Lakefield

Amazon.com
Lakefield, Leahy's second release, is named for the Ontario, Canada, town where the band members grew up. The nine sisters and brothers deliver another potent shot of energetic Celtic music on this album. As on their first release, Leahy, the band mixes superior traditional fiddling with contemporary pop rhythms and modern country harmonies. The singing of Denise Leahy and her sisters on songs like "Borrowed Time" and "A Love Never Known" is pleasant enough in a mainstream, Nashville sort of way, but it's the band's instrumental abilities that really set them apart. On tracks like "Seamus," "Mission," and "Leviathan," the band uses driving fiddles and propulsive tempos to create a new form of Celtic music that perhaps can best be described as "stadium ceilidh." Leahy's sound may not appeal to the traditionalist, but their high spirits, danceable tunes, and instrumental skill will have even the stodgiest purists secretly tapping their toes. --Michael Simmons

Tracks:

Mission
Seamus (Eamon Coyne's/Longford Collector)
Down That Road
DA
Moment
Leviathan (Rapids/Leviathan)
Don't Let Me Down
A Love Never Known
G Minor Medley (Traditional)
Borrowed Time
Stand Up
The Skater

Amazon.com

Lakefield, Leahy's second release, is named for the Ontario, Canada, town where the band members grew up. The nine sisters and brothers deliver another potent shot of energetic Celtic music on this album. As on their first release, Leahy, the band mixes superior traditional fiddling with contemporary pop rhythms and modern country harmonies. The singing of Denise Leahy and her sisters on songs like "Borrowed Time" and "A Love Never Known" is pleasant enough in a mainstream, Nashville sort of way, but it's the band's instrumental abilities that really set them apart. On tracks like "Seamus," "Mission," and "Leviathan," the band uses driving fiddles and propulsive tempos to create a new form of Celtic music that perhaps can best be described as "stadium ceilidh." Leahy's sound may not appeal to the traditionalist, but their high spirits, danceable tunes, and instrumental skill will have even the stodgiest purists secretly tapping their toes. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Best Trad Irish/Celtic group in the world (From Canada).......2007-01-20

Ive seen them all Solas, Danu, Dervish, Lunasa, Altan and even the Chieftains and i can honestly say right now that leahy are the very best at what they do. They are magnificent live. This record is probably their best. I love the vocals and inspiring and sad songs. Any leahy record is good but this one is my favourite.

What a Gifted Family.......2006-11-10

This is a great CD. I was waiting years for the second album after their inaugural CD and it was worth the wait. I didn't think that they could outdo their first CD and they didn't, but they can awful close.

Pleasant Surprise.......2006-11-07

I am new to Leahy. I was only familiar with a track or two, from PBS stations, played inbetween programs. I was pleasantly surprised. Though I am not a person that is into folk music, it is very spirited and has enough modern aspects to keep me interested, and yet retain the Celtic origin and flare. The strings are lovely, and vocals haunting. It is now one of my favorite CD's. The gentle spiritual themes in some selections are a nice touch.

Celtic / pop / country fusion at its finest!.......2006-10-02

Alternating between fiery Celtic fiddling and appealing, pop-style vocals sung in pure country harmony, these lush songs from the nine Leahy siblings shimmer with heartfelt energy. In this, their second album from Narada, vocals are not the only addition to the group's sound. Judging from the cover photos and the sound of the footsteps, it sounds like more--if not all--of the brothers and sisters are adding their feet to the step-dancing percussion. Though not really a fan of pop vocal music, I find that I don't mind it here at all. The sisters' voices are sweet and well-matched, and the lyrics are great--professions of faith, philosophy and gentle insight into aspects of human nature that are so much more important than the customary "baby, baby, I want you" schlock that generally permeates the pop idiom. And of course, the fiddling and the piano improvs on "Lakefield" are terrific--full of spunk and style, and the guitar, bass and drum accompaniments keep everything bouncing along with modern flare. If you like Leahy, try also the work of the Irish band Solas, which explores a similar range of musical territory, and American hammered dulcimer player Jerry Read Smith, who seems to espouse a similar philosophy. And of course, for more Irish step-dancing, check out the music and videos from Riverdance and Michael Flatley.

Not what you might think it will be.......2006-04-08

I purchased this CD after hearing their latest CD "In All Things", and after seeing them live. The show was spectacular, and their latest cd is quite good. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that this CD would be far more appropriately classified as a CD for christian audiences! Upon realizing this, the CD was forcibly ejected from my player and will never see the light of day, or be spoken of, again. The musicianship was solid, but I feel as though I've been conned. In the mood for secular nouveau celtic? You won't find it here.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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