Kila - EFMF 2011

Kila - EFMF 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Kila is a band that has been making waves in Ireland for years with its mix of traditional Irish music with world fusion. Featured on the Saturday afternoon main stage at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, I did not know what to expect as the band was completely new to me, and to others with whom I spoke.

From the hypnotizing beat of the bodhran to the melodies of the pipes, Kila performed a very unique set. There was a lot of energy in the music. All of these guys are accomplished musicians in their own rights, as well as several of the being published authors and poets.

I have a strong feeling that it is in their live performances where Kila really shines. They are very visual and the music lends itself very well to a festival atmosphere. ~Paula E. Kirman

CD Review: Orla Fallon's 'My Land'

Orla Fallon

My Land

Elevation Group

With the approach of St. Patrick's Day, all things tend to point to the luck of the Irish and everything green. However, Ireland's Orla Fallon should be a part of your Irish celebration this year, as she releases a new album, My Land, in close conjunction with a 50-city tour and PBS program in most markets. Orla still plays the harp and sings on the new album, but she is joined by a larger gospel group on "Down To The River To Pray" and special guests on two live tracks with The Dubliners on "Spanish Lady" and "I'll Tell Me Ma" with Damien Dempsey. Two songs with slightly different renditions, "Distant Shore" and "My Land," are also included on her 2009 release, Distant Shore. Still, Orla's voice is as sweet and pleasant as ever on "Mo Ghile Mear," "Ni Na La," and "Both Sides Now." A mix of English and Irish lyrics provide a sense normalcy amidst a sea of diasporic displacement from the Irish land. Followers of Celtic Woman will clamor to pick up My Land. Green is the new gold! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Delhi 2 Dublin 'Planet Electric'

Delhi 2 Dublin

Planet Electric

Self-Release

The third release from the Canadian Delhi 2 Dublin, Planet Electric, continues to explore and expand the sounds of Western Europe with the sounds of South Asia for a globetrotting journey unlike any other. The Indian and Irish beats of "The Answer" is anthem of pure splendor. The modern reggae-type electronic club beats and fast vocals of "Raise It Up" make it a dance club hit. The scattered house beats of "Tommy" and "Cabin Fever" are sure to awaken the dance energy in every living soul. The most enjoyable track is appropriately titled "The Happy Track". A splendid Celtic/Indian-inspired tune with bright vocals matching the beat with ease make it shine like the sun rising in Calcutta or in Limerick. The quieter "Bodega Ridge Part 1 & 2" is an instrumental and dub-centered set of tracks that are more pensive than foreboding. All in all, it is amazing to hear the Celtic and Indian sounds on one album from a group nowhere near both regions. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Heidi Talbot's 'The Last Star'

Heidi Talbot

The Last Star

Compass Records

The Irish singer/guitarist, Heidi Talbot, continues to create inspiration, sweet, and tender folk songs with all the charm and charisma Ireland has to offer. The folksy instrumentation of accordion, ukulele, piano, percussion, guitar, bass, whistles, uileann pipes, harmonium, and fiddle provides an engaging listening experience. As a songwriter, Heidi composes and arranges songs with her husband, John McClusker. However, "Start It All Over Again" and "The Shepherd Lad" were attributed to Scotland's Karine Polwart. Additionally, the late-Sandy Denny is covered on "At The End of The Day". Heidi's English vocals possess the sound and sincerity of America's folk singer/guitarist, Shawn Colvin. If anything, The Last Star represents a strong release that does not outshine prior releases, but that does not make it bad. In fact, Heidi's latest release is slightly more folk than rock or pop. Liner notes include English lyrics. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Catriona McKay & Chris Stout

Catriona McKay & Chris Stout

White Nights

McKay Stout Music

Catriona McKay, a Scottish harpist, and Chris Stout, a Shetland fiddler, explore the world of music using only strings. The longing sounds of "Missing You" accentuate the fiddle's somber side, while the harp sounds offer hope and happiness. The giddy title track, "White Nights", is a folkish jaunt of creative pleasure for the mind and body. The sparkling "Eira" is a Welsh waltz for the celebration of friendship. Notably, the addition of vocalizations or other musical instruments are nonexistent on White Nights. The calming "A Home Under Every Tree" was written as a peaceful, hymn-style tune for a Norwegian silent film. On "Roddy Sinclair", Chris plays with much enthusiasm. With a running time over forty-five minutes in length, White Nights is loaded with enough care, charm, and charisma to please any fan of the harp or fiddle, as well as folk, Celtic, Scottish, Welsh, and Canadian music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Rising Gael's Irish Music

Rising Gael

One More Day

Paradyme Productions

For a group that has members at schools in Texas, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, Rising Gael's tunes on One More Day showcases what magic happens when stars collide in the recording studio. They are a folk-Celtic group made up of lead vocalist/flutist/tin whistler, Erin Ellison and her compatriots, Peter Tissot (guitar, percussion, keyboards, bass, banjo), Katie Dionne (fiddle, step dancing), and Jeff Olson (bodhran, bagpipes, harmonica and percussion). The group is not particularly traditional in the typical sense, as it is New Celtic music based on traditional tunes. A hint of Leahy, Corrs, and April Verch are found throughout the tracks. Sweet lyrics, groovy interludes, and Gaelic/Celtic nostalgia is a foundational element of Rising Gael. If you are looking for great music for studying, coffee shop talk, or the festival scene, Rising Gael definitely rises high. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Young Dubliners - Saints and Sinners

Young Dubliners
Saints and Sinners
Savoy Jazz

This latest offering from American Irish-punk-folk band Young Dubliners will not disappoint. The music is energetic and full of both contemporary and traditional Irish influences. Manyof the songs are mid-tempo and a bit more restrained than on the band's previous album With All Due Respect. Still, Young Dubliners manage to maintain the momentum throughout these songs about love, loss, workers, and life in general. Fans of Waterboys, The Pogues, and early U2 should give Young Dubliners a listen.
~ Paula E. Kirman