Category: Jam Session
Ok, for about ten or eleven years I've been a huge fan of Irish folk music thanks in large part to my brother. He introduced me to bands like The Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers and The Pogues. From there I progressed to groups like Flogging Molly and The Irish Rovers. Recently I discovered a new group called The High Kings, one of whom is the son of one of the Clancy Brothers, the last surviving of whom passed away from I believe lung cancer this last December. But I'm curious if anyone else on here has heard of or even is a fan of the High Kings. Their producer I believe is the same guy who produced Celtic Woman, but these guys are geared more towards traditional songs. All I can say is I've liked everything I've heard from them, both teir self-titled debut album and their most recent effort, Memory Lane. True the latter can currently only be imported from Ireland (at least as far as the US goes), but it only cost me about 25 bucks including shipping to get my copy from Amazon. And then I found out it's apparently scheduled for an official US release next year. So I'm curious what anyone else thinks of these four guys and their music.
I've heard of them, but not actually heard them. I love irish folk in general, the dublinners got on my nerves a bit and am slightly more english folk oriented, but I like the traditional irish stuff, so i'll be checking them out. p.s flogging molly are awsome
Ah yes. I can understand why the Dubliners would get on your nerves. Ronnie Drew's voice is extremely grating. Not to say he was a bad singer because in fact he wasn't, his voice just didn't sit right with me. As for the High Kings, I personally think they're one of the better Irish folk outfits I've heard. THey bring their own unique style to familiar tunes but somehow still manage to make it work. And the harmonies these four guys make when they sing together are enough to give me chills. Take a listen to their version of The Parting Glass and you'll probably hear what I mean. About the only song of theirs I really skip is their version of Boulavogue. THe best version I've ever heard was the Clancies with Paddy singing it solo. It's a very solemn war song and thhe Kings don't quite do it justice. Now their version of Green Fields of France is another story entirely. But it's bands like this that make me want to get my hands on a banjo and a set of Uilleann Pipes.
I've got to listen to these guys now lol thanks for the tip off. Listening to the horton weavers at the moment.
Well you can hear the High Kings on YouTube if you're curious. THen if you like them their albums are available from Amazon. About the only thing I don't like is that so far they don't feature any Uilleann Pipes yet LOL.
I have only really come across the high kings in the past 5 months. I was doing a search for The Voice Squad and found their version of the parting glass. My brother is now learning it I think on guitar. Voice Squad are good too. they do a nice version of the parting glass and a nice wee christmas song called the holly she bares a berry.
Hmmm, voice squad. I'll have to look them up. I'm always looking for new Irish and indeed Scottish folk bands. Lately I've also gotten into The Corries. But I love the High Kings' version of The Parting Glass. It's probably the best I've ever heard.
More an english folky myself, but i'll be checking voice squad out as soon as I can, too.