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Three Lads a-playin' good Ol' Pub Style!

03/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Failte! Remember the good ol' days at your neighborhood pub when three fellars show up with instruments. There were not many large groups back then. First you get the word out to the locals, then you check your supply of Guinness. What a wonderful evening! Bohola has a razor sharp in synch two person lead on fiddle and piano accordian between Sean Cleland and Jimmy Keane. Then you have a wonderful, deep voiced, counter point and lead bouzouki and singing from Pat Broader. I like such albums as it is a true test of a very small group's gut instincts for the music and playing with each other. The occasional "fiddler's fart" (at least the fiddler gets blamed) does not go undetected as it does with larger groups. This is difficult and represents real precision. I love such groups especially without percussion, as I can play along on bodhran and bones. It makes for wonderful evening. This is a Chicago area group that has the reverse problem of most Irish groups playing traditional music. These lads need to be "discovered" in Ireland. Excellent Irish groups usually go undiscovered in the U.S. This is top shelf stuff and trios should not be overlooked in Celtic Collections. On the same topic, I would also recommend "Trian" for excellent trio music featuring me own Celtic Queen Elizabeth, Liz Carroll. My wish list starts with wanting lyrics to the songs to accompany the CD in the case. As much as I like playing percussion to this music, the group should try playing with good bodhran and bones. My third wish is for more. If Bohola wants to keep making such albums, I'll be happy to buy them. My fourth wish is for clarification. I have tried translating "Bohola" from Gaelic without success. Sounds like something someone would say at the end of a prolonged stout belch to compliment the barkeeper. Maybe the group can clarify this on their next album cover. Slan!"

Amazing Irish Music From Chicago Trio!!!!

citternboy | Los Angeles, CA | 03/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chicago is a great place for Irish music these days. One can find performances by such greats as Liz Carroll, Martin Hayes, and John Williams on a regular basis. As such, it is no surprise that one of the best Irish bands to emerge in the last decade hails from the windy city. Bohola is a three-piece with a HUGE sound (oftentimes sounding more like a five-piece like Altan and Dervish). This is mainly due to the fantastic accompaniment of Pat Broaders who lays down such a killer groove on bouzouki that it comes as no surprise to hear that he was taught by Donal Lunny himself. Jimmy Keane is a name that speaks for itself in Irish music and Sean Cleland is an amazing fiddler who played in the Drovers and has been highly visible in American Irish music circles for over a decade. The music is a flux of burning dances tunes and beautiful songs featuring the voice of Pat Broaders who oftentimes sounds a little too much like Christy Moore (kinda scary). Their sound is very traditional and powerfully simple which is a much needed thing in this world of ever-growing Irish-Pop collaborations. Together they bring a true seisun feel to the whole recording. Along with a few other contemporary bands (Danu, Dervish, Beginish, Craobh Rua) they breathe fresh life into the slowly stagnating genre of Irish traditional music. The opening set of chunes alone justifies the price of the cd!!"

Absolutely Brilliant

Fire Musician | Phila, PA USA | 02/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've waited a long time for a new cd featuring Jimmy Keane's superior playing. He couldn't have teamed up with two more
qualified musicians as Sean Cleland and Pat Broaders. This Cd is an absolute gem for anyone wanting pure drop irish music with the more modern touch as is so prevailant in today's recordings. It is a masterful combination of song and the music of Ireland delivered with crisp clean style. I can't wait for the next one. Great Job!!!"