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The reviews below are more lengthy versions of the reviews quotes on the previous page. Return to short reviews
Reviews
for the CD "Mists of Ennistymon"
"For
fans of Traditional Celtic music DANNSAIR has recently released
their fourth album 'Mists of Ennistymon', just in time for
St. Patrick’s Day revelry. Led by frontman Russ Doherty,
and backed by a sonic array of flutes, fiddles, drums, bass
and guest vocalists, DANNSAIR not only leads us on a musical
journey through Ennistymon, County Clare, but also the Celtic
region of Astorias, Spain, Breton on the French coast, and
the Hebrides Islands off the Scottish shore. From the hauntingly
beautiful title track to reels like Rocky Road to Dublin 'Mists..'
never gets bogged down in any particular style. Recorded by
Dominic Camardella at Santa Barbara Sound Design. 'Mists...'
is a lovely addition to any Celtophile’s collection,
not to mention a true hometown treat." - Mike Gehagan,
Santa Barbara Independent, March 17, 2009
"Guitarist
Russ Doherty’s great-great grandfather left Ennistymon
for Canada after the famine of 1849. Eventually his children
traveled to Chicago where Russ was born. Returning to Ireland
with his family (including daughter and vocalist Siobhan Doherty),
the opening title cut is a beautifully wistful original melody
that invokes a nostalgic feeling for home. Dannsair’s
fourth album in as many years then weaves its journey thorough
a well-arranged mix of traditional and original compositions
that are intimate, expressive and sincere. Dannsair’s
instrumental flavor puts the spotlight on fiddles, flutes
and whistles, but a solid rhythmic foundation is crafted with
guitar, keyboard, bass and percussion. Siobhan Doherty gives
us a thoughtful, contemplative vocal rendition of “The
Hawk Omen,” a ballad from the Hebrides Islands. She
also demonstrates her elegant songwriting abilities with “Remember”
(a tribute to her Irish ancestors) and “The Blood Red
Sun” (inspired by a large wildfire and co-penned with
her father). Siobhan is a recent graduate of UC-Berkeley with
a BA in Theater and Dance. Flutist Linda Holland also composed
“Ulysses’ Lament” that begins the medley
found at track 10. From Chile, Andrea Arrendondo is the album’s
other featured vocalist, and she has a beautiful silky voice
well suited for storytelling (“Newry Highwayman”),
a Richard Shindell composition (“Fleur de Lis”),
or reflective love song (“Milagro de Amor”). One
of blind Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan’s classic
compositions, “O’ Carolan’s Welcome,”
is infused with splendid harmonies before it evolves into
a rollicking reel called “Rolling in the Barrel.”
The members of Dannsair are a multi-generational bunch, and
they are keeping traditional Celtic music vibrant and alive
while also composing new pieces that capture the same emotion
and excitement as those tunes from centuries before."
- Joe Ross Reviews, April 2009
Performance Reviews
"As we
were walking up and down State Street, we were enticed by
the live Irish music coming from this establishment. We didn't
necessarily order any drinks, but we sat there for a good
hour, listening to the lively music by Dannsair.
I was reminded of my dance tour in Ireland and craved to go
back. I felt I was right back there! The people were warm
and the musicians were very interactive. We liked them so
much that we bought one of their CD's. It was clean too. If
you like pubs, this one is well worth a try." – Mae F.,
Sherman Oaks, CA, The James Joyce on Yelp.com, 2010
"Yeah
it's a bar. Not a club. You will not get your groove on, you
will not get your freak on. You will, however, sing Irish
folk songs with Dannsair and play a damn
good game of pool. This place is Irish...uber Irish and I
love every unpretentious, crowd-lovin, bartender's-your-best-friend
moment in this place. If you want a place to drink with friends
and have a fucking blast without having to dress in those
4" heels that make you bleed, this is the place." –
Marissa S., San Francisco, CA, The James Joyce on Yelp.com, 2009
"The atmosphere,
the beer, the music by Dannsair, and the
food makes it feel like a little bit of Ireland in Santa Barbara,
California. Prices are reasonable, food is good, and then
there's the music. Also, you cannot forget the beer. Corn
Beef and Potatoes are great. I even enjoyed the local poached
sea bass they had as a special. The sides are a bit saltier
than I preferred, but that why its’ a pub; lots of beer
to wash it down.
The live music was fun. It really brought out the atmosphere,
with the names of the regions in all of Ireland." – Anson C., Fullerton, CA, Dargan's Irish Pub on Yelp.com, 2010
Dannsair with Santa Barbara Symphony, St. Patrick's Day 2007
"The night was not over,
as there was a St. Patrick's-themed Irish coda to be heard,
with special guests Santa Barbara-based Irish music group Dannsair. The performance began with Yaron
Gottfired's Irish Suite for Orchestra and Irish Band,
and continued through several more traditional Irish numbers
before sending the crowd off into a frenzy..."
- Charles Donelan, Santa Barbara Independent.
"At the tail end of Saturday night's
performance ... the timely guest Irish ensemble, Dannsair,
offered a feisty little Celtic reel, "The Star of Munster,"
as an encore. Bodhran player and singer Susan Picking mentioned
that on St. Patrick's Day, one would have to visit church
before visiting the pub. Such an image of propriety seemed
symbolic for a concert, where the meat-and-potatoes business
of Chopin and Beethoven came first, with Irish-themed music
as a novel nightcap. But ... for all its good intentions ...
the orchestral parts seemed to bog down the vibrant
mobility of the Irish band." - Josef Woodard,
Santa Barbara News-Press.
"Fabulous performance Sunday with
SB Symphony...I loved it!!!!" - Renee
Hamarty, Music Director, Arts & Letters, Summer Opera
Under the Stars.
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