Album review : AS I ROVED OUT – THE STORY OF CELTIC ROCK 1968-78 (3CDs)

Cherry Red [Release date: 21.06.24]

Celtic music dates back to the 17th century. It’s part of the musical scenery in western Europe… mainly Portugal, Spain and France. And across the Atlantic in Canada … most especially among the island communities of Newfoundland and Cape Breton.

It doesn’t stop there, of course, but its heart beats most strongly still in Scotland and Ireland, two countries with a common Celtic musical heritage.

Students of the genre will know that there are infinite variations to Celtic music, melodically and thematically.

In the sixties, it was no real surprise to hear a few ambitious Irish artists fusing together the music of that heritage with the burgeoning sounds of rock’n’roll. And that’s where this boxset begins.

Thin Lizzy’s rocked up version of traditional Irish folk song, ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ (1972) was an international hit, and a launchpad to a successful, 14 year career.

Rory Gallagher needs no intro to rock and blues fans. The blistering hard rock of ‘Born On The Wrong Side Of Town’, is taken from his band Taste’s 1969 debut. A song heavy with meaning, with Gallagher framing epic guitar rock within the Irish political landscape.

Gary Moore and Phil Lynott both began their musical careers with Irish Blues Rock band, Skid Row. ‘Oi’ll Tell You Later’ is taken from the band’s self titled 1970 album, with Moore on lead vocals.

Those all pervasive Celtic influences ultimately crossed borders, taking root in the fertile ground of England’s Folk Rock community. Selected songs from top flight bands like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Pentangle and Trader Horne are all featured. It’s worth noting that ‘Sheena’, taken from Trader Horne’s cult (and only) album, Morning Way, is here.

Scotland, arguably the country most associated with the genre, has contributed Greenockian, Al Stewart, known for his historical folk rock writing style. His anti polution song, ‘Electric Los Angeles’ is here. As is Pentangle co-founder Bert Jansch’s ‘Dynamite’, taken from his album, Santa Barbara Honeymoon, recorded at Sound City, California in 1975.

It’s Runrig that many people will most readily associate with Scotland’s Celtic music tradition. ‘De Ni Mi and Puirt’ comes from the album, Play Gaelic (1978) recorded when the band were on the edge of their international breakthrough.

And there’s more, some household names… Wishbone Ash, Sandy Denny, Clannad, Gilbert O’Sullivan, David MacWilliams, and some who were equally talented, but were fated to fly below most people’s radar, like Trees, Huw Jones, East Of Eden, Shelagh McDonald, Hergest, Skibereen, and French contributors, Namnetes, Alain Samson and Kyaldan.

Good to see Cherry Red giving the genre this much needed exposure. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)