I found Celtic Clan while wandering the streets of Boston. There are lots of Irish pubs in that fine city and, on any given night, there are plenty of musical options to choose from. Fortune directed my feet to the Black Rose, where this exciting foursome was holding court over a packed and enthusiastic house. These guys are good -- and that's an understatement.

The next day, I slipped the band's CD The Big Jig into the stereo and waited to be impressed. And, while the recording doesn't touch the energy of their live show, it's a good package all the same.

Celtic Clan is a trio on the disc -- Dublin natives Frank Ryan on vocals, guitar and percussion and Hughie Purcell on vocals, bass, guitar and banjo, and Cape Cod native Billy Hardy on fiddles. A few guests add a smattering of extras, too.

The album begins with a medley of familiar songs: "The Mermaid," "Whiskey in the Jar" and "The Irish Rover." It's followed by a jamming instrumental set of slip jigs. Ryan slips in with an original song, "See the Hand That Holds the Gun," before veering into silliness with "Biddy McGrath."

There are some slow songs on the album -- a surprising contrast to the Black Rose show I saw. (Ironically, several tracks were recorded live at that very pub.) But it's mostly a powerful punch of energy, right up to a jammin' fiddle blitz on the decidedly non-Celtic "Orange Blossom Special."

If you're lucky, you'll stumble onto Celtic Clan yourself someday. 'Til then, The Big Jig will give you a good taste.

[ by Tom Knapp ]
Rambles: 11 May 2002