In loving memory of our co-founder, Darren Beech (4/08/1967 to 25/03/2021)

CAROLINE KEANE – Rise (own label)

RiseThere is a large number of musicians who contributed to Rise but the name on the front is that of concertina player Caroline Keane from Dingle. Supporters include Fourwinds bandmate Tom Delany on bouzouki and uilleann pipes and guest fiddler Laura Kerr. Guitarist Conal O’Kane earns his keep as another core band member but the majority of the guests are brought in to decorate one or two tracks. The material is predominantly traditional or Keane originals with one or two borrows although compositions by Martin Wynne and Charlie Lennon must be well on their way to becoming traditional.

I suspect the album title, Rise, refers to what you do while listening. It is mostly upbeat and sprightly although nicely balanced in style and tone. The opening set, ‘Three Sisters’, is a trio of polkas written by Caroline that should be sufficient to have you rolling back the carpet or kicking up the sawdust – or whatever takes your fancy. In the approved manner Caroline then proceeds through a set of reels, one of jigs and a third of hornpipes before we reach the first import.

‘Mon Père Vit Dans Les Étoiles’ is a mazurka composed by Seb Lagrange as a stately measure with Steve Cooney adding keyboards and Cecilia Keane providing a second concertina. It presents a different mood and a possibly welcome break from the high energy playing that has gone before. Caroline doesn’t let up, though, and next is a set of traditional polkas. Just when you’re ready to jump up again, she offers ‘Raghadsa Is Mo Cheaití’, a traditional air with an involved story linked to the Blasket Islands off the Kerry coast.

Now we turn for home with two sets of reels and one each of jigs, slip jigs and hornpipes and the pace never lets up. Rise is a happy album which is something we all need these days and I commend it to your attention.

Dai Jeffries

Artist’s website: www.carolinekeanemusic.com

‘Mon Père Vit Dans Les Étoiles’ – live:

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