SYNCOPATHS: Rough Around The Edges

Syncopaths

Rough Around The Edges

© 2005 Syncopaths (724101932229)

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Fusing Celtic tunes and songs with jazz, rock, even calypso, The Syncopaths have created a vibrant, new West Coast Celtic sound. Recorded LIVE at three contra dances in Southern California.

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Fusing celtic tunes with jazz, rock, even calypso, The Syncopaths have created a vibrant, new West Coast Celtic sound. The Irish Herald says with The Syncopaths, “the possibilities are endless, such is the skill of the players.”

Brought together by bluegrass fiddler extraordinaire Richard Greene, The Syncopaths feature Ryan McKasson on fiddle, Jeff Spero on keyboard, Christa Burch on bodhran and vocals, and Bill Flores on mandolin and banjo. Ryan, the 1996 U.S. National Scottish fiddle champion, is both a noted classical musician and in high demand with his other band, The McKassons. Christa is a noted southern California celtic drummer and singer who has frequently peformed with Alasdair Fraser and the San Francisco Scottish fiddlers. Well known as one of the west coast’s premiere contradance pianists, Jeff's energetic, creative style at the keyboard provides the driving power in the Syncopaths’ engine. Bill, who plays everything from dobro to saxophone in addition to mandolin and banjo, has performed or recorded with notable artists such as Bob Dylan and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Recorded live at contradances in Los Angeles, Brentwood, and Pasadena, California, "Rough Around The Edges" explodes with excitement! FolkWorks writes "Rough Around The Edges," “delivers a rich, full sound that demands you get up and tap your feet." Looking for a fresh take on Celtic music? The Syncopaths' "Rough Around The Edges" offers it up... and more!

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  • Lots of Fun!
    author: Terah Tucker

    If you want Celtic music with a kick, you'll want to buy Rough Around the Edges by The Syncopaths. They are an incredibly talented band and their arrangements of the traditional Irish melodies are almost as much fun as the band itself! Be expecting to catch yourself toe-tapping as you listen...

  • author: reelmusic review

    we love Jerry Holland and also Brenda Stubbert you guys have created ELEVATOR music out of them

  • Excellent!
    author: OSUEANA

    This cd will quickly become the #1 in your car, home or office. I listen when I want to be happy, cheerful and energized. It never fails to pick me up and get my toes tapping. PURCHASE THIS CD - you won't be sorry!

  • Irish-Herald raves about The Syncopaths' "Rough Around The Edges!"
    author: Irish-Herald

    The title is an apology that need not be given, for though this is a “warts and all” live recording of one of Southern California’s premier contra dance bands, such is the spirit of the band that even the mistakes are engaging. If a live audio recording of a band playing for dancers doesn’t sound like a must-hear, then it should be said that the Syncopaths are hardly your usual dance band. Pianist (and producer) Jeff Spero takes the chord patterns into some hitherto fore unchartered territory, and melody players Ryan McKasson (fiddle) and Bill Flores (mandolin, banjo and guitar) hold down the fort admirably but are elastic enough to take off alongside. The bodhrán playing of Christa Burch anchors it all too, so it never stops being danceable, even when the solos get into some strange, at times almost psychedelic explorations, such as the delicate piano/banjo/fiddle interplay that colors the second tune set, or the jazzy piano riffs that infuse the jig set that follows it. On the whole they do a remarkable job of simultaneously keeping the pulse for the dancers while still being an excellent, and never boring, “jam band.” My only complaint is that Burch, one of the very finest singers on the LA scene, sings only one song, and it’s a fairly standard version of the fairly standard “Wild Mountain Thyme.” It’s a minor quibble, since songs are not a dance band’s main domain, but I’d love to hear a concert or a studio album by these guys. Once non-dance music is thrown in the mix as well, the possibilities are endless—such is the skill of the players. —Dave Soyars

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