CULANN'S HOUNDS: Year of the Dog

Culann's Hounds

Year of the Dog

© 2006 Culann's Hounds (676941776627)

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Acoustic Wall of Sound. High energy instrumentals, and beautiful textured songs. Fiddle, Guitar, Accordion, Bass, Drums, Vocals.

notes

The Irish Herald/The New Irish Gael
May 2006
Barking Up The Right Tree
by Liam Cassin

Culann’s Hounds’ second album, Year of the Dog, was greeted with unbridled euphoria by the band’s substantial fan base when it was released at the St Patrick’s Day Hooley they headlined at the Great American Music Hall. The Hounds have been growing in stature on the San Francisco music scene for six years now and their unique fusion of “core values” Irish trad and high energy - almost punk - rock, has brought them within striking distance of a national breakthrough. The list of Celtic music greats for whom they have opened could not be more impressive: Paddy Keenan, Martin Hayes, Liam Clancy, Lunasa, Tommy Peoples, The Boys of the Lough, Solas, Susan McKeown, Josephine Marsh, Gary Shannon, Andrew MacNamara, Tempest and Seven Nations.
Indeed, some of the tracks on Year of the Dog are collaborations with Chanting House vocalist McKeown and East Clare accordion maestro MacNamara. Also freatured are New Monsoon’s Ben Bernstein who plays bass throughout, Blue’s Traveler’s singer and harmonica player John Popper, Dierdre Corrigan on flute and Hounds alumnus Conall O’Raghallaigh, surely on of the better pipers in North America today.
The Hounds, seen live, are something to behold. Raucous, rollicking performances and a stage presence that exudes raw energy and fun are trademarks of this quartet. Year of the Dog faithfully captures this essence. It also offers striking virtuoso performances from all the band members. Steve Gardner is a giant on the fiddle and his viola and mandolin skills are also showcased here. Mike Kelleher seems to keep everything moving forwards with powerhouse work on acoustic guitar. Both lads also get a chance to air their vocal chords. Kelleher gives a very sincere rendition on The Foggy Dew, timely given that this is the ninetieth anniversary of the Easter Rising. Gardner excels on the Pogues anthem Dirty Old Town and the more traditionally rooted Wild Mountain Thyme. The latter, after a steady start, develops into a whirlwind of delicious harmony, not surprising  really when you know Susan McKeown is involved. It’s really hard not to be overcome with an abiding sense of glee when you listen to this. The lineup is completed by Renee de la Prade who brings another highly pleasing melody dimension with her button accordion and Scott Marshall, whose work on the Bodhrán is nothing short of masterful.
All in all a commendable sophomore effort.

reviews

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  • Year of the Dog
    author: Maura Hogan

    I can't say enough of how absolutely fun this band is. I have them in my car and listen as much as I can. Rollicking fun doesn't even come close to adequate. And in person, they are even better. Their energy on stage is awsome.

  • An incredible album and worthy follow up
    author: Fishmonger

    Year of the Dog is different from the Hounds first album. The style is more progressive than the traditional arrangements of the first. It's still traditional music, it's just played with a bit more creative liberties. AWESOME! Best traditional Irish band in America.

  • THE BEST TRAD BAND ON THE WEST COAST.
    author: Scott Russell

    This CD is absolutely fantastic. The Hounds once again prove that they are the best trad band on the West Coast. And guest appearances by John Popper and Susan McKeown add a layer of depth that speaks of their recognition of Culann's Hounds as a real force to be reckoned with. Year of the Dog will not disappoint...guaranteed.

  • Not just for St. Patrick's Day anymore! Awesome!
    author: Joy
  • Great contemporary take on a traditional style!!
    author: Carmen

    This was the first disc I've purchased by Culann's Hounds - and it is awesome! I love their style and instrumentation. I've had it playing in my car CD player for two straight weeks. I love it!

  • Best Celtic music.....period.
    author: Eric

    This is some of the best celtic music I have ever heard. They cover a range of styles on this album, from regular trad. instrumental to more contemporary irish songs, and there is even a bagpipe song on it! These guys are awesome, and if you liked their first cd, this one is even better. 'Foggy Dew' is well worth the entire cd by itself. Go to sfhounds.com to check them out.

  • Animated !
    author: Laura T Lynch of Kweevak.com

    Culann was an epic Irish warrior and Culann's Hounds embodies the bold energy of this legendary figure. The band loves hero and faerie tales, which subtly weaves their way into their original blend of modern and traditional Irish music. The core of the pack is Steve Gardner (fiddle, guitar, mandolin and vocals), Mike Kelleher (guitar and vocals), Renee de la Prade (button accordion and vocals) and Scott Marshall (bodhran and vocals). Notable guests on their twelve-track CD include John Popper of Blues Traveler. The majority of the songs are animated instrumentals with some earth vocals to tell the tales. The stories are organic and spirited. Arrangements are broad ranging from haunting to more rock inclined tunes. Each song has something unique to offer but I particularly liked the lively 'Twin Peaks', the dynamic 'The Skylark' and a traditional 'The Tennessee Waltz'. Culann's Hounds is writing their own epic with music that respects the past but is also new and novel. 2006 may just be the year of the Hounds!

  • Good stuff
    author: Dave P

    I appreciate the fact that the Hounds treat the tunes as musicians, by doing their own arrangements.

  • Even better than the first!
    author: Leslie DeVee

    We thought the first CD was absolutely awesome, then came this one...we only hope they will continue to record and share their clear, sweet notes of pure Irish music with us all. We hope they never leave the SF area, that would be devestating to all of us lovers of trad music.

  • Their music is exellent,I love them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    author: Meghan Molloy Jennings

    I love Culanns Hounds!Ever since I met them at the SF yaut club it had changed my way of looking at things.It changed my 10 year old life.For I'm a little girl writting this notice and I think yo should listen to Culann Hounds!!!!!!

  • Absolutely excellent
    author: Patty Goodman

    I wasn't sure how I would feel about this after loving the first CD that Culann's Hounds created and the change in the band members. But I am hooked! It is brilliant and I highly recommend it! Bravo, Hounds!

  • These Hounds will bite you in the ASS!
    author: Denny McCarthy

    Excellent work guys! The arrangements of the tunes on this cd are superb. They have stayed true to their roots in trad while creating their own unique sound. I can't imagine that there's better Traditional Irish music being played anywhere out on the left coast. As a musician who works in the Irish music scene in and around NYC I can honestly say that if these guys were around here I'd be out of work (or at least asking them for a job). Anyway, grab this cd...and while you're at it pick up their 1st album too. You will not be disappointed. In my opinion, this is a group that can hold their own against any of today's Trad-Irish heavyweights including: Solas, Danu and Dervish. Well done kids....well done, indeed. hope to see you our way again sometime. Peace.

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