Music reviews: recently released albums from Irish and Irish-American artists

Combining fiddle, bodhrán, guitar, harp, uilleann pipes, mandolin, flute, bouzouki and cello, Music in the Glen blends a range of instrumental voices that are perfectly applied to holiday classics. Not to limit their sound, Killingsworth and Moran provide vocals to a number of tracks as well, though they can be distracting at times. The vocals are impressively integrated on the band’s rendition of “Wexford Carol.” Starting with an instrumental introduction, which moves slowly and lulls the listener, Moran’s voice enters with the familiar tune.

“Miss Rowan Davies” is a beautiful track which showcases the band’s true strength of layering complex musical patterns into a comforting and peaceful musical experience. Their energy cannot be denied on tracks like “Kilmovee Jig” which picks up the pace of the album and really celebrates the rhythm of Irish music. Fuar is available on iTunes and at the band’s website, musicglenatlanta.com.         

  – Tara Dougherty

Stonewall: Built in Belfast

 A trio from County Armagh, Stonewall released their album of traditional and original Irish folk tunes entitled Built in Belfast. All three are vocalists and guitarists and each lends a number of other musical skills to different tracks. Colin Slaine also plays piano, banjo and accordion. Andy Cornett also plays piano and percussion, and Kenny Qua contributes whistles and flutes to the mix. Having played over 70 venues throughout Ireland in two years, the trio named their band after American Civil War General Stonewall Jackson.

Built in Belfast contains a unique combination of contemporary folk sounds and traditional Irish songs. “Charlie Hunter’s Muckin’ Out Georgies/Atholl Highlanders” is a playful set of jigs in which the flutes take center stage in a carefree rhythmic fashion. The track is followed by sweet vocals on “Will Ye Go Lassie Go.” The band fills out each song with layers of instrumental exploration, usually anchored by one of the three’s understated vocals. Always maintaining a sense of levity in their tracks, Stonewall does well to spin traditionally gloomy songs in a positive way.

One of the more fun tracks is a session which features guest bagpiper Richard Magowan, and includes the traditional “Merrily Danced the Quaker’s Wife.” Stonewall combines three musical craftsmen with airy vocals into an album rich with variety and a constant cultural undertone. Built in Belfast is available on the band’s site stonewallmusic.co.uk.                  

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Nster.com