(Narada)
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, you might throwing a bash with green beer, shamrock decorations and the ever-popular \Kiss me, I'm Irish"" T-shirts. Your party will not be complete without authentic Irish jigs for outlandish dancing. A great place to find such music is on Altan's latest album, The Blue Idol.
While songs like ""Uncle Rat"" and ""An Cail??n Deas ??g"" may appear intimidating at first glance, after listening, you may find your foot tapping. From a band that has a reputation for merging the traditional with the modern, The Blue Idol is yet another chapter in Altan's innovative music history. The band makes traditional Celtic music both enjoyable and interesting. ""The Trip to Cullenstown"" and ""Mother's Delight"" are exciting jigs that would provide the perfect music for some rowdy St. Patty's Day revelry.
The album offers great variety, with several songs perfect for quieter gatherings. In ""The Sea-Apprentice Guide"" and ""The Pretty Young Girl,"" which features Dolly Parton, the enigmatic voice of Mairead Ni Mhaoneigh brings a meaningful expression to the lyrics. Mhaoneigh suggests visions of swirling winds over green hills with her smooth vocals.
Altan shows off their flair for merging modern sounds with the traditional in ""Cuach mo Lon Dubh Bu??"" by the addition of a saxophone that gives the song a decidedly jazz-like tone. The integration of these two musical styles creates a song that is one of the best on the album.
Even if you know nothing about Celtic music, it is easy to appreciate the style and energy that Altan brings to The Blue Idol. Whether you're looking for the perfect party music for an authentic Irish experience or you just want to try a new type of music, The Blue Idol is hard to listen to without wanting to get down with your bad Irish self.
