New Celtic CD from 'Catter

Subject: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 03:33 PM

I'm pleased as punch to announce the release of the new album by my band, Greenhouse. It's called "One Last Cold Kiss" (Jackalope Records JLP 1252. Here's the track list:

1. Pharaoh (Richard Thompson)
2. The Dark-Eyed Sailor
3. The Fox's Revenge
    a. Foxhunter's Jig
    b. The Gold Ring
4. Siul A Ruin
5. Captain Jack and the Mermaid (Meg Davis)
6. Geordie
7. The Snoring Maids
    a. Ronfleuse Gobeil
    b. The Maid Behind the Bar
    c. The Sligo Maid
8. John Barleycorn
9. I Know My Love
10. Solveig
11. My Lagan Love
12. a. The Rose Among the Heather
    b. Grumbling Old Woman, Growling Old Man
13. One Last Cold Kiss (Pappalardi/Collins)
14. a. The Host of the Air (Yeats)
    b. The Burning of the Piper's Hut

You can hear soundclips by clicking here.

Special Free CD Offer: I'm looking for one ore more persons to write a short (hopefully favorable) review that I can quote in my promotional material. If you would like to do that, PM me with your address, and I will send you a free copy.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 03:47 PM

Good luck!

I hope you get more of a response than I did when I posted our CD release stuff...

:-)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: dwditty
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 04:55 PM

Bingo

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: GUEST,Sharon G
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 05:05 PM

congratulations-
A new cd is a lot of work, but it's so rewarding when you're done.
Sharon

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 07:05 PM

Thanks, Clinton... you actually were one of the people I thought might take me up on my offer. How about it?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 07:33 PM

Sure, I'll review it... but who the hell am I that my opinion is gonna matter a tinker cuss?

:-)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 08:39 PM

Doesn't open mike contribute to folk music programs in Northern CA? Maybe she is a good candidate for a free CD.

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 01:46 AM

Clinton, from your posts I've read here, it seems you're into the Celtic thing, so there's a chance you may like it. And I'd like to get some feedback from my peers, and maybe some printable quotes, that's all.

pdq, you're right, I've got one in the mail to her.

Cheers, Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 02:44 PM

I'm sorta into the celtic thing ya... :-)

At the very least I'm really keen to hear yer "John Barleycorn"

Feedback from your peers eh?

That seems to be something that Mudcat is really bad at... ask others here who have 'announced' cd releases here... ask them how quickly thier threads dropped like stones... Some very few chime in... but the majority are too busy discussing facial hair and politics like either one of them matters a tinkers cuss...

So ya... I'm happy to 'review' your CD mate... If only to spite Mudcat by doing it! LOL

PM me... or email me at [e-mail]

:-)

(On the strength of the soundclips alone, I suspect I also know of more than a few people who'll want copies of this puppy!)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: smallpiper
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 06:56 PM

From listening to the sound clips... most interesting and a little unusual... I like it! (sadly can't buy a copy though 'cos I'm skint)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 07:58 PM

So Michael?

Any possibility of a mudcatter discount to help the skint ones?

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: yrlancslad
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:51 PM

Hey send me a copy and I'll play it on my radio show if its trad, uk or Irish also happy to review it if it helps! E-mail [e-mail] for the address.
Malcolm

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 12:41 AM

smallpiper -- please see my original post for FREE CD OFFER! You've already qualified with a printable quote: "...most interesting and a little unusual". :-)

Malcolm -- we communicated a few months ago and I have your address. CD is on the way!

Clinton -- check your PMs.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Mudlark
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 01:32 AM

Michael...This is just to congratulate you on putting out what sounds like a wonderful CD. Many of the songs covered are long-time favorites of mine and I wish you great success. Perhaps you could give the price and how to order? I'm certainly not qualified to review your CD but when finances are a bit easier I'd love to be able to buy one.

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Bassic
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 05:59 AM

"Refreshing take on traditional songs", "interesting instrumentation", "a transatlantic fusion".....................

Have a few free quotes on me, but save the postage and dont send a CD, it will give me an excuse to take a bottle of wine round to smallpipers abode and listen to his copy when it arives! Good luck with getting some "air-time".

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 04:59 PM

Thanks to all respondents! Mudlark, I'll PM you the ordering info.

Bassic, thanks for the quotes! CD is on the way to smallpiper.

We really tried hard to come up with fresh, original arrangements to the well-known songs, and to play them in ways that hadn't been done before (at least as far as I know).

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 02:55 PM

Nice cover... I like the sleeve, but Patricias pic is a little ummm... scary... Like she knows something about ya, but she won't say what... LOL And I assume that's your pic bottom right Michael? Who goosed ya? Heh

I've submitted your CD info to the CD Data Base, so now when anyone plays the CD on an internet connected computer, their media player should auto download track titles and artist info...

