Herding Cats

Amazon.com
Following their gig as steerage band in mega-blockbuster The Titanic, their acclaimed self-titled debut disc, and a continuous tour throughout North America, the U.K., Japan, and France, Gaelic Storm offer up the enticing reels, boisterous jigs, and sweet melodies of Herding Cats. Beginning with the rousing "Drink the Night Away," the quintet marries fiddle, guitar, accordion, harmonica, and bodhran with the African djembe, the group's signature vocals, and a spirit of merriment. Previously a favored pub band in Santa Monica, California, the ensemble, whose members hail from places as diverse as Ireland, Zambia, England, and the U.S., manages to preserve the intimacy of a small show while infusing the recording with robust zeal and exceptional musicianship. "O-Mahonny's" stars a flamenco-jazz-flavored guitar and accordion intro, while "Hewlett's Set," "Western Lilt," and "Titanic Set" cajole the listener to frolic on the dance floor and "She Was the Prize" evokes starry-eyed romance. --Paige La Grone

Tracks:

Drink The Night Away
The Ferryman
South Australia
After Hours At McGann's
Heart Of The Ocean
Breakfast At Lady A.'s
The Park East Polkas
Spanish Lady
The Devil Went Down To Doolin
Barnyards of Delgaty
The Broken Promise
She Was The Prize
Titanic Set

Amazon.com

Following their gig as steerage band in mega-blockbuster The Titanic, their acclaimed self-titled debut disc, and a continuous tour throughout North America, the U.K., Japan, and France, Gaelic Storm offer up the enticing reels, boisterous jigs, and sweet melodies of Herding Cats. Beginning with the rousing "Drink the Night Away," the quintet marries fiddle, guitar, accordion, harmonica, and bodhran with the African djembe, the group's signature vocals, and a spirit of merriment. Previously a favored pub band in Santa Monica, California, the ensemble, whose members hail from places as diverse as Ireland, Zambia, England, and the U.S., manages to preserve the intimacy of a small show while infusing the recording with robust zeal and exceptional musicianship. "O-Mahonny's" stars a flamenco-jazz-flavored guitar and accordion intro, while "Hewlett's Set," "Western Lilt," and "Titanic Set" cajole the listener to frolic on the dance floor and "She Was the Prize" evokes starry-eyed romance. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Love it!.......2006-12-08

OK, I don't think this CD can actually be called Celtic music; Irish maybe, but not Celtic. It lacks some of the dreamy quality of good Celtic music but it's a ton of fun! The only reason I'm giving it four stars is because it's impossible for me to drive to. The songs make me feel like dancing and that's a little bit hard in a car.

Full of Irish fun.......2005-08-21

I picked this CD up by chance one day, and ever since it has been one of my all-time favorites. I listen to it in the car all the time. I'm a fan of Celtic music in general, but even if you're not into Celtic this CD is a lot of fun to listen to. It's not purely Celtic or Irish (although it does have it's share of jigs), but it'll keep you loving it and moving to it anyway. There's a lot of fiddle and guitar that work together very well.

Tracks I particularly like are Breakfast at Lady A's, The Devil Went Down to Doolin, and the Park East Polkas. There's some fabulous accordion work in that last; I'd never heard a dancing accordion before but this track made a believer out of me.

In short, if you're in a lively mood this is absolutely perfect.

A Grand Celebration!!!.......2004-04-15

This cd is not bad at all. They sound a lot better than most artists from Ireland who have gone pop. Celtic music at it's best! Makes me want to riverdance around my living room without stopping for breathe! Gaelic Storm rocks!

A lively romp.......2002-12-03

As a lot of people probably did, I bought my first GS disc (this one) after hearing them on the "Titanic" track (which I bought because it was composed by James Horner, but I digress). I enjoy Irish-pub style music anyway, and here is plenty of it, delivered with spirit and verve. The band isn't quite so good when it moves into the contemplative, which is why I rate it at four stars, but for music that will make your feet twitch, they're right up there.

Herding Cats.......2002-01-05

I think this is a decent album -- stronger on the traditional music, with a fun, party/pub feel, weaker on the often somewhat silly "original" pieces. The energy projected by Gaelic Storm live doesn't quite come through, but it's still an enjoyable CD.

Reviewers may be interested to know that this band was in existence for *years* before the film Titanic came out; they used to play every Sunday at O'Brian's in Santa Monica. They're no more or less "commercial" than any other band.

Average customer rating:

Rhymes of Passion a great CD!!!!

very listenable CD

Rhymes of Passion
Donna Jose
Manufacturer: Herding Cats Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000K4J1
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

Hometown Girl
Rain, Rain Come Again
Turning Over Stones
Shine Like Diamonds
Key to My Heart
Perfect Melody
Drivin'
Sweet 16
50 Years
Emerald Eyes
Life Don't Rhyme

Customer Reviews:

Rhymes of Passion a great CD!!!!.......2001-12-20

This CD is one of the most creative efforts I have heard in a long time. It is Americana at its best, with strong and pure vocals and wonderful guitar pickin'. There are many musical surprises on this CD that are tasteful, and blend into a cohesive whole. Definitely worth a listen.

very listenable CD.......2001-07-20

Donna is an excellent up and coming songwriter with a beautiful voice. Rhymes of Passion is a great debut effort that folk/rock people are gonna really enjoy a lot. Brad Price, lead gutarist is a joy to hear, akin to Trey from Phish. The whole band works together "hand in glove." Right now Donna's not getting much airplay, although "Driving" made it onto the Car Talk program on NPR. I'm sure that'll change as soon as more people hear this CD. She plays here in Portland a lot, and has a very loyal following.