Search - Open House :: Second Story

Celtic instrumentals with a goofy, playful air

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 08/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fiddler Kevin Burke anchors this sharp, winsomely melodic Celtic-crossover album, which was co-produced with bluegrass picker Tim O'Brien, who also adds a few nice licks on the guitar and mandolin. Although it's a mostly-instrumental effort, this group has a light, deft touch that cuts down the normal severity of jigs and reels. The three vocal numbers are all folkie novelty tunes, written by harmonica player Mark Graham -- a faux sea shanty lamenting the rigors of aerobic exercise, and a lampoon of Greek clasical culture(!) Not your standard, haunting, timeless trad ballads, to be sure, but okay the first time or two you hear them. Mostly this album is about the sets, and they are pretty sweet."