Review - Brobdingnagian Bards - Songs of Ireland
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Artist: Brobdingnagian Bards
CD: Songs of Ireland
Bonnie tells us: In the interests of full disclosure, I’m a great big Brobdingnagian Bards fangirl. So if this sounds like it was written by a great big fangirl, well, the shoe fits folks. One of the many things I love about this band is that you will never mistake a Bard’s song for anyone else. They have a unique and completely distinctive vibe that shines through all of their music. Whether it’s fighting rebel songs, romantic ballads, or comedic parody, there’s always a thread of Brobdingnagianess running through. If you’re not familiar with their music, Songs of Ireland is a wonderful album to start you down the road to becoming (almost!) as looney about them as I am.
If you missed out on having an Irish mama (or if your Irish mama was tone deaf and rhythm deficient like mine, sorry mom) you may never have had the experience of being sung to sleep with copious too-ra-loo-ra-loo-rals. Featuring Marc Gunn on vocals and autoharp, and Andrew McKee on recorder, An Irish Lullaby will melt your heart into a warm bloody puddle. Okay, sometimes I gross MYSELF out. All joking aside, this is a lovely interpretation of a beautiful song.
Come Out Ye Black and Tans is a favorite of mine both because I love the song, and because Andrew and Marc sing the chorus together and I think the combination of their voices is golden.
If listening to Patriot Game doesn’t get you fired up, then you’ve probably never written a research paper on the IRA. This is an almost brutal song that needs to be sung from the heart and the gut, and here the vocals really deliver with zeal and fervor.
Andrew’s voice is just about bewitching. If he ever goes looking for work as a Pied Piper, keep an eye to your valuables and your children. Don’t believe me? Give The Unicorn Song a spin and hear for yourself! And take a few deep breaths there, Marc, it’ll turn out alright in the end.
I thought about writing something critical here but to heck with that. There’s just not a bad song on this c.d. as far as I’m concerned, so put those potatoes in your pipe and smoke them.
Songs of Ireland is a great album for anyone that is interested in Irish and Celtic music. Whether you’re a new devotee or a long time partisan, this belongs on your shelf. You’ll thank yourself if you buy it and maybe even kick yourself a little for not doing it sooner.
Mike says: Bonnie and I decided we wanted to review a CD of traditional Irish songs, and it’s hard to find one better than Songs of Ireland. I mean, it’s right there in the title. These are all Songs from, or about, Ireland. Now, if you’re a fan of traditional music, an Autoharp, a Recorder, and a Mandolin probably don’t strike you as the most common of instruments. Just roll with it. It’s good stuff.
All my personal favorites are here: Rosin the Beau, Spancil Hill, Finnegan’s Wake, Join the British Army, and tons more well-known and beloved songs, all performed with a special Brobdingnagian touch. No, not like when they’re out at Faire sneaking up and touching people, that’s a different Brobdingnagian Touch… this one’s more musical.
If you’re of a political bent, Come Out Ye Black and Tans, Patriot Game, and By the Rising of the Moon are all great rebel songs, and Marc and Andrew put a lot of energy into making these rousing versions.
With 19 tracks and a full hour of music, this is a fantastic collection of well performed and well recorded Irish tunes. So, go get your St. Pats Day T-Shirt out of the closet, grab a pint, and check this out!
You can find more information about the Brobdingnagian Bards all over the place, but the easiest ways are at www.thebards.net or at their Myspace Page. Oh, and of course, be sure to check out the Celtophilia interview with Marc of the Brobdingnagian Bards.
If you want to get your own copy of Songs of Ireland, you can always 
at CDBaby!
