Patrick Street
On the Fly
(Loftus)
With a lineup sporting Kevin Burke, Jackie Daly, Ged Foley and Andy Irvine, Patrick Street meets all the criteria for the label “Celtic supergroup.” None of them needs to prove his chops, which is perhaps why some of their previous work felt more like a session than a performance. Daly has left the group, but newest member John Carthy (second fiddle, flute, banjo) infuses new energy into Patrick Street that makes On the Fly one of the band’s most enjoyable releases. Sets such as “The Little Fair Caravans” crackle, and Irvine vocal turns such as “Erin Go Bragh” and the outlaw revenge fantasy “Sergeant Small” ooze with whimsy. Burke’s masterful fiddling and Foley’s muscular guitar work simply get better with age. Patrick Street plays Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls Nov. 17.
—Rob Weir
Old Time Relijun
Catharsis in Crisis
(K)
There’s a song on Catharsis in Crisis that had me asking if singer Arrington De Dionyso is shrieking in another language or barking straight gibberish. Either seems possible on this release by the West Coast band—the CD is a mish-mash of synthesizers, coughing vocals, pulsing guitars and tribal-like yodeling. The band’s name is taken from a Captain Beefheart song. The band calls their CD “terrible background music,” and they’re right, but if you take the time to listen to each track (best done in intervals), the record is never boring, and definitely challenging. That’s a good thing, I think, if you have the time.
—Brianna Snyder
Karen Mal
The Space Between
(Waterbug)
Austin-based singer-songwriter Karen Mal has a pretty voice, writes gentle songs, and fronts an impressive array of sidemen. Her country-tinged follow-up to her highly praised, Celtic-influenced Dark-Eyed Sailor has all the elements of a good album, but I kept waiting for a track to stand out. None did. The Space Between drifted over me like a light spring breeze. Unfortunately, it’s late autumn and this album has neither an attention-grabbing nip nor an unexpected warm diversion.
—Rob Weir
Various Artists
Bokoor Beats
(Otrabanda)
Did you have plans for celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence? No? Well, this sampler of Ghanaian electric highlife and Afro-rock is nonetheless a good way to commemorate the West African country’s rich musical heritage. Most of these tracks were recorded in the ‘70s by musicologist and performer John Collins. Ghana’s musicians clearly took inspiration from James Brown and Jimi Hendrix, but one can also hear proof that Nigeria’s Fela wasn’t the only African artist making funk that mixed politics, traditional rhythms and local proverbs.
—John Adamian
