LENAHAN: Brand New Bag!

Lenahan

Brand New Bag!

© 2002 Lenahan (706113021924)

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Award-winning Celtic rock, featuring blistering bagpipes and fiery fiddling from New York City based top Celtic group.

tracks

1 The Piper's Got a Brand New Bag Pt. 1
2 Marie
3 Guinness as Usual
4 No Go
5 Haven Green
6 Islands in the Storm
7 Bernoulli's Feet
8 Nothin'
9 Rebel Song
10 Phukktifano
11 Candle & The Flame
12 One for Davy
13 New York Lullaby

notes

New York City based Celtic Rock trailblazers Lenahan, widely acclaimed as "one of the world's top Celtic rock bands" (Washington Post), released their fourth album on March 17, 2002. Internationally known for their creative fusions of traditional Celtic music with American blues, rock, jazz, and even reggae along with World music influences, the four members of the band are expanding the boundaries of Celtic music yet again. The new CD, Brand New Bag!, incorporates funk, country, along with ska and reggae influences, in addition to Lenahan's signature blazing bagpipes and fiery fiddling.

Bandleader and five-time ASCAP award-winning songwriter Tom Lenahan has contributed nine original songs, ranging from the ska rave up "Marie," about a man in love with a girl who only wants to date stepdancers, to the title tune, "The Piper's Got a Brand New Bag," a manifesto about a musician who's finally found his own voice. The Pogues-ish "Rebel Song" is a satirical look at some people who have their own vested interests in Ireland's political problems, while the country "Guinness as Usual" makes the listener want to jump up and line dance. Also included is one of the band's most popular songs, "Islands in the Storm," a reggae bagpipe workout that examines the similarities between two former English colonies.

Fiddler and guitarist Clarence Ferrari composed the reels called "Bernoulli's Feet," which highlight his world music interests and have a saxophone section derived from the avant garde Ethiopian musical scene of the 1970's, while Tom Lenahan composed a lilting instrumental piece for Celtic harp and War pipes with string quartet called "Haven Green," on tour in Europe, and movingly re-wrote his "New York Lullaby" as a tribute to the people of New York City after the events of September 11.

Drummer Ryan Cavan and bassists Jim Nordstrom and Brendan O'Grady contribute the rhythm section's exceptional tightness. Musical guests include award winning Celtic harpist Debbie Brewin-Wilson, Justin Murphy of The Poor Clares on Irish flute and tin whistle, and some of New York City's hottest jazz musicians including saxophonist Michael Hashim and trombone player Brad Shigeta, a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Champion Irish stepdancer Emily Endean joins the band on "Marie."

Lenahan has given birth to an exhilarating new album - upbeat and cutting edge, with the band's musical virtuosity and exuberance shining through. Since their last album, "Hooligans in Suits," Lenahan has sold out concerts at The Kennedy Center and has toured throughout North America and Europe. This constant touring, along with Tom Lenahan & Clarence Ferrari's broad musical tastes, has given the band an exciting edge, distinguishing them from many other Celtic groups. "A powerful and meaningful blend of cultures and continents," Brand New Bag! is already being heralded as an important new release.

reviews

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  • simply great!
    author: Stefan Knipp

    I searched for celtic-rock in web, and i found "Lenahan". Great music, with a different and interest sound. Waiting for a new CD. Stefan, Germany

  • Lenahan excells
    author: Jamie O'Brien, The Irish Edition

    What a way to open an album: Celto-funk-rap. Lenahan excells with a brilliantly conceived variation on James Brown meets the High Reel - a wonderful marriage of an arrangement. And that's just the start. Stand by for straight up rock, a touch of ska, and a lot more as Tom Lenahan (various instruments), Clarence Ferrari (guitar, fiddle), Ryan Cavan (drums) and Jim Nordstrom and Brendan O'Grady (bass), along with a handful of guests, once again refuse to be catagorized, and drawing on influences and styles from all over, stamp them with their own distinctive print and then defy you to just sit there. Impossible. There's an energy here that's catching. From rap to reggae to down-home country, I'm never sure how much of the music is tongue in cheek and how much is a statement. "Islands in the Storm" and the re-working of "New York Lullabye" set out successfully to make a point. But the honky-tonking "Guinness as Usual" and "Marie", with its step dance accompaniment, certainly raise a smile. But more than that. The band shows an incredible sensitivity to melody and acoustic sounds, especially on a track like "Haven Green" as they join forces with harpist Debbie Brewin-Wilson and Justin Murphy (flute and whistle). Lenahan set out to make another fine album, their fourth to date. Its worked!

  • good but not great
    author: saxon squire

    not as good as "holligans in suits live", but still another great album. you can't go wrong with a lenahan album or show

  • Great Artistry and Diversity Reign on Lenahan's New CD
    author: J. Gagnon, Celtic Beat

    Lenahan’s new CD Brand New Bag! is his finest and most diverse yet. Musical influence from a wide variety of genres such as Blues, Celtic, Reggae and more are masterfully arranged in this CD where tunes which range from fierce instrumentals to expressive vocals…and then there’s the piping. Indeed, Tom Lenahan has got to be the most creative piper ever!...Check out the exotic pieces such as “Marie” (where Lenahan also does vocals Jamaican style) and a grand tune called “Bernoulli’s Feet” fastpaced and really rockin’ as it progresses. His piping really shines on “Phukktifano” and on the title cut “The Piper’s Got a Brand New Bag.” Country and Western come in on “Guinness as Usual,”...and the emotions run high on “Haven Green,” one of the most beautiful pieces on the CD with pipes and harp playing a gorgeous melody that will surely move your heart. And on the other side of town, there’s the tough guy song, “Nothin” where Lenahan’s connection to Blues is evident. Yes, great artistry and diversity reign here.

  • Rock & Reel with the World's Greatest Celtic Rock Band!
    author: Dawne Strickland, Queen Of The Lenaheads

    Whether you're a first time listener or a die-hard Lenafan like me, this CD will blow you away. If you like bagpipes, you'll LOVE this band. From the title track to Marie to Islands in the Storm, you'll notice that this band uses bagpipes in ways you never thought possible. The next thing you'll notice is that the lyrics are extremely clever (Guinness, Rebel Song), and really quite funny (Brand New Bag, Marie, Nothin'). Just when you thought the CD was full of wild pipes & funny lyrics, you'll hear the soft, sadly sweet Haven Green and the acoustic somber anthem, NY Lullaby. These songs tell a story, and sometimes send a message (Islands in the Storm, Rebel Song). And when you just don't feel like singing along (AS IF!!), they threw in the kick-ass rockin' tune, "One for Davey." Get in your car, get on the highway, and CRANK IT UP!!!

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