There is a great ballad tradition in Irish music that threatens to be lost in the current onslaught of Celtic rock bands. Thankfully we have The Makem Brothers, sons of ballad icon, Tommy Makem, who are joined by The Spain Brothers, their New Hampshire neighbors, to preserve this tradition. The selection of fourteen songs to which they stake their own claim includes: Highland Paddy, Mingulay Boat Song, New South Wales, Goodbye to the 30 Foot Trailer, Road to Gundayai and Jolly Wagoneer. The Spains contribute two original songs, Whiskey Row and Calling Me Home. The highlight of the concert is Connor Makem’s When We Danced in Donegal. Set to a waltz tempo the song recalls a time long ago “when the roads were driven slow” and romance began at old time dance halls. The song’s tempo perfectly matches its lyrics and after hearing it you feel the ballad tradition is in good hands.

RB 2005 CD $16