The Immigrant Band is John Doyle, Rafe Stefanini, Clelia Stefanini, John Herrmann, and Eamon O’Leary. Their self-titled debut album (on Yodel-Ay-Hee Records) hit the streets earlier this year to much well-deserved fanfare in both Irish and oldtime music circles. John Doyle is listed as producer and he recorded, edited, and mixed this record; it’s infused with his humor and complexity. Here is a rare ensemble that successfully combines the refinement of modern Irish folk music with the raw, trancy elixir of Appalachian fiddle tunes. And it’s fun to hear American songs with double-bouzouki backing as it was done in the good old days by Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny (only now it’s John Doyle and Eamon O’Leary).
On the American side of the band, Rafe and Clelia Stefanini bring their genetic syncronicity on fiddles, and John Hermann sings and plays banjo–even a groovy gourd banjo at one point. The material ranges widely from old to new, and the arrangements span a wide spectrum as well, for a pleasant variety of gentle ballads and raging tune sets. Check out the sparkly bouzoukis driving the dance of the double fiddles in a few tracks–something you don’t hear very often. Recommended!
LISTEN: Jenny on the Railroad
LISTEN: My Boy Willie
Youtube Video from Thomas Orndorff
“I had the most intense and musically introspective time working with David Bragger’s filming of me at the Tiki Parlour,” said Molsky. “The Old Time Tiki Parlour is on a mission to document old time music in a meaningful and unique way, up close and without filters. It’s a delight to be part of this, along with all these great musicians they have on board!”
The brilliant new record from Irish supergroup Solas must have been a pain to produce. Or at least, a pain to round up the troops. Titled All These Years, the album features ALL former band members as well as the current lineup of Seamus Egan, Winifred Horan, Moira Smiley, Mick McAuley, and Eamon McElholm singing, picking and sawing their way through sixteen tracks that range from modern singer-songwriter stuff to grand old session tunes. Current vocalist Moira Smiley brings a refreshing, authentic tone and a taste for modern melody to what they call their 20th Anniversary Project–a nice balance to the other singers who contributed, all of them former members of Solas.
Last month, Nuala Kennedy released one of the most gorgeous records to cross my desk in years. Her fourth studio album, Behave the Bravest (Under the Arch Records) showcases her angelic voice in both Gaelic and English and as usual, her superlative skills on flute and various whistles. If you follow Nuala at all, you will recognize the names of her supporting musicians, including Eamon O’Leary on guitar and bouzouki, Johnny Connolly (Solas) on button accordion, and Donald Hay on drums and percussion. For a woman who seems to have one foot in Scotland, one in Ireland, and one in the USA, it’s not surprising that this album was recorded over 6 months on three continents, one of which was Australia. What is surprising is the beautifully cohesive sound overall. Nuala’s unflagging sense of balance between raw joy and flawless perfection runs like a pristine river through this collection of ancient songs and modern tunes. Recommended!
