Red Shamrock has, from what I can tell, changed quite a bit since it released As Hot as Irish... in 2003.

Still cracking two decades after its formation, the Swiss Celtic band has changed its lineup and format somewhat in the intervening years. (I've seen them referred to online as Celtic metal, but haven't found evidence to support that designation, although they've certainly developed a harder edge to their sound.) However, only two of the original five members -- Robert Kreimel on lead vocals, guitar and whistles, and Sevan Kirder on flute, whistles and vocals -- remain. At the time of this recording, the rest of the band was Rafi Kirder on double bass, electric bass, bouzouki, mandola, tenor banjo and vocals, Tamara Schneider on accordion, flugelhorn, whistles, percussion and vocals, and Mike Gorsatt on bodhran, guitar, bouzouki and vocals.

If you were paying attention just now, you might have noticed something that's not usually found in a Celtic music review: flugelhorn. And that makes all the difference.

Red Shamrock is a perfectly competent band. Their arrangements and musicality are ... fine. I'm not terribly fond of the vocals, preferring their instrumental tracks, but otherwise nothing stands out -- nothing that makes me either love or dislike the band.

Except the flugelhorn. When Schneider adds that to the mix -- and rest assured, she doesn't abuse it; it's used sparingly throughout -- I sit up and pay attention. Never intrusive, it adds some interest to the sound that hooks the listener more than anything else on the album.

It makes me curious what they've done since.

[ visit Red Shamrock online ]