Cali based American Wake has put together one hell of a Celtic Rock release here with "Tell No Tales". Eric Ree's powerful vocals, Robert Keysers playing jigs and reels on his fiddle like a crazy bastard of a genius, Hatt & Murray providing the backbone with beats and the link that holds this boat together... Frank LaBlanc with his strong musicianship and lyrics keeps me captivated for hours on end.
It's the sailors life for these five young lads of Celtic Rock... or at least the songs hold true with great tales life at sea. Imagine if you threw the Young Dubliners, Great Big Sea, and a dash of The Prodigals into a large blender... what would you get? Other than a bloody shamrock shake... you would have one hell of an explosive Celtic Rock band.

Tracks of interest: "The Drinking Jolly Roger", "Passing By", "She swears Like A Sailor", and "What Did The Deep Seas Say". Pick this one up today... or the PRR drinking team will make you walk the plank!

The boys of Barleyjuice have done it again! "Six Yanks" is a solid Celtic Rock release with amazing originals and traditionals done in a way that only Kyf, Swanny and the boys can do. Tracks of interest are "Modern Pirates" Great traditional tune with a touch of Rocky Road for good measure, "Love With A Priest" a unique, yet great, Guinness tune, "Whiskey-Bailey's-Guinness" the theme of John Bowles, and my personal favorite on the disc "Tartan Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair". If every pub in the U.S. hasn't caught on to these boys yet... then they are blind, deaf, and struck dumb by a 2x4 to the head at the age of 10... just pick up the disc and take a Guinness soaked ride down the road of Barley Juice.

The PA band Barley Juice can be best described as one of the finest in pub rock bands with some of the best sounding bunch of drunks at the helm. Caution... "Another Round" may cause instant addiction and consumption of far too many pints as I did when I sang along to this well constructed LP. The talents of the band as a whole are amazing, however Kyf Brewer's talents on Guitar, Accordion, Bodhran, Piano, and his whiskey-soaked voice is the stand-out on this Release. Kyf sings through some of our favorite traditional (I'll Tell Me Ma, Take Her Up to Monto, Whiskey in the Jar, and Moonshiner) and some of the best damn original tunes (Potatoes, What's Up Yours? & Dear Richard's Wake) I've heard come across my ear in a long while. If you like music that will have you dancing, singing, and drinking far to many pints along with this great pub rock that we love so well.... pick this release up now and raise your pint to the talents of Barley Juice ya tossers!

Tracks of interest: “Ghosts Of Our Pasts”, “Whitey”, “Mary Of the Northholt Road”, and my favorite of the disc “McBratney from the Kitchen”.

Tracks of interest: "Keep It Up To The Brim", "5 Drunken Nights", and the "Rose of Tralee".

Cairde Na Gael
"Cairde Na Gael"
Self-Released

Although we mostly play more upbeat Celtic Rock & Punk... it's great to play a track or two of the traditional stuff if it's played the way it should be. Cairde Na Gael is one hell of a traditional Irish band with great musicians playing this great traditional music! If you dig the Wolfe Tones, Dubliners, and even the Chieftains with a added touch of Oklahoma flavor.... you will love this disc.
I say pick it up today if you want to get in touch with your roots... but don't touch it that much... or you might go blind... ok I lost track of thought there for a second... lol... Just pick up the damn record for a good listen.

Highlights on this disc would have to be "E411", "Miss Walsh's Fancy/Be Easy Rogue" both amazing instrumentals, and a well crafted original track within "Emerald".

If you're interested in The Glengarry Bhoys, early Gaelic Storm, or just some good Trad. to add to your collection... "On The Shore" will be a good disc to pick up.