Sometimes we find ourselves drawn to a genre of music that we cannot seem to get enough of. Irish folk music has this effect on me. It has the ability to convey the emotions and movements of a chaotic Irish pub through instruments as well as through often comedic stories to match the melodies, ultimately producing what many young Americans would view as an accurate Irish pub experience. Irish folk music also includes songs reminiscent of the more quiet and calm feeling of a quiet cottage near a beach. The fact that this genre can manage both through the speakers of an ordinary computer in an otherwise quiet room is a powerful quality. I love being able to feel as if I am enjoying some great excitement or calm serenity even while I am actually engaged in far less enjoyable homework. One of my favorite finds in this genre is called Gaelic Storm.
Gaelic Storm is a Celtic band formed in 1996 with current front man and only currently actual Irish member of the band, Patrick Murphy (accordion, spoons, harmonica, lead vocals). Over the years the cast of the band has changed around Murphy; it is now staffed by Murphy, Steve Twigger (guitar, lead vocals), Ryan Lacey (drums, various percussion), Pete Purvis (highland pipes, Uilleann pipes, Irish whistle, bass, tambourine) and Kiana Weber (fiddle, vocals, mandolin). Though their music starts from a Celtic base, the group tries to incorporate different music styles into their pieces to remain relevant in the ever-changing popular music scene.
You may have heard the band’s music before though, you may not have realized it was them at the time. Gaelic Storm performed as the ship’s steerage band throughout the scene “An Irish Party in Third Class” for the 1997 film Titanic. You can see a few of the band members of that time and hear the band’s music throughout the scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U50hqJS2ock
Loud, rowdy and exciting, Gaelic Storm’s music practically calls for movement to mirror the excitement of the sound they produce. One of their songs that exemplifies this quality is “Johnny Jump Up” on their 2003 album “Special Reserve.”
Another similarly entertaining song of theirs is “Nancy Whiskey,” also from the album “Special Reserve.”
Gaelic Storm recently released their 12th album, titled “Matching Sweaters” which is full of similar music. Anyone interested in Irish folk music, Celtic music or funny drinking songs should definitely give it a look; everyone else should too, if only for the ability to truthfully say, “I don’t like Gaelic Storm.” Though it’s doubtful that would be the case, because Gaelic Storm is among the best out there.