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Darby O'Gill is a high-flying stage band with an Irish surprise around every corner, even if the music is not terribly "traditional." This rollicking band consists of Scott Messer (guitar, vocals, bodhran), Kenn Clulow (bass, vocals), and Ken Andresen (accordion, vocals). Their emphasis is fun, not fidelity. Oh, there are authentic Irish pieces, it's true, but Irish Christmas Rollick keeps its eye on the bigger picture--holiday entertainment that cuts across all cultures.

The ample liner notes here are indispensable. The lyrics here are fascinating and dense, and (on at least two occasions) lapse into an Irish brogue that would be difficult to fathom without the written words. All the essential information is presented in fine form for the listener to follow.

Irish Christmas Rollick opens with a rousing "Christmas Comes but Once a Year," which embodies what a Christmas rollick is all about: good food and good company! The next tune "Ha'e Yersel' a Canty Wee-Bit Christmas" is just "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" doused heavily in Irish spirits--it's terribly charming, sending all your "tribles" out of sight. The album takes an exciting turn with the traditional spiritual "Children, Go Where I Send Thee," which has a dramatic rock 'n roll treatment, including a driving bass foundation. Bagpipes blaze on the unusual treatment of "Carol of the Bells" and set the mood for "Auld Lang Syne." Very cool!

The 14 tracks contain the traditional and the unexpected. For example, who would expect a traditional Irish stage band to feature "Zat You Santa Claus" or prison tunes ("Christmas in Prison" and "Christmas in Jail") or Leonard Cohen? Still, the pieces of this fascinating puzzle fit together oh-so-nicely, making for a heartwarming and deeply satisfying package.

Irish Christmas Rollick takes two breaks for storytelling. Midway through the album (track #5), Darby O'Gill presents "A Christmas Story," a lovely narrative about a jaded young boy who did not believe in Santa. He waited up late with a video camera fixed at the fireplace, hoping to disprove the Santa phenomenon once and for all. What happens? That's for you to find out. The other story is "Just Before Christmas" (track #10); it tells the tale of young William, who is as good as he can be when Christmas is on the horizon.

My favorite song on the album? It's Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which I suppose is not really a Christmas tune at all. It is, however, a most amazing composition, and it is about faith on its own terms. Darby O'Gill's rendition is riveting.

Hand 'round the whiskey in tumblers, and drink to Darby O'Gill. It may be time for your very own Irish Christmas Rollick this holiday season!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Scott Messer: guitar, bodhran, vocals
Ken Andresen: accordion, vocals
Kenn Clulow: bass, vocals
Art Kohnke: mandolin, electric guitar, National tenor resonator, vocals
Skip VonKuske: cello, upright bass, guitar, vocals
Brent Rogers: guitar, vocals
Geoff Frasier: bagpipes
Susan Nelsen: vocal (Hallelujah)

All songs arranged by Darby O'Gill

From the Web site:

Darby O'Gill's Irish Christmas Rollick is Darby's first Christmas album Keeping with the spirit of Christmas, Darby has put together a nice mix of traditional pieces with an interesting take on a couple of old familiars.

Darby O'Gill is a high-energy stage-show band that uses fine music and cutting humor in a singularly Irish style, and is equally at home in an intimate pub setting as on a concert stage. Their music is ancient and modern, from a 14th century Madrigal to Pink Floyd. Many of them are original, award-winning pieces. The majority are traditional Irish/Scottish songs. But the single most important thing to be said about their music is that in none of it is there ever to be found any hint or reference to squirrels.

Scott Messer (guitar, vocals, bodhran) - Lead singer and front man, Scott is the heart of the band. An award winning songwriter with imaginative interpretive skills, Scott is a master at reading and drawing out an audience. Over the last ten years, he has been the guiding passion behind Innocent Mischief, 'Tis Themselves and Darby O'Gill as well as making a name for himself as a solo act.

Kenn Clulow (bass, vocals, flute, soundman) - Kenn, besides being an ordained minister in The Church of Apathy, has been singing and playing various instruments since he was a child.

Ken Andresen (Accordion, Bodhran, Keyboards, vocals) - Ken (Kendo) has been playing many different musical instruments since the age of 10. He met Scott in 1993 at the infamous "Harp & Shamrock" pub and started as a stand-up comic performing during Scott's breaks. In 1994 as "Scott Messer and Friends" began to accumulate other musicians, Ken purchased an accordion and a Bodhran, and with tutelage from Scott on the Bodhran, and sitting in the audience self-teaching on the accordion, Ken eventually got up on stage and soon after "Darby O'Gill" was born. Since then Ken has played with many bands including Finvarre, Peter Yeates, and Rudy "Tuttie" Grazell. Ken also writes songs, novels, Screenplays and has introduced Scott to a great "Hair Replacement" program.

Darby O'Gill

Irish Christmas Rollick

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Track List