the cd expreses the iner person.its southing and carmful.
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I think the Pebbled Shore is a very soothing cd and advise anyone suffering from stress to buy it. Plus the jigs get your feet tapping. The overall sound is mesmerising and the Uilleann piping very good. I really enjoyed listening to this cd and hope Robbie Byrne & Shebeen record another.
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The Many Facets of Robbie Byrne and Shebeen, (02/26/03)
First it must be disclosed at the outset that Robbie Byrne is a writer on all things Celtic for FolkWax. I don't know Mr. Byrne, other than reading his delightful work in this publication, and for all I know he may be a drunkard and a curmudgeon. There may also be reasons to dislike him. When the publisher assigned this review to me (obviously Mr. Byrne could not review his own work) I feared some vanity disc by a writer. I could not have been more mistaken. The Pebbled Shore, Byrne's first release with Shebeen, is a brilliant work by a master musician with just as able accompaniment. 
Like a tide on the titled shore, this album rolls in with the foggy, haunting title song. The instrumental atmosphere created by the musicians is a studio creation in the vein of early Pink Floyd (I'm not kidding!) that throbs until a lone whistle introduces the haunting voice of, I assume, Shebeen-co-founder, Graham Parker with Ali Rigg floating background harmonies. The tune then goes between a deep instrumental space and Parker's beautiful voice delivering more of Byrne's haunting lyrics until, just when you are cerebrally mellowed by the lyrics and the fog on the shore, there is an instantaneous burst of light and life in the form of the whistle's return with some cool electric guitar to introduce a medley of three reels for the last three minutes of this 11 minute Celtic opus. From this work is it obvious that there are many facets to this band.

The other founder of Shebeen is Jonathon Byrne (Robbie's son) and the second song, "Daydreamer," is his. He takes us to a much more Folk-based place as he sings while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.

Robbie comes back with his arrangements for Shebeen of the traditional 12/8-time jig "Ballintore Fancy" and "Foxchase." The first is in a pretty traditional mode with Byrne showing his obvious skill but with a disconcerting sudden end. The second is amazing. I have listened to it several times and it may be the best piping I have heard, if only because it takes the instrument to incredible places. When I say that the reference that I will use is the awesome squawk of Coleman Hawkins, I am not exaggerating. This is a truly masterful improvisation that truly tests the limits of the pipe and then rolls back into a beautiful traditional mode. Bully for you Mister Byrne and thank you for showing me what your instrument can be in the hands of a master. 

"The Parting Glass" is an old song of departure sung beautifully by Parker which then rolls almost too abruptly into another nice jig, "Out on the Ocean," with some nice instrumental harmonies. 

The closing number, there are only six here, is another fine composition by Byrne. Entitled "A Tune for Steven," the credit tells that Byrne wrote this "in memory of Steven "Fozzy" Foster." I fear gushing again, but it is easy to tell from Byrne's delivery that his was a close friend and it shows in his heartfelt, emotional performance. 

This CD is great mix of traditional and modern Celtic and Folk sounds. The performances are often masterful, particularly the elder Byrne and Graham Parker. I understand that their second release is one its way and I eagerly await it. I guess I was wrong, I have met Robbie Byrne, and I like him.

Jason Wesley is a founding editor at FolkWax.
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I also live close to the sea (but in the south of UK) and understand the emotional concepts that Robbie has created in the Pebbled Shore. His music jumps out at you, both the original slow airs and the faster jigs and reels. I would have purchased this cd from cdbaby but I have already bought it from Robbie's website. Either way, it is a beautiful and very emotionally moving album. Money very well spent.
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