With St. Patrick's Day just a few weeks away and happening to fall during Spring Break, many students are already counting the days. St. Patrick's Day is not only a party day for college students; it is a religious holiday for some and a cultural celebration for others. Celtic music may not be the type of music regularly heard on a college campus, but that tends to change around the holiday.
There are some bands like Gaelic Storm and the popular midwestern duo Switchback that attract large crowds — not only on St. Patrick's Day. While Gaelic Storm is Irish rock 'n' roll, Switchback has been considered a contributor to the "increasingly popular grassroots Americana music movement." The band has always said Irish music has been an influence in their writing and making of music.
It was slightly over 20 years ago that Brian Fitzgerald and his partner Marty McCormack met in Chicago and became members of the Wailin' Banshees. This Irish band made a name for itself on the Chicago music scene during the '80s. After a long run with the Banshees, Brian and Marty discovered they had a greater vision for their music and in 1993, they left to pursue those ambitions in the form of their new band, Switchback.
Since they had begun writing songs before their departure, the transition went somewhat smoothly. This new music combined not only Celtic traditions, which still make up the breadth of their music, but blues, folk and even a little jazz. It is this blend of culture and music that makes Switchback appealing to a large demographic.
Although Switchback is rooted in the Midwest, this duo has traveled all over the country, visiting festivals, pubs and even schools. Their album Bolinree is the newest of the group's extensive volume of work. As their seventh album since their start over 10 years ago, it is clear that the members of Switchback have made a name for themselves.
The first of the nine songs on Bolinree is the entirely instrumental "Wobbly Jigs." Tracks like this and "Banshees' Jigs" offer an accurate glimpse into traditional music. For those who are not very familiar with Irish music, it is also a good way to get accustomed to the sound of the mandolin, an instrument not commonly used.
The credit for this sound could go to Brian Fitzgerald, who also plays guitar and does vocals. It is said it is his mandolin playing that keeps the group's sound together, while his partner Marty McCormack provides the color with his bass-lines and vocals. In the fast songs (or jigs and reels, as they're also called) it is possible to hear how fast their fingers are moving.
Among the old-fashioned-sounding ballads is the title track "Bolinree," a homesick account of McCormack's first trip to visit his grandfather's hometown in Ireland. This track is one of the three new songs included on the disc. More spirited numbers include the romantic "Star of the County Down" and the broody, yet somewhat-lively "Dance in the Living Room."
Six traditional arrangements are featured on Bolinree. One that will be recognizable to many, whether they know Celtic music or not is "Drunken Sailor." This song has been adapted into choral music that is performed by choirs all over the country. Fitzgerald and McCormack have taken the many musical influences they have acquired and transformed these traditional songs to appeal to a wide audience.
Bolinree carries a lot of depth in its collection of music and is enjoyable to listen to, but as good as the CD is, it most likely wouldn't compare to seeing Switchback live. In their years together, Brian Fitzgerald and Mark McCormack have accumulated quite a following of fans and friends and they will be visiting the Midwest again soon. Fans and new listeners will have the chance to see Switchback live on April 2, 2006 at 3 p.m. at The Move in Viroqua, Wis.
Rating: 4 out of 5
