Culann's Hounds is the debut album from this five-man San Francisco-Irish band, and a very promising entrance it is. A good mix of familiar tunes and songs, with some particularly tight and lively jigs and reels, talented playing and good singing -- what more do you want? Kevin McDonough on flute and whistle, Conall O'Raghallaigh on uilleann pipes, Steve Gardner on fiddle, Michael Kelleher on guitar and Frank Jordan on bodhran and vocals form a cohesive musical ensemble with the innate strength of the legendary Cuchulainn.

"Lady's Fancy" is a foot-tapping tune if ever there was one, a joy to listen to and, although bodhran and fiddle predominate, each instrument can be heard. You have time to draw breath and refresh yourself after the wild reel as you settle to the soothing tune of "The Maids of Mitchelstown," which enjoys a soft introduction of flute and pipes, then moves into fiddle and guitar, and concludes with a good balance, although the quiet tune makes the pipes seem particularly strident. The subdued mood prevails with a rendition of "Spancil Hill," with Jordan's voice well-suited to the style. Another blend of jigs and another breather -- the ballad "Peggy Gordon," vocals accompanied by guitar. "The Fields of Athenry" continues in traditional mournful vein, and if it is still Jordon singing (there are no individual credits or lyrics printed), then his voice alters in pitch to accentuate the tragedy.

The pace quickens with another medley of jigs, getting underway with an unobtrusive introduction, the fiddle gradually joined by guitar and then flute so as not to break the mood too harshly, then it's sprightly into the next number and a lifting of both spirits and feet! They give a reasonable version of "The Black Velvet Band," always a rousing sing-along song, but I felt that they missed the opportunity to rally together and push during the choruses, given the power potential of the band. They end with another medley, appropriately incorporating "Farewell to Erin."

Musically, the band's strength is in the jigs and reels, but the slower vocal tracks provide a pleasant balance. Given the Irish tradition, it is not surprising that there is a preponderance of somewhat sorrowful songs -- a happy one would have been a bonus. Overall, Culann's Hounds is a good-going album, especially for a debut; it should result in mutual promotion between their live work and studio work and Culann's Hounds should run and run.

- Rambles
written by Jenny Ivor
published 29 March 2003

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