "We must go and find the third link in the chain."

"Where is that?"

"St. Louis, Missouri."

So Richard and Terence hopped into Terence's mustard-yellow El-Camino and made their way to St. Louis, until they came to the mecca of American intoxication, the Anheiseur-Busch brewery. Deep in the bowels of the plant did they descend, level after level, making their way between huge vats of frothy brew. On the deepest level, as they neared the furthest corner, they could hear a deep, rough voice singing "Drunken Sailor" over and over and over. They approached cautiously.

"Steve, we have come. It is time for you to fulfill your destiny."

"Wha?" Steve slurred. "Whoeryou?"

"We are but two pieces of the puzzle, Steve. You are the third. You must come with us."

"Will there be beer there?"

"Yes, all you can drink."

"OK, let's go."

The three lads set out and played many gigs, but nothing seemed right. Though they penned such memorable tunes as the "Three's Company" theme song and worked for awhile playing the soundtrack music for "Starsky and Hutch," it seemed there had to be more. They kept toiling, playing show after show and searching for the greatness they knew they could attain. Then, one day, on a small home-made raft that somehow made it all the way across the Atlantic, from Ireland to New York, Denis McCarthy arrived. Shivering and soaking wet, he clutched his fiddle in one hand and an unlit pipe in the other. Terence, Richard and Steve tracked him down to the Burger King on 242nd street, where he was busy assembling Whoppers.

"Denis, you are the fourth and final piece of the puzzle."

"What the hell are you talking about?" he growled, brandishing a tub of special sauce menacingly.

"Look, do you want to play tunes, drink beer and meet chicks? Do you want to re-define Irish music? Do you want to be part of a groundbreaking musical experiment that knows no boundries and crosses all borders? What we want to know is--do you want to make music history?"

Denis paused. "Did you say something about beer?"

There you have it folks. Shilelagh Law has been playing jigs, reels, and tunes ever since, taking New York by storm and emptying pint glasses with abandon. No song is too stupid! No keg is too full! No talent is apparent! Shileagh Law--the legend continues.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Awesome!
    author: Crystal Murphy

    I love them. My family loves them. Its so entertaining and great for long road trips in the car with the grandmother from Sligo:)

  • I loved the sound! Clancy Bros. with a twist! New favorite CD
    author: Tracy

    I love classic Irish music. Half the bottle down is the first CD from a new group I've ever bought. I love the twist they add to some of the classic songs. Great arrangements. They need to visit California in the near future.

  • Awesome!
    author: Andrew

    Awesome CD...I never heard of these guys and I figured I'd buy their CD last year and now I'm hooked and cant stop listening, and of course I had to buy all of there CD's. Cant wait to see them live in NYC...Keep up the good work

  • Awesome tunes
    author: Gerald Houck

    I really loved this CD. The selection of songs was quite varied and stirred the emotions at both ends of the spectrum. Fantastic guys!! Keep it up!

  • author: erin

    Great Cd Christmas in New York is by far one of the best 911 songs I have heard!! I also love the way that you redo all the old Irish songs that I grew up on!!

  • Did somebody mention beer?
    author: Dennis Flavin

    Now, you know, I've never heard these fellas; but based on what I've just read of their wordly travels in seeking self discovery, so to speak, leading in turn to putting their band together, I have to say that if their music is anywhere near as entertaining as the flights of fancy engendered by the aforementioned little bit of fiction (exagerated truth), then I suspect that by the end of the CD you'll be wanting to pull off your pants so to dance on the top of a bar room stool swinging free, unemcumbered by the sartorial restraints of an unforgiving and uptight society. Jig on me boys! Jig on!

  • Kick ass lads!!
    author: Elizabeth Kain

    As soon as I heard Shilelagh Law I went on the hunt for their cds. I absolutly love Half the Bottle Down. I always play it before I go out. I pumps me up and gets me ready for an night filled with drinking and fun!!!!

  • Best Band Ever
    author: Pat

    This along w/ "Together in the end" and "Good Intentions" are the best musical investment you can make you will not stop listening to the cd's just keep cycling through them, they flat out rock.

