The Secret World of Celtic Rock album cover
The Secret World of Celtic Rock pays tribute to the incredible sub-genre of Celtic music called “Celtic Rock”. With well-over an hour of great music, this CD is packed full of some of the best independent Celtic Rock groups around the world.
This album, which packs 19 different groups into every little crevice of the CD, is at turns exciting, dramatic, driving, and just plain fun.
The album is produced by the Celtic Music Magazine and the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, celebrating Celtic culture through music.
“It's time that the Secret World of Celtic Rock remains a secret no longer and makes its way to your CD collection. Its diversity & song selection will be welcome in any household and should be an integral part of any Celtic Rock collection. So, grab a Guinness & go grab your copy of The Secret World of Celtic Rock. Slainte!” – Kyle Caruthers, CD Baby member
Tracks
- Mordred's Lullaby by Heather Dale
- Moore St. Girls by The Elders
- In Like Flynn by The Indulgers
- Cold Glencoe by Rise
- Johnny Jump Up/Swallow Tail Jig by Amadan
- Slip Me 5 by Brothers 3
- San Patricio Brigade by Black 47
- Nothin' by Lenahan
- The Grass Is Greener by The Electrics
- Day After Day by Tears for Beers
- Sovay/Halting March by Paisley Close
- My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose by Rimbo (w/Marc Gunn)
- The Chieri by Avalon Rising
- Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda by RavensWing
- Erin Go Bragh by Jayah
- The Day We Set Sail by Tale | Theo Niessink
- The Great Whale Road by Fathom
- A Soulin by Arminta
- Groovy Scooby by The Rogues
Released Jan 1, 2005
Album Reviews
Secret World Celtic Rock
Individual track reviews by Sherrie Dennis
Heather Dale
Mordred’s Lullaby
http://www.heatherdale.com
The music combined with lyrical articulation of the darkness and grandeur of Arthurian legend make this a striking opening track. Heather Dale’s vocal interpretation is a fine mix between a mother’s sweetness and a wolf’s pragmatism. Although the musical arrangement is lush, nothing is without purpose. The didge drone translates into Morgan La Fay’s ceaseless drive in vengeful purpose. The repetitive background vocals are communicative of constant maternal influence. The cyclical nature of the melody carries Morgan’s will to see things come full circle between her and Arthur by means of Mordred. All in all, I rather liked it as a song.
The Elders
Moore St. Girls
http://www.eldersmusic.com/
Warning to those unaccustomed to compilations: there is a chasm-like musical separation between first track and second. That having been said, I loved this song. I actually had great fun on Moore Street. I think it’s the refreshing sensation of the pendulum swing you get from leaving Henry Street. You go from frenetic tourist-based affluence to something resembling a miniature Brooklyn. And yes, you will walk away with something chintzy you weren’t looking for. You’ll also walk away with a grin. Side note: the word ‘allure’ should be pronounced with three syllables.
The Indulgers
In Like Flynn
I would never encourage slouching on your INS paperwork. However, singing about slouching on your INS paperwork is perfectly acceptable. Especially with beer. Great track.
Rise
Cold Glencoe
Warning #2: switching gears again. I liked the sparseness of the instrumentation. Anything more than what’s there would’ve been superfluous. The lyrics and vocals alone are impressive enough as they are. Very well written and reminiscent of Dougie MacLean’s work. You don’t often hear the account of the Glencoe Massacre sung from the viewpoint of the Campbells. I must admit. This is the track I find myself going back to most often.
Amadan
Johnny Jump-Up/The Swallow’s Tail
http://www.amadanusa.com
I liked the hand percussion and didge. I don’t think it’s fast enough, though (meant facetiously).
Brothers 3
Slip Me
Jazz alert! This compilation is much more diverse than the title suggests. I always thought slip jigs to lend themselves well to jazz, and this arrangement is no exception. There are a few bits that make me cringe (the weird little synth-that-sorta-sounds-like-it-could-be-a-fiddle sound achieves none of the drama that it was meant to invoke). Right around the three minute mark the track gets its groove on. The track as a whole is *just* on the right side of the jazz/smooth jazz line. Check out their other stuff.
