Gaelic Storm Raised Me on Black and Tan
I was a Black and Tan virgin yesterday (July 29). But now? After hearing Gaelic Storm sing their new "Raised on Black and Tans" last night in Chicago, I had to properly celebrate the tiny little Irish side of my heritage. So as the bartender poured me this pale ale and stout after the show, I let it sink in as I thought about what is possibly my new favorite song.
All I really knew about Gaelic Storm going into this show was that they were the band for the Irish-party-in-third-class scene in the film, Titanic. (Who could forget Leonardo DiCaprio asking Kate Winslet, "So, you wanna go to a real party?") And after their opening song, I knew a few more things. Bagpiper Pete Purvis in this Celtic band is clearly the rock star of the bunch. They can swing easily from a folky song like "Me and the Moon" to an all-instrumental set of tunes without busting their groove, and founding members Patrick Murphy and Steve Twigger love to tell stories in songs and in between songs.
But here is why I am crazy about this new song. It isn't about being in Ireland but rather having some Ireland in you. It's about sticky buns and whiskey, going to mass on Sunday but being back at the pub on Monday, having a sister with a Celtic cross tattoo and a cousin from Killarney. And being from the right (or wrong, depending on the verse) side of the South side. It's from their new album, Cabbage. And like they sing, "I've never been to Ireland/But I know it's in my blood." Even an ounce of that Irishman in you will want to get to know this song. You can get the CD on Tuesday (Aug. 3) or download the song for free right now or set sail with the band when they depart from Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 2 as part of the Zac Brown Band's Sailing Southern Ground cruise. I think they'll have a Guinness waiting for you.
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Redmaz says:
Once again….”You see Alison’s name, then it’s mainstream. I’ve never seen her have a serious blog about roots music” - Robin.
Those bagpipes are just burning up the mainstream airwaves and Pop charts aren’t they Robin?..:) (sfip)
D Trotter says:
Really, the blog’s not all that SERIOUS. And while Irish folk music was crucial in the evolution of American Folk and Country music, I’m sensing that Alison is talking about about having fun here, not roots music.
As for the band, well, they are fun. This is a band that sings about knocking Russel Crowe in the head. Cool.
And they’re at least a LITTLE commercial. Sort of a Clancy Brothers or Dubliners. Not rock-influenced like the Pogues or Flogging Molly, but hardly Irish folk purists in the vein of the Chieftains or Planxty.
Nice to see Alison publicize new bands who are a little different than the usual CMT fare. Keep it up — maybe you’ll become a Music-phile yet.
Redmaz says:
Are you speaking for Robin now DTrotter? Not a good idea. Your contradictions are directly in line with hers…For example,,,
From the blog…”These Real Country Girls Haven’t gone Gaga” Aug 1st@2:09 am, DTrotter says… “I will never understand why some of you feel it is so essential to label everything”…..
…and later on in that very blog Dtrotter uses these labels/genres….
Zydeco
Swamp Pop
Alt-Country
Country Music
Blues
Folk
Rock
…and directly above my post DTrotter uses
Irish Folk Music
American Folk
Rock influenced
So which is it DTrotter? How can you never understand why some feel the need to label everything when YOU do it yourself?
D Trotter says:
Red! Thought you weren’t speaking to me anymore. Interesting how you take me out of context to present your case.
If I recall, my use of the term “zydeco” came in a sentence where I said I didn’t need to know that term to like Clifton Chenier.
My use of the term “alt-country” came in a paragraph where I ended by asking why anyone really needed such a dubious term as “alt-country”.
You can’t debate the usage of terminology w/o USING it.
Besides, I have no real problem with the MAJOR categories. But you saw Bonnie’s post, which listed, oh, skatey-eight NEW sub-genres of “Country” — isn’t all this labeling becoming a little excessive and ridiculous? Really?
And there’s a big difference between (1)knowing the names of musical genres and (2) choosing one of them and wearing like a flag while turning your nose up at other genres.
As I’ve told you before, I respect your knowledge, especially in Americana/ Roots Musics, and I also respect that you never waste your time saying rude things about any artist. And you’re a bright guy, so I have to believe your tone of superiority when talking about “pop” and “pop country” music … is intentional.
I don’t even really disagree that most pop is artistically banal and commercially-driven, especially when controlled by Marketing monsters like Disney and the big labels. My problem with your comments is the way you turn the pop genre’s “frequent tendencies” into “rigid definitions”.
I’ve been a huge fan of Ryan Bingham’s work (long before CRAZY HEART) and he’s most likely listed among your Americana artists. I love Paul Simon’s work (especially after he ditched Art), and he’s definitely categorized as a “Pop” singer/songwriter. Two very different artists, both great.