Now I'm off to listen to the beast!

:-)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 04:27 PM

O.k... not actually a 'review' but some notes I took during my first (no doubt of many) listening...

------------------------------
30 seconds in and I was hooked by the fiddle and the voice!

The fiddle solo of Pharaoh (And indeed Fiddle sound throughout) is reminiscent of Steeley Span... in a good way! I wish I could find a fiddle player like that...

For those who miss "Arrandale", ( an now defunct band from Ontario) Greenhouse is the band for you!

5:38 might be a little long for a set of tunes this early in a CD... Or maybe it's just that I have very little ear for tunes (Half way through the 2nd time through part B, they all start to sound the same to me) When it paused and restarted at 4:42, it was all I could do to keep from jumping to the next track...

Drum and cymbal crash was kinda jarring in Cpt Jack... And not what I'd think of as "in the traditional idiom"

The gentlest handling of John Barleycorn I've ever heard... reminded me of a harvest-fest party that I haven't been to in too many years

You guys are really kinda into Steeleye Span eh... can I join?

I can't wait to break some highway speed limit laws late late at night to the tune of My Lagan Love!

I'll be putting a bunch of this CD onto my "Between The Sets" mixed minidisk to play at my own gigs... Mixed music I play when I'm on break...

You Mudcapathizers gotta get off yer duffs and order this CD! It's a steal at twice the price!
---------------------------------

Sorry I can't go into more detail but pre-gig mode just dropped on me, and I gotta scramble!

Nice job folks! Nice job indeed!

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: open mike
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 07:34 PM

I am prepping for my radio show
with winter/solstice/holiday theme
and swedish nyckelharpa concerts
coming up. will listen and offer
comments when time allows. thanks.
Laurel

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 08:02 PM

Oh... and from my Irish Bride...

"Hey... this stuff is cool"

So take that as you will...

:-)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 10:40 PM

Clinton, you're right -- Steeleye Span's Peter Knight is a major influence for our fiddler, Dan Kahane. On our first CD, we did versions of both "The Ups and Downs" and "One Misty Moisty Morning".
Our "Barleycorn" is based more on the Traffic version, though.

Point taken about the length of the "Fox's Revenge" set, but then to play twice through a seven-part jig ("The Gold Ring") does take a bit of time!

Thanks to you and the Irish Bride for your kind words. Have a good gig!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Roberto
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 03:44 AM

I haven't listened to this CD, but I ask, why do you call this program "Celtic"? The Dark-eyed sailor, Geordie, John Barleycorn...

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Big Tim
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 06:34 AM

Good luck with the CD!

Re "One Last Cold Kiss", in his "One Voice" book Christy Moore, who of course recorded the song, says "I regret not having these lyrics in my book". Anyone got any idea why this should be? He gives the composer as Felix Pappalardi - who was/is this guy? (I've always been interested in the song as I'm anti-hunting and vegetarian).

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 07:30 AM

Since when were English folk songs Celtic?

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 09:02 AM

Where do you think it came from?
You didn't think the Anglo-Saxons were musical, did ye?   

;)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 12:59 PM

And all the pedants come out to play...

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 03:35 PM

Yeah, well, I'm not going to get into the "what is Celtic music" debate, but I will post this quote from Rambles.net:

"What is "Celtic music"? Obviously, the term doesn't describe the music of the ancient Celts, which hasn't survived in any recognizable form to modern times. While some people use the term as a marketing tool, we prefer to employ "Celtic music" to describe the family of traditions that continues to thrive today, be it straight from Ireland or Scotland, or from any of the myriad places in the world touched by a Celtic influence."

Big Tim: Felix Pappalardi (1939-1983) was the bass player for the rock band Mountain (Leslie West, guitar, and Corky Laing, drums). They had a minor hit in the 70s with "Mississippi Queen". He also co-wrote with Jack Bruce of Cream (who he produced)the song "Theme for an Imaginary Western". See this site.

While anyone can record a song that's been recorded before, reproducing lyrics requires special permission, which I guess Christy didn't get.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 08:10 PM

All right lads, where's my reviews, then? Clinton, smallpiper, Joe??

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: SueB
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 11:39 PM

I listened to a few clips, and I'm putting it on my wishlist - unfortunately, Amazon.com doesn't know that it exists yet -
will they know about it soon? Or is there another online source for it? They "know about" two others of by your band, but say they're "out of stock" - can you remedy that? --Suzanne

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Áine
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 11:53 PM

Maith thú, a Mhicheal! (Good on ya, Michael!)

A good bash by all at so many 'trad' favs -- I'd love to hear more of your own lovely voice and your octave mando, definitely. Your CD is well balanced and covers all the bases. Well done, indeed.

