by Brenda Stokes

Artist: The Irish Ceili Band and Singers
Album: The Magic of Ireland
Year Produced: 2002

This collection is massive. "The Magic of Ireland" performed by The Irish Ceili Band and Singers is a three CD set including many Irish classics and traditional songs.

As a lover of traditional music, I greatly enjoy hearing new renditions of old pub songs. This set has some greats, including, "The Irish Rover" and "The Wild Rover." Both of these songs bring be back to times spent at ceilis with rugged but excellent live bands and dancing.

Along with these great pub classics, however, are some renditions of the traditional waltzes. Many of these songs are a big part of American history and culture as well, including "My Wild Irish Rose" and "The Rose of Tralee." I feel transported back to the 50's with these songs, especially due to the variety show sound The Irish Ceili Band and Singers has. My only complaint is when the choral singing jumps in on pub songs. This just doesn't work too well for me, and doesn't come across as authentic.

It can't be forgotten that this set includes the band's version of the theme from "Lord of the Dance," which is done it such way as to sound different than the original, but maintain its unique style.

A few of my favorites from this collection include "Whiskey in the Jar," "The Black Velvet Band," and "Muirsheen Durkin." All three of these stayed true to their traditional stylings and made me want to get up and dance. I love songs that transport me back to fun times and cultural events and the pub songs with often amusing lyrics and catchy tunes take me there.

If you want a large selection of pub songs, this set might not be for you. But if you enjoy waltzes and big, sweeping voices, you might just treasure this collection. Either way, there is a little bit of something here for everyone.

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Celtic MP3s Music Magazine writer, Brenda Stokes is a freelance writer, former Irish Step-dancer and college student located in Southern California. She dreams in jigs and reels and is pursuing a degree in English with an emphasis in Irish studies. Her work has appeared in Woman This Month and N2arts and she can be reached at brenda@ph-x.com

Labels: cd_review_2005

Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, February 24, 2005.
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