Don't let the peculiar title of the group or its first CD put you off. When Pigs Fly is a band of merry musicians dedicated to the fine art of having fun while making music.

Composed of seven members, each of whom sings and plays at least two instruments, the group began as a weekly jam session between friends. Then a phone call from a coffeehouse manager during one of their practices netted them a gig. "The manager overheard us on the phone and said, 'I want THAT band!'" recalls Bea Romano, one of the group's two hammered dulcimer players. "We were taken totally by surprise," says Marianne Scanlon, who received the call. "We didn't even have a name yet!"

While we're on the subject of names, it's probably best to clear up the mystery of When Pigs Fly. As Mike Catlett, the group's banjo and mandolin player, tells it, the group had gathered to figure out a name for themselves and discuss the finer point of performance such as lighting, sound equipment and costumes. "One of the women suggested that since we play so many Celtic songs, the men should dress in kilts." Mike, who exudes a rugged, down-home, country-boy patina, nixed that idea immediately. "The day I wear a skirt will be when pigs fly!" he declared. And so the name was born.

When Pigs Fly bills itself as a "traditional Celtic and Americana band," an admittedly broad and imprecise definition. In the Celtic arena they play O'Carolan tunes, sweet aires, hornpipes, reels and waltzes. In the realm of Americana, they've tackled everything from bluegrass and gospel to rags and country-western. "Saying we play 'Americana' allows us great freedom in tune selections," says Romano.

That said, it would probably be more accurate to describe the group as a dulcimer band, since the members do all their own arrangements so that dulcimers can be included, and there are usually at least two hammered dulcimers hard at work in each piece. However, the inclusion of a wide range of instruments, including a concertina, Middle Eastern and Irish drums, a bowed psaltry, accordion, bass, mandolin, banjo, pennywhistle and mouth harp, makes the music mix unique. Some of the most memorable from this collection include "Road to Lisdoonvarna," a lively Irish jig that will raise your spirits and have your toes tapping; "Soldier's Joy," a piece that includes three hammered dulcimers and really gives you an idea of what the instrument is capable of; "Over the Waterfall," a gossipy old English folk song that relates the story of "a woman in our town who loved her husband dearly, but loved another twice as well" with loads of fun; and "Black Mountain Rag," featuring solos by three of the members that will make you want to get up and dance.

When Pigs Fly also has a reputation for being a band that knows how to draw in its audience. At a typical concert, the musicians hand out a variety of percussion instruments and encourage listeners to beat, snap, clap, stomp and otherwise keep time. Pig jokes also abound, with predictably corny results. For example:

Q: What do you call a pig that can't fly?
A: A groundhog, of course.

Q: What kind of vehicles do pigs drive?
A: Pig up trucks.

Q: Where do pigs park their trucks?
A: On Pork Avenue.

You get the picture.

If When Pigs Fly has a fault it's that the singing abilities of its members are not quite up to the high standards set by their playing. Limited ranges, indecipherable words and uneven balances between voices plague the vocals, but do not detract from the overall sense of fun. Pigatude is a welcome addition to the Celtic/Americana mix and can be enjoyed by humans and porkers alike. Oink.

- Rambles
written by by Jena Ball
published 20 September 2003