Black 47
San Patricio Brigade
http://www.black47.com
Good song about men fighting for the only common ground they could find when their own military leaders gave them no reason to do otherwise. Black 47 has a great sound as it is. Solid playing and unencumbered singing. The horn arrangement is great, and their energy is contagious and captured well on this track.
Lenahan
Nothin’
http://www.celtic-rock.com
Love it, love it, love it. The playing is delicious. It strips away the stereotype of the regimented sound usually associated with bagpipes. In typical blues fashion, the lyrics are honest and funny (voice like a giraffe – ha!). This is another track I keep going back to.
The Electrics
Grass is Greener
http://www.theelectrics.com/
I’m glad to say (sorry, GLAD TO SAY), I enjoyed this one. The playing is fast and fun with a mix sounding like Irish rock mixed with a little bit of African High Life. The lyrics sympathize with those of us who’ve encountered the unabashed pretense and hauteur prevalent in some parts of this country.
Tears for Beers
Day After Day
http://www.tearsforbeers.de
Quite a sad song, really. Musically, there’s a nice sonic rapport between the fiddle and accordion. The resigned feel of the vocals is a soulful and sensitive portrayal of the stagnant feeling of a loveless relationship, and the false security of meaningless continuity. That’s my bit of psychoanalysis for the day.
Paisley Close
Savoy-Halting March
Another group of Mucky Duck heroes! The playing and singing are both brilliant on this track. The vocals are simultaneously unpretentious and affecting – a rare combination found in the likes of Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Karen Matheson and Karen Casey. I enjoyed the sort of instrumental alchemy they have. The guitar and bouzouki playing in particular are really grand.
Rimbo
My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose
This compilation would not be complete without the obligatory Robert Burns song. So here it is. But there’s a pleasant surprise here. Here is “My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose” beautifully redone with a heartfelt vocal rendering and nice mix of electronic and truly lovely string arrangements.
Avalon Rising
The Chieri
https://flowinglass.com/avalon-rising
I would like to think myself unbiased, but being a huge Ian Anderson fan, I can’t detach this song from Jethro Tull likenesses, and therefore I’m forced to love it by default.
Ravenswing
Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasta
I’ve heard many versions of this song, and all of them better. I’m so sorry. Perhaps this is just a case of a recorded performance paling in comparison to the band’s live performances, but this track just didn’t earn its place on this compilation. Again, I’m sorry, but I skip this track every time now. Please refer to Capercaillie for a great recorded performance of this song.
Jayah
Erin go Bragh
The gentle ¾ time, piano, and trio harmonies give this song a warm southern gospel feel. Even though this song is sung sweet and low, uilleann pipes and low whistle are inserted just where you’d expect them, this song actually ends up being moving instead of maudlin.
Tale/Theo Neissink
The Day We Set Sale
https://www.taletn.com/
See? This is why you shouldn’t hunt whales. No, really though. This is very cool stuff. How often do you find something from the Netherlands on a Celtic compilation?
Fathom
The Great Whale Road
There’s a distinctly 80’s anthemic quality to the guitar playing and singing – note: this is NOT a bad thing. Heavy vibrato, time signature changes, chugging/siren guitar. It’s all there, but none of these things are over-the-top. This one was pure rock.
Arminta
A Soulin
The song is really good. There’re a few off key moments, but not enough to deter listeners. The drums and mando are a nice combination. The only real drawback is that this performance deserves a slightly crisper production.
The Rogues
Groovy Scooby
http://www.therogues.com
The Rogues are always great, and now with the addition of piper extraordinaire E.J. Jones (http://www.piperjones.com) they’re an absolute must hear. This live cut is a lot of fun. See them live when you can.
All in all, this is a wonderful compilation of artists you may otherwise miss as you’re sorting through Seven Nations and Glengarry Bhoys CDs at the festival tents. Be a responsible Celtic music lover. Support your local Celtic rock bands, and get their names out there!
