MP3 Ceann - Almost Irish

Yankee-Irish Drinking Music

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Folk Rock, WORLD: Celtic



Details:
With the release of their new album "Almost Irish", the Irish rock group Ceann have finally captured the spirit of their unique brand of Irish music they call "Yankee-Irish Drinking Music." Early on as an acoustic trio, the members of Ceann (formerly Ceann na Caca) realized the inherent humor in Americans playing Irish music for Americans. There was no shortage of Irish nationals around to assure the band members they were not Irish or Irish-American but just plain American. The idea resonated and became the theme of their most popular song - "Almost Irish", which also became the title of their new album. Instead of feigning Irish nationality and writing songs longing for Ireland, Ceann began writing songs that reflected their second- and third-generation Irish-American experience, and they did it the only way they knew how, through humor. Their new album "Almost Irish" is 12 original songs crafted to capture the energy and fun of a live Ceann show. Besides the title track "Almost Irish", songs like "Whiskey Hurts My Tummy", "31", and "Green Beer" have already earned the band the second-hand ire of other Irish musicians tired of getting requests to play Ceann originals.

Due mainly to a strong word of mouth campaign, Ceann has become one of the most popular party-in-a-can bands on the East Coast, and plays to packed pubs from Maine to Florida. Their popularity is now taking them into the Midwest. The band's sense of humor and live energy makes them one of the few Irish bands that can play their music outside of the traditional Celtic music scene to equal success. Their live shows have set them apart and their fans have come to expect the unexpected. People know when they see Ceann live, they'll be invited to participate in the show. Sing-a-longs, dancing, and clap-alongs are part of many Irish music shows, but Ceann's comedy-infused original tunes and unique takes on classic Irish tunes never fail to entertain and excite a crowd.

For the past six years the band toured under the name "Ceann na Caca", an acoustic trio made of original members Patrick Halloran (Guitar, Vocals), James G. Telfer (Fiddle, Bass, Vocals) and Marc Wisnosky (Tin Whistle, Irish Tenor Banjo, Vocals). With the addition of drummer Scott Taylor, banjo phenom Jimmy Gleason, and guitarist/mandolin player Brer Brian, Ceann have found a way to translate their raucousness into high energy music fit for any size venue. Just as success forced the band Pogue Mahone (Irish for "kiss my ass") to shorten their name to The Pogues, the recent success of the band and the lure of radio play became the justification for Ceann na Caca to shorten their name to Ceann.

The band recorded their new album over a six-month period at KMA Studios with engineer Charlie Blass (George Clinton, Jimmy Norman, Mia Rebel.) Recorded in the heart of Times Square, "Almost Irish" features some of New York's best Irish musicians in guest spots including Mr. North guitarist Emmett O'Malley, former Black 47 uilleann pipe player and current Seanchaí & the Unity Squad frontman Chris Byrne, as well as popular New York seissun players Tommy Walsh on accordion and Rich McDaid on fiddle.