Celtic CD Review: Marc Gunn's Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion

Marc Gunn, naturally! He combines his love of cats and his wry sense of humor with his gift of voice and music. Marc Gunn's newest release,Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion,sprinkles the wee small 'meows' of his favorite feline pets into the mix. The songs are traditional, but Marc's renditions are unique, fun, and purr-fectly wonderful.

Marc Gunn's Irish tunes hearken back to Burl Ives' ballad style with a twist. Marc Gunn lures the listener away from the day's cares into a fun escape. Random cat "meows" slip into the mix, evoking the playfulness of Weird Al Yankovic's recordings. Irish Drinking Songs - The Cat Lover's Companion is a fresh, saucy recording of familiar, fun Irish tunes.

Track by Track

1. Finnegan's Wake - This one is sung very fast, telling the story of the 'supposed' death and wake for a man named Finnegan. As the ballad reaches its hysterical climax, it seemed Marc might break-out into laughter before he could finish the song.

2. Black Velvet Band - A playful Irish ballad with Marc Gunn's 'tongue-in-cheek' warning of the dangers of drink. What's not to love here?

3. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Not the mournful soul-searching style often heard, but a cheerful, sparkling rendition only Marc Gunn can do!

4. The Moonshiner - My personal favorite! My feet tap! My head sways! A grin 'shines' across my face as I listen "....'til I die!"

5. I'll Tell My Ma - A most spirited, catchy version of the traditional North Ireland children's song, I'll Tell Me Ma.

6. Patriot Game - A timeless piece; Marc Gunn remakes it into a heartfelt hymn and a whispered prayer. It is a fitting reminder to us of the sacrifices young men and women make for their countries still today. I dare you to try to keep yourself from hitting the 'repeat' button over and over again. Marc Gunn's voice and strings bring an amazing reverence and awe to this beautiful song.

7. Black Is The Colour - A Celtic-style traditional love song mournfully shared reaching deep into the listener's soul.

8. Bonnie Ship the Diamond - A sea shantie, or chant, sung in such a way that Marc's words are rhythmic, as if he is leading the crew of a sailing ship working in unison to heave in the ropes. The listener can nearly feel the sea air on their face, as Gunn sings "...a-fishing for the whale..."

9. Gypsy Rover - A fun, romping, romantic old Irish ballad! 1

10. Wild Rover - Simple, unadorned fun!

11. The Barnyards of Delgaty - Quick and energetic amusement all the way!

12. Fiddler's Green - A soulful and mournful lamenting ballad.

13. Lord of the Dance - I can never get too much of this song. It is the quintessential Irish ballad tribute to God's gift to man, "...I'll live in you if you live in me..."

I highly recommend listening to this new disc, Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion, in conjunction with Marc Gunn's previous disc, Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. He brings a fun twist to all the songs. When "Lord of the Dance" becomes "Lord of the Pounce," it is way over the top!

Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion, by Marc Gunn, is available now through MP3s direct from Marc's website, thanks to SoundClick; Available June 2007 on CD; Coming soon to CD Baby and to iTunes.