SLIGO RAGS: The Night Before the Morning After

Sligo Rags

The Night Before the Morning After

© 2005 Sligo Rags (634479597190)

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A masterfully crafted collection of Celtic tunes--featuring acoustic instrumental virtuosity and lush vocal harmonies-- that blends Celtic, folk, and bluegrass textures into a highly rewarding listening experience.

notes

CD Review: Sligo Rags,: The Night Before the Morning After.

Some of the finest Irish music is being performed by emigrants and American-born or based Irish-Americans. Apparent case in point: Orange County, California's Sligo rags, a trio with a repertoire that expertly crosses Irish vocal and instrumental music in twinkling fashion, leads traded off between the leader, Michael Kelly (fiddle and vocals), and multi-instrumentalist David Burns (guitar, banjo, mandolin, vocals), with Gordon Rustvold's solid bass guitar providing spot-on rhythm throughout.

I say "apparent," because the vocals of both Michael Kelly and David Burns sound like pure Irish, but I'm told that in point of fact none of the band is from Ireland at all, tho there is Mother Ireland in the background of two members (not Gordon Rustvold, whose name does provide a bit of a giveaway - but he doesn't sing on the CD). However, in song after song, rich regional - if adopted for the occasion - accents ring clear throughout this very appealing CD, from the opening uptempo version of "From Clare to Here - it still manages to retain the wistfulness of this lovely song - to the jaunty closer, "Red is the Rose."

Favorites here: The "Jackie Tar/Harvest Home/Banish Misfortune" medley (cut 3); the machine-gun delivery of "Little Beggarman," which opens cut 6; "Arthur McBride," cut 8 - sounding very close to Paul Brady's setting of the song; and the near-swaggering "Minstrel Boy," cut 14, with its emphasis more on the defiance of the bold young harper rather than his untimely death, an interesting re-emphasis. But the music is of high quality throughout, and the CD comes with the fullest recommendation for purchase and repeat listening.

(John McLaughlin, April 4, 2005)

An Introduction to Sligo Rags' new CD

We've all seen a movie, or heard a CD that had been so over-hyped that it could never have lived up to the overstatement. Reviewers continually overuse superlatives until they lose their meaning, altogether. If the writer had simply left well enough alone, you might have actually enjoyed the artist's offering. I hope not to commit this sin with the latest CD from Sligo Rags, "The Night Before the Morning After," while giving you a glimpse of what is bound to be a satisfying experience.
At first listen, one hears the true sounds of acoustic instruments, save for electric bass, expertly recorded by Martin Beal. The CD has a definite traditional flavor, but also offers some more contemporary titles, and fans of both worlds will be pleased with the songs from the other's genre. The arrangements are interestingly different, and yet sensible. Musical choices are made in favor of artistry, not gimmick or happenstance - sometimes unexpected, but not unwelcome. And the intros, the intros are lush, woven as expertly as an Aran sweater.
Immediately evident is the wonderful interplay of Dave Burns (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals), and Michael Kelly (fiddle, vocals); although, each player holds his own while soloing. Burns is accomplished on all of the instruments he plays, comfortable with fingerstyle or the pick. His guitar work, my favorite, is clean, blending Irish greens with blues, jazz, and bluegrass. Michael Kelly's fiddle intonation is impeccable, and his tone sweet - no listener's fatigue here. Both Burns and Kelly are able vocalists, choosing songs suited to their respective voices - Burns' the deeper of the two, Kelly approaching an Irish tenor. Gordon Rustvold, anchoring the trio with his steady, crisp style of playing, does electric bass work. While not bombastic, you would notice if he were not there, or if he were too there.
The Star of the County Down will have you going for the repeat button. Go ahead, once, but don't fail to go on to the other tracks. The Foggy Dew, Little Beggarman, and John Riley are standout selections of mine. You will have your own. Enjoy.

Rob Williams
The Fenians

reviews

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  • Fantastic!
    author: Karen

    This guys are the greatest! If you have any Irish blood in you, you will be thrilled with their music! If you aren't Irish, you'll pretend you are!

  • This is REAL MUSIC !
    author: George V

    This CD is a wonderful collection of Irish tunes that will stir the heart of any Irishman or Irish wannabe. It does not get any better than this!

  • Deceptively British
    author: Kate Karp

    There was absolutely no way that the Celtic band Sligo Rags could outdo their maiden CD "Farewell to Your Dirty Lies," but they were able to show that they can reach an acme at least twice with their latest collection. "The Night Before the Morning After" is another outstanding assortment of sea chanteys, demon lover ballads and songs of Victorian urban distress, played and sung in a convincingly authentic British-Irish fashion by a surprisingly American bunch of musicians. Outstanding numbers on the CD include (but are certainly not limited to) "From Clare to Here," Ralph McTell's mournful ballad of a prodigal son; the tear-jerking "Ordinary Man"; the familiar doomed-ship siren song "The Mermaid,"; and the bawdy "The Jolly Beggar," which is a kick in the boot to the ballads that give women to believe that any slob is really a prince in disguise. Gordon Rustvold on bass guitar, Michael Kelly on fiddle and vocals, and David Burns who also sings and plays every other stringed instrument are as masterful at their craft and alive as ever.

  • What the....?
    author: Paddy Whack

    Wish I could play like that!! This is for real folks.

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