If you intend to tell me that (1) Ryan is a pure artist with no interest in commercial recognition and success, and that (2) Paul lacks real creative motivation and is only interested in crafting product to sell to the most people possible, or that (3) Paul is a helpless pawn who has to do what his label wants … I’m just going to laugh at your lack of real knowledge about the many hundreds of “pop” artists who have had vision, integrity and real talent. When “musical preference” becomes prejudiced elitism, it’s no better than other types of prejudice. For all I know, you have some vested interest in furthering the appreciation of Americana artists among Country fans. I would 100% SUPPORT that effort, but NOT by painting the entire Pop spectrum in broad strokes of negativity. You’re better than that.
Redmaz says:
Wrong again. You didn’t say you didn’t need to know the term Zydeco to like Clifton Chenier. You said…”But the first time I heard Zydeco, courtesy of Clifton Chenier I didn’t ask what kind of music it was, instead I asked “Who is this”" So according to you, AFTER hearing Clifton Chenier you used a the “label” Zydeco to describe him and his music. “Zydeco”
D Trotter says:
Exactly, Red!
The first time I heard Zydeco music, I didn’t know the kind of music it was, and the first thing that I wanted to know was “WHO is this artist?” … NOT “What KIND of music is this”.
THAT’S how it’s works for most people! When kids first heard Elvis, most of them didn’t even know the term “Rock n’ Roll”. And if someone had come on and said, “Here’s something called ‘Rock n’ Roll’”, and then played some lousy garage band, nobody would have wanted to hear it again.
See — it’s the ARTISTS that matter, Red — NOT the LABEL!
Redmaz says:
If it’s the artist that matters why label it then? You are the one who said “Zydeco” not me. For someone who will never understand why some feel the need to label everything, you certainly do it yourself.
D Trotter says:
Wrong again, Red.
It was Shadow who brought up “Zydeco”, not moi.
You just started butting into our conversation, and now you’re coming up with your own version of it.
But if you want to stop any labeling, you got a deal.
No more correcting people’s usage of the words “pop” and “country” from you, and I’ll never say Zydeco again on these pagers.
Agreed?
Redmaz says:
Nope. No deal. “moi”? Once again…from D Trotter, “But the first time I heard Zydeco, courtesy of Clifton Chenier, I didn’t ask what kind of music it was, instead I asked who is this”
D Trotter says:
Yeah, “moi”, French word for “me”, often used jokingly, quite appropriate given the roots of the music you keep bringing up.
Didn’t really think you’d take the deal. (What would you do with yourself w/ your rubber stamp “pop” definition.)
Red, do you have some kind of reading problem? You keep shoving that quote at me, it’s quite clear, it says exactly what I meant, and it proves my point, not yours. Is it your understanding that the first time I heard Zydeco, I knew the name for it? Because I didn’t. I found that out later, AFTER buying his record. I can now refer to the time I first heard Zydeco music, using a term I didn’t know then. Understand now?
Redmaz says:
Oh yeah…I’ve had you figured out for quite some time, and now I have your quotes to prove it. The first time I heard the term Zydeco was before I heard the music itself. So if you were talking to someone such as myself(or anyone for that matter), and you said you like Clifton Chenier’s music, and I(or anyone else for that matter) were to ask “what kind of music does Clifton Chenier play”, and since you will never understand why some people feel it is so essential to label everything….what would be your reply?
D Trotter says:
Red,
You’re so desperate to save face that you keep attacking me on a totally insignificant point about Zydeco music, on a completely unrelated blog about Irish Music.
Your grammar is disintegrating; I can’t even tell what you mean anymore. Your last “sentence” is just babbling, so convoluted it defies comprehension.
Then there’s this one:
“The first time I heard the term Zydeco was before I heard the music itself.”
Is that you supposed to be my statement? Because you’ve quoted me correctly several times, and you’re well aware that I never said “the first time I heard THE TERM Zydeco”. (
I said “the first time I heard Zydeco” (the MUSIC itself — NOT the term), it was played by Clifton Chenier, and I didn’t ask myself what kind of music it was, I wanted to know the name of the artist.
As I recall, I heard it on a FM station that played traditional folk and blues. They mentioned who the artist was. I ordered an album (”Bogalusa Boogie”) which had a blurb on the bottom of the cover — “classic zydeco” — and THAT’S when I first saw the term. Great MUSIC by a great ARTIST attracted me, NOT some musical TERM, LABEL, or GENRE.
After quoting me accurately several times, you try to change my words to suit your point? I used to believe you above that kind of thing.
D Trotter says:
Meant to say: “is that you speaking, or is that supposed to be my statement?”
Must be catching your sentence construction.
Redmaz says:
So do you believe it is essential to have proper sentence construction and basic grammar fundamentals? If so…how do you feel about quotation marks? Because everytime I quote you(or anyone)I use them. Do you see any quotation marks around the sentence in question?