Album Notes

"American Landscapes" is a work of art that was inspired by the lives of real Americans. Each song is a story based adventure of over 200 years of History. Every song is performed on time period instruments which help tell the saga and create a tone poem. The band members with special guests perform on many instruments such as, pipe organ, banjo, piano, organ, trumpets, French horn, penny whistle, mandolin, surf guitar, bass, melodian, fiddle, and strings rich and full.

This new 13th cd album by the Black Irish features 11 original works and five traditional. Each ballad is based on a person or a story in time. The song "Buster Keaton" was based on the life of the famous actor. Each line in the verse tells of his life. Patrick Karnahan, of the band, wrote into the song a pipe organ music part. "This is the first time the band has used the organ". Patrick said, "it was interesting to blend the pipe organ into a folk song". Also featured thoughout the cd is the French Horn performances of long time guest musician John Baker. To date John has performed on 5 Black Irish cds.

The great thing about this cd is that it takes you to a different place. It's like reading a good group of stories about interesting people and places. The music brings back memories of those who are no longer with us also. The song Carl, Denis, George & John, is about the souls that created the Beach Boys and Beatles, and how without them we are somewhat at a loss. "The ballad of the Lady Be Good" was written by Karnahan about the ill-fated B-24 bomber that was lost in 1943. Patrick's father George was in the same bomb group. In this song Jim Nelson sings lead and has the full Black irish instrumentation behind him. Patrick wrote into the ballad a full orchestration with featured French Horn parts by John Baker. The story from the start to the end will take you into the lives of the lost crew. Patrick said that you have to listen to all the words to understand what the men were up against. Each instrument serves a great perpose in telling the story, creating a feeling!

This album also features new members Jim Nelson (banjo) & David Rainwater (fiddle).
Jim's voice is rich & stong as well as unforgettable. At concerts some have commented that Jim's voice is like "a rich chocolate mocha". He performs on banjo in the old-time fashion. Another new member,David Rainwater, is a down home award winning fiddler. He joined the band after leaving Randy Sparks & the New Christy Minstrels a year ago. To date he has won many fiddle awards in the South and enjoys Irish & Scottish styles of fiddle performance.

If you like history and enjoy stories American Landscapes might be your cd album. In the day of rap and hip-hop it's nice to know that people still write music about real people and hero's of the past. This cd album was 200 years in the making!