Greatest Hits by Gaelic Storm

Special Reserve is Gaelic Storm's version of a greatest hits album. While it doesn't include some of my favorite songs, I do like what they have done with Special Reserve. That they have done in Special Reserve is compiled some of their funniest and most danceable tunes from their other three albums into one album plus three new tracks. The three new tracks are great and have quickly been included in my list of favorites. This is a great album for cleaning or listening to in the car. You will find yourself singing along and tapping your toe to the lively and fun music found on this album. Their instrumental style is heavy on percussion, fiddle and guitar-though we often treated to the traditional bagpipes and the electric bagpipes. This album features 13 fun-loving songs.

1. Courtin' in the Kitchen (Traditional--new)- (mainly fiddle, guitar and percussion, and Deger Pipes) a toe tappin' tale of woe about a lad who dares to court a lass that happens to be a cook for a gentlemen. "Don't ever fall in love it's the devil's own invention."

2. Johnny Tarr (written by the band--from the album Tree) --Interesting little story piece. It is a ballad-sort of not as slow as some. Tells the story about a guy who could drink a bar dry. You just have to hear this one.

3. The Schooner Lake Set (Instrumental-new)-features an up beat tempo, has a bit of an exotic sound-not so Irish. It features Accordion, spoons, guitar, Bodhran, bouzouki, highland pipes and fiddle. It's a very lively piece. Very danceable.

4. The Leaving of Liverpool (traditional from their self-tilted album)-it is a song about a sailor leaving port, leaving home, and leaving his love. Features the harmonica.

5. Drink the Night Away (written by the band from Herding Cats)-it is a song about leaving home to find your fortune, and being sad that your are leaving your family and friends behind you, and about that last night at the pub before you go. Features fiddle, percussion, Bodhran, guitar, harmonica.

6. After Hours at McGann's (traditional from Herding Cats)-combination of three medleys (The Primrose Lass, Hewlett's Reel, and Reel Gan Anim)-good fiddle, Bodhran, and guitar. Fun piece, toe-tapping reel.

7. Swimmin' in the Sea (Written by the band from Tree)--upbeat song about childhood vacation memories of swimming in the cold ocean in Looe, Cornwell. Personal narrative sang by the guitar player. Fun song.

8. Nancy Whiskey (traditional-new)-has an upbeat tempo, it's about the dangers of falling in love with Whiskey. One of my new favorites. It's also a very danceable song. Features Bodhran, accordion, guitar, Deger Pipes, percussion and fiddle.

9. She was the Prize (written by the band from Herding Cats)-Ballad about remembering your life in your last moments and recalling the love of your life and looking forward to being with them again. Sad and sweet at the same time. Features mainly guitar.

10. Johnny Jump Up/Morrison's Jig (traditional from self-titled album)-Interesting drinking song. It is about drinking "hard" cider and what happens to these people when they drink it. They swear its true (hmm)-it is a slower song. Mostly guitar and fiddle.

11. Titanic Set (Traditional from Herding Cats)-This is the piece that they are sorta famous for, the piece featured in the Movie Titanic. It's a toe-tapping piece for dancing. It's a combination of two reels (O'Mahoney's and Murphy's Reel) Lots of Bodhran and Fiddle.

12. Tell Me Ma (traditional-from self titled album)-Still a favorite track of mine, short tune, it says it is a children's song. It's cute, and catchy. It is lively and has a great Bodhran beat. Sends me to my feet every time.

13. Beggerman (traditional-from Tree)--this interesting fast paced piece about the life of a beggerman (what else), will make you wonder how can Patrick sing that fast. This music is a reel. It's a fun little piece. Good to close or start a CD with.

This CD would be a great introduction to Gaelic Storm if you have never heard them before. Its missing some of my favorites from other albums such as Before the Night is Over (from Tree) and Heart of the Ocean (from Herding Cats). But it's a good upbeat collection, even worth buying if you have all their other albums, because the new songs on here are worth the price. They are a great little band check out their website www,gaelicstorm.com, to see if they are playing at a pub near you, if they are drop on by and see them you won't regret it.