Herding Cats

Herding Cats

Following their gig as steerage band in mega-blockbuster <i>The Titanic</i>, their acclaimed self-titled debut disc, and a continuous tour throughout North America, the U.K., Japan, and France, Gaelic Storm offer up the enticing reels, boisterous jigs, and sweet melodies of <i>Herding Cats</i>. Beginning with the rousing "Drink the Night Away," the quintet marries fiddle, guitar, accordion, harmonica, and <i>bodhran</i> with the African <i>djembe</i>, the group's signature vocals, and a spirit of merriment. Previously a favored pub band in Santa Monica, California, the ensemble, whose members hail from places as diverse as Ireland, Zambia, England, and the U.S., manages to preserve the intimacy of a small show while infusing the recording with robust zeal and exceptional musicianship. "O-Mahonny's" stars a flamenco-jazz-flavored guitar and accordion intro, while "Hewlett's Set," "Western Lilt," and "Titanic Set" cajole the listener to frolic on the dance floor and "She Was the Prize" evokes starry-eyed romance. <I>--Paige La Grone</I>