Fans of Celtic music are often searching for the ultimate Celtic album, and I'm no exception. Well, I've got one to add to the list; Donnybrook's The Stool of Repentance.

So, what makes for an ultimate Celtic album, anyway? Well, it would have to be the right blending of toe-tapping and melodic tunes, matched, of course, with superb voice and instruments. Donnybrook has all these, right here in one convenient disc.

The album gets off to a great start with "The Humors of Castle Finn/The Brae Reel/The Flogging Reel," offering a nice bit of tradition to get the whole thing started, and them moves right into "Green Grows the Laurel," a 19th-century love song (reportedly sung by the Irish soldiers of the Mexican-American War).

And, of course, what Celtic album would be complete without the pipes? Offered for your enjoyment is the medley "The Dark Isle/Old Hag at the Church/The Pumpkin's Fancy." There are, also, many other great tunes to be had here, such as "Goodbye Mick," a fun-paced song of Irish immigration to America during the famine. Or "The Transit Van," a song about a broke man and his adventures in unemployment in his little transit van. Or the hauntingly odd "Galway to Graceland," the story of an Irish woman who just can't come to grips with the passing of the King -- Elvis, that is.

The band is Davey Arwine on tenor banjo, mandolin and vocals, Liz Arwine on lead and harmony vocals, Andy Young on flute, whistle, vocals, guitar and dulcimer, Jonathan Whitall on piano and fiddle, and Jeff Morello on bodhran, harmonica and Jew's harp. Guests are Jim Dewan on guitar and bouzouki, Declan Fahey on button accordion and Mike Dietz on highland pipes.

Through wonderful instrumentation and beautiful voice, Donnybrook's Stool of Repentance gives your ear a wonderful trip down 13 tracks of pure enjoyment, arranged just right to take you back and forth through many moods. This is a must for any lover of good Celtic music.

- Rambles
written by Charlie Gebetsberger
published 10 May 2003