For your next go-round, might I suggest that you push the envelope a wee bit -- staying within the 'trad' grounds, if you like. But, cut loose and wail . . . your band sounds like it's tight enough to do that. I think you'd be well pleased with the results.

Very nice on the ears and I'd buy a ticket to the concert!

All the best to all in the band, Áine

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: alanabit
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 02:59 AM

Send one to musicmic in Philadelphia. He is very helpful and he is interested in traditional music. Good luck with it Michael.

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: smallpiper
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 05:09 AM

On its way michaelr, but to get you started it hasn't been off my cd player since it arrived.

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 03:27 PM

SueB -- you can get it through CDStreet.com.

If you don't like online transactions, PM me for mail order info.

Aine and everyone -- I appreciate the encouragement! "Cut loose and wail" -- I thought we were doing that! It's definitively more rocking than our previous efforts. :-)

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 06:37 PM

warning, trivia alert....

Felix Pappalardi was the bass player on the Ian and Sylvia record "Play One More" and worked with several folkies before moving over to rock.

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 07:24 PM

The Free CD Offer is closed now.

pdq, thanks for that tidbit! I had no idea.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: GUEST,eclipse at work
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 08:01 PM

Hi Michael,
We have a radio station, CKUA (www.ckua.org) out here that does a 3 hour celtic music show every week, called "The Celtic Show". I know that CKUA gets independent albums mailed to them , and they do play some of them. Thought I'd mention the place, just in case you or others are interested.
-Eclipse

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Big Tim
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 04:02 PM

This is irrelevant to the mainstream Thread but it puts up top again!

The only other song, that I noticed, that Christy Moore didn't get permission to print in his book was Dylan's "Song to Woody".

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 09:30 PM

OK guys, it's been a couple of weeks. Clinton, Smallpiper -- the deal was you get a free CD in return for writing a review of it.

Well, you got the CD. It's now time to come up with your end of the bargain. As Clinton said: If only to spite Mudcat by doing it!

I know everyone's busy, but hey, I'm not asking for pages!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 09:47 PM

Ta fer the reminder Michael... do me a favour... drop me an email and remind me...   Between all the holiday "kafuffle" I'll try to get it done soon!

:-)

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 07:12 PM

So here it is... posted for all to read...

Have the others sent theirs in as well?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I at down to rewrite this, the first thing I had to do was find the CD. I knew it was either in the car, in the cd changer downstairs, the CD changer in the living room, in my gig gear with my other "Between The Sets" music, or wait, did I loan it to any number of people that I know who'd also really dig this CD??? Turns out my "Herself" had scooped it for her portable CD player without telling me a couple of days ago, and I hadn't noticed yet. She may find she has to buy her own copy.

From the first few moments of my first listen to track one, I have to say I was hooked on the sound of "One Last Cold Kiss" from Greenhouse. The voice echoing the fiddle just seemed to reach to some place deep inside me, and give me a good shake. Maybe it's that the fiddle sound is very reminiscent of (without being a rip-off of) early Steeleye Span, which is NEVER a bad thing. Maybe it's that later on in the CD their version of John Barleycorn, which is the gentlest version I've ever heard, made me sweetly nostalgic for an annual Harvest Party that I used to attend with great food, drink, song, and fellowship. The version by Traffic should have been this good. There's certainly a lot that is familiar on this CD, but in a comforting way. By being 'just a little bit inventive', it steers far clear of that "I've-heard-that-before-jump-to-the-next-track" sensation that is all to commonly evoked by the cds of many 'trad' bands. Dark Eyed Sailor, damaged or not by 'broadsides' (??) has the pleasure of being both very familiar but still interpreted in a fresh way that will have you wanting to sing along even though you may have thought yourself previously sick to death of the song. My first time thought the CD I was tempted to skip large chunks of the tunes though. Personally I just don't much dig traditional instrumental stuff. Halfway through the 2nd time of part B, I just find that tunes all start to sound the same to me. Ones Last Cold Kiss might very well be changing me. Driving home late from a gig a few nights ago, I found myself trying to set a new land speed record while playing "The Fox's Revenge" and "The Rose Among The Heather" over and over and over. So even my CAR likes this CD a lot!

Just buy it. You won't be sorry.

Music this good is a steal at twice the price.

Clinton Hammond

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 06:54 PM

Thanks, Clinton!

Again, Greenhouse CDs are available at www.celticfusion.org.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: New Celtic CD from `Catter
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 07:13 PM

more trivia: Felix Pappalardi became a rock bass player and producer after his folkie days. His band "Mountain" was noted for (and presumably named for) its extra-large lead guitar player Leslie West. They were an early "power trio," very obviously influenced by Cream, who emerged at about the same time (or maybe a little before) Led Zepplin.