Album Notes

Hot new CD from Atlanta's favorite Celtic quartet featuring five new original BorderCollies songs. Read what the critics say!

"From the first note of this album's opening track, the "Thunderhead Jig Set," the Border Collies declare their ability to create a luminous brand of American Celtic folk. Featuring Michael Robbins on guitars, Katherine Irwin Thomas on fiddle, Howard Williams on mandolin, and vocalist/pennywhistler Caeri Tomson, this band creates music of celebration and joy. Balancing their own compositions with traditional tunes as well as covers by the likes of Dougie MacLean, the Collies effortlessly inhabit the world between tradition and innovation. They're not above taking a folk standard like "Three Drunken Maidens" and giving it a spritely new tune, revealing their genius through how good they make this new/old song sound. They toss off an instrumental workout of "Tam Lin" at the end of MacLean's "Waiting for the Storm" that positively struts and throbs with an exuberant, urgent energy. As a regional band with their roots in the Smoky Mountains (Swannanoa is the site of a North Carolina Celtic festival), the Border Collies may be Celtic music's best kept secret; but if this album is any indication, they won't be a secret for long." - Carl McColman, New Age Voice.

"A promising blast form the Deep South, The Road From Swananoa is a noteworthy effort -though I can't help feeling the best is yet to come." John O'Regan

"Traditional Celtic music quartet from Atlanta spins the usual assortment of high-steppin' jigs and reels with finesse, class, style and a refreshingly self-depreciating wit." - Creative Loafing.

"Atlanta's own BorderCollies playing traditional Celtic music with a polished ferocity and excellent, stop-on-a-dime instrumentation." - Ear Candy Magazine