  • author: Mary Catherine

    This is my favorite of the 3! Love their versions of Come Out Ye B&T, Sally Gardens/Joe Cooly's and especially the Castle Jig/Galway Shawl!! 1/2 the Bottle Down is a great drinking tune! Fun!

  • Hell yeah
    author: Sean

    I saw these guys on Paddy's Day at Connolly's in NYC. They played like 9 straight hours and I don't think they repeated 1 song. Plus they outdrank everyone in the place except for the naked guy up front. Shilelagh Law is the real deal.

  • Nothing better than the Original
    author: Tracy

    While TOGETHER IN THE END & GOOD INTENTIONS are two kick ass albums from one of the finest Irish bands to ever come out of the NYC area this 1st album HALF THE BOTTLE DOWN truly captures what the band is like at a live show. It's raw, unadulterated, pure fun. "Black & Tans" makes ya wanna kick someone's ass. The best version of "Big Strong Man" ever recorded is on this album and to appreciate how this band has evolved from their humble beginnings you must get this cd.

  • We heard there's a brand new cd coming out
    author: Rolling Scone Magazine

    If you think the lads 1st two cd's are amazing wait till you here their latest album "Good Intentions". I just finished listening to it and I still can't figure out how they keep getting better and better. This cd captures every emotion you can find in a pint glass. Good luck boys...you have truly arrived.

  • Doesn't get much better
    author: McVeigh

    From Pearl River to Manhattan I've seen them and loved it live. Even my college buddies down at Iona can't turn it off. Turn the CD on and pick up a pint!!!

  • 6 year old likes it

    this is Nina's favorite band. (she is 6 years old.) of the two cds by this band that are out so far, this is Nina's favorite.

  • Great Live and great CD.
    author: Andrew

    Ive seen them in concert and its worth the trip. CD is good but live is better.

  • Great CD
    author: Erica

    This CD is awsome, very diverse, great sound, and not to mention fun to play anywhere, in the car, at a party, while doing homework... just all around a great CD

  • Great CD
    author: Cathy

    This CD is just what I wanted. It is the first CD that I have purchased by this group and from this website. I was so pleased that I ordered another CD made by this group, "Together Again". I can't wait until it comes. Keep up the good work!

  • it's about time!
    author: brid

    I got this disk because of word of mouth on the band. I liked it so much I bought their other...and am having fun turning everyone on to the music here. It's enough to make me leave the mountains and head back to the Bronx - but if Shilelagh Law heads North on the thruway, there'll be plenty of Irish and amatuers alike to come out!!

  • These Guys ROCK!
    author: McHendershot

    Outside of St. Patricks Day, I was never really interested in Irish music . . . until now! This CD kicks major monkey ass! Everyone that hears it, wants to borrow it. It makes me wish I was Irish.

  • author: Trish

    Shilelagh Law puts their own spin on traditional irish tunes we all grew up listening to on WFUV...I'll tell me ma and everyone else this CD is one of the best, you won't be able to put it down once you start (so you may want to purchase an additional copy just in case you wear down the first!)

  • BUY BUY BUY
    author: Tom

    From top to bottom a cd with songs that just about anyone can relate to. Its true that great music can be found outside of all of the screaming top 40 stations out there.

  • It's pure Shilelagh Madness
    author: Rolling Scone Magazine

    It's been written in the Book of Revelation that the Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse would return and bring forth mayhem and madness. Let it be known now that these four "Masters of Disaster" come in the form of the band SHILELAGH LAW. My Lord, never before has Traditional Irish music been played with such reckless abandon. It must be the Devil himself that has inspired such debauchery. Save the women and children and hide the liquor because nothing is going to stop this fearsome foursome from unleashing SHILELAGH LAW unto the world. Repent now and have a drink for the End is here and it's sounds Damn good!.......ALL HAIL SHILELAGH LAW!

  • Can't Touch This!
    author: Cutie Mcpretty

    People ask me all the time, "Cutie, can I borrow your Shilelagh Law album?" and I say, "Nooo, my brother, you've got to buy your own."

