I recently stumbled upon this band and their latest cd.  And what a fortuitous stumble it was!  From what I understand, Greenhouse has been around for something in the realm of two decades, making their own brand of avant-traditional Celtic music.  This cd is without question one of the happiest musical purchases I have made in some time.  I can’t stop listening.

The musicianship is consistently solid and often inspired.  If you like fiddling, you’ll find a lot of it here, and it is fine and fun fiddling at that. Percussion is creative and bass lines are big and compelling.  The vocals are wonderful—from Patricia Casey’s liquid solos to rich harmonies.

There is music to dance to, music to cry over, and at least one song wry enough to laugh with.  Each track has earned its place on this cd; there are no throw-aways.  There is a nice mix of songs and instrumental tunes, as you might expect to find on a recording of modern Celtic music.  Contemporary work alternates with more traditional tunes.  The lone original piece, written by band founder Michael Rothkar, is both thought-provoking and a sweet listen. 

If you like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, or Pentangle, you’ll like Greenhouse.  If you’ve never heard of those bands, but have a taste for the folk music from the British Isles, check this group out.  “Dreams and High Hopes” is well-conceived, beautifully executed and a real pleasure to listen to.
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