Search - Schooner Fare :: Finnegan's Wake

Awesome!

Jason | Baltimore, MD | 12/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw these guys in concert like ten years ago when I was just a young boy, and then I never heard about them for a while, but I never forgot about them. I always liked their relatively simple approach to the songs they sung. Vocals, guitars, and the occasional pennywhistle do the trick for this magnificent trio. I was ecstatic when I recently found this recording at an old seaport in new england, and although this CD is slightly different than I remember, I still love it. The only thing that I miss on this CD is Tom's magnificent pennywhistling, but I guess you cant have everything. It features primarily what would be considered sea songs and Irish tunes, which considering the name of the group, makes sense. I love their version of "Drunken Sailor" because they add some very modern verses. For example, "lock him in a room with disco music," or "make him captain of an exxon tanker." You can't help but laugh. I also love their rendition of "Wild Rover," a classic Irish pub song. If you don't know this song, you're not Irish, but I love that the track lasts for like 4 minutes. Most versions of the song that I have only last for half of that time. My other major favorites on the CD are "Jock Stewart" and "Cockles and Mussles," but that may be just because those are pretty popular. I could go on and on about each track, but just take my word for it, and buy this CD. You won't be disappointed."

For the Record

Jason | 03/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Long-times fans know that Schooner Fare spent the first 10 of their 26 years together singing in Irish pubs in Halifax,Portland, Boston, NYC, Wash. D.C., Chicago, and Milwaukee. The "Finnegan's Wake" album is a throwback to those days. "The Nightingale" is a traditional song SF learned from the Clancys and Tommy Makem, as Stan Rogers and James taylor no doubt did too. Steve Romanoff's songs on SF's other albums have been recorded by Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, Barleycorn, Foster & Allen, and many other Irish musicians..... making them "Irish songs." The folk-process is a fascinating thing."

Irish Schooners

Jason | 07/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Schooner Fare is best known for songs about the water, similar to those of Stan Rogers. "The Nightingale" on this album is a cover of a Rogers' song. So this collection featuring well-known Irish tunes is a bit of a departure from their usual fare. For those not familar with Schooner Fare, their harmonies are reminiscent of the Kingston Trio or Limelighters. These guys sing well. One is used to hearing such Irish standards as "The Patriot Game", "The Wild Colonial Boy", etc. sung with an Irish brogue, but the emotion in the voices and strength of the harmonies more than make up for the missing accent. If you like either Irish music or sea shanties sung with emotion, harmony and vibrato you'll love this CD."