CD Review- Gael Day by The Elders

When it comes to top notch contemporary Irish American music, The Elders are the real deal. Six phenomenally talented musicians, these men are a songwriting and performance powerhouse that delivers onstage as well as in the studio. Their latest release, Gael Day, is a wonderful mixture of rock, folk music, and storytelling at it's finest.

The title is a bit of word play. Gael Day is an old Irish term referring to the day the rent is due. Paired with the cover art, a young musician appearing to plead his case to a wolf, there's an underlying message that The Elders understand what these tough economic times are about. But they aren't about to sit and moan about it. Instead, they're here to turn our minds away from our troubles.

There is a bit of Shanachie in the lads, to be sure. Each song tells a story, from the whimsical accounting of the life of Paddy and his boat in "Raging Sea" to the tale of the Immigrants in "Decoration Day." Ian Byrne sings to us the legend of the "Red Headed Man" in the fairy world and tells the story of Captain Cathcart in the "Ghost of Ontario." Their sound is modern, with elements of pop and rock deftly blended with Celtic influences. However the Elders have not strayed far from the traditional, maintaining an authentic Irish sound. Any step dancer worth their salt could kick up a jig or a reel to several of the tracks. The CD finishes with a wonderful cover of Steve Earle's "Galway Girl."

My personal favorite on the CD is "Luckothe Irish," a song that celebrates and respects the heritage that inspires The Elders music. Starting off slowly and building to an explosive crescendo, this song is destined to become requisite at all of the band's live performances.

Skillfully crafted at Big Time Production Studio and Rear Window Studio, the band recorded, mixed, and mastered the CD themselves, with spectacular results. The balance is perfect, and the band shines with lovely vocal harmonies and the sound of over a dozen instruments. Each band member is a talented musician in his own right, with Ian Byrne on bodhran, whistles and flutes, Norm Dahlor on bass and banjo, Brent Hoad on fiddle, mandolin, keyboards and accordion, Joe Miquelon on keyboards and sax, Steve Phillips on guitar and mandolin, and Tommy Sutherland on drums and percussion. Together, they have created something that is positively unique and special.

Be sure and visit The Elders web site to purchase music and find out when the band will be playing a venue near you.