  • yar! tis grand!
    author: Sweetness Mcsweets

    Just for the sake of disagreeing with DJ Robadaba and his obvious drinking problem, I confer that track 3, "Fiddles & Tin Whistles" and track 11, "Carrickfergus" are the highlights of Shilelagh Law's now famous CD "Half the Bottle Down" and the biggest disappointment being the lack of naked photos of the band members inside. Some songs they should include on CD #2 are Down Under and that song about Christmas and the boys of the NYPD which I don't know the name of. I will concede that Drunken Sailor should also be in the mix and the shouting of "Shilelagh law! Shilelagh law!" whilst raising high the roof beams. That part always brings a tear to my eye.

  • The greatest live band ever
    author: Dj Robadaba

    These guys are the greatest live band ever! As a testament of my undying love for their music, I've bought the CD 3 times...twice in one night (that may be more a testament to my drinking, but hey). Highlights of the album - Queen of New York and Half the Bottle Down. Biggest disappointment - no Drunken Sailor / Jump Around medley (the highlight of all their shows). Still, the best CD of the year - bar none.

  • I like it
    author: Gerard Von Mittens

    I gave this five stars because it is good. I like it a lot. If I made a cd I would like it to be just like this one. They are my favorite band. I like them a lot. If I got this for Christmas I would be very happy except that I already have it so actually I would be kinda pissed but it would make a good present. It is good music. They play many instrumentses.

  • Holy Alcoholic Bands Batman!
    author: Ms. Chanandlar Bonk

    Shilelagh Law = Raging Alcoholics? A burning question. Let me submit the evidence: Exhibit A - The CD cover depicting Lady Liberty in the act of getting sloshed (and looking quite pleased with herself I might add); Exhibit B - The Lyrics: "I'm drunk right now and I'm seldom sober"; Exhibit C: The Website: where you will see the band fighting over a pint of Guinness, surrounded by a plethora of empty glasses and beer bottles. My point you ask? All great bands of the past were outrageous drunks and Shilelagh Law is doing them proud (oh lighten up, even the Backstreet Boys have an alki for chrissakes!) This is the best CD ever!

  • Holy guacamole.. dis here ting is better than tequila
    author: Larry Jones

    so I've only listened to this drunk - u gotta problem wit dat? I's drunk 27 hours a day, 8 days a week and if that there ain't enough to convince you, you dont like being convinced, shoot!

  • this cd makes me wanna drink... but it's a good thing.
    author: Searra Orion

    this cd makes me wanna drink... and dance... and smile... and move to Ireland... and wiggle.. and drink some more. It's fun!

  • Acoustic Goodness
    author: Harvey Shoebuckles

    A masterpiece! I cannot tell you how much the quality of my life has improved since I treated myself to this little sphere of music. In the past several weeks of listening to this music every day I have been cured me... oh, yes, it is true... it has cured me and I am now proud to say I am no longer on prozac. It's a miracle! My ADD symptons have also subsided, well a little bit anyway. I invoke all music fans to dip your tender feet into the lake of Shilelagh Law so that you too can be witness to miracles!

  • TITILLATING!
    author: Ineida Drinkerson

    ... a triumph...some wonderful songs on here folks. This comes with my highest recommendation as it is pure listening pleasure.

  • That Richard Popovic is one sexy mother
    author: Ima Shilady

    Sure, the music is great, but why hasn't anyone mentioned the best thing about this CD? The sexy picture inside of 4 hunks of burning love? Not to mention the game... it's called "Can you find the typo?" Woo-hoo, it is fun.

  • I wish I could be the next Rich Popovic
    author: Eric Abenaim

    I have loved the music since the first unplugged version I heard in Manchester NH at Dell's house. I don't know what it is but when I listen to the music I feel the urge to drink. I think that is why I am such a fan!!!

  • cool
    author: Mike Connelly

    never heard the cd yet--but the bio was far superior to most of the tripe one reads on these--buy it you pathetic worm

email

Please log in to email this artist.