The Roving Crows - The Roving Crows

This four-piece band is formed around the duo of Caitlin Barrett in fiddle and vocals, and Paul O'Neill on guitar and lead vocals. Marc Miletich adds mandolin, vocals and electric & upright bass, and Phil Hall plays percussion.

Instrumentally, the centre of action is Caitlin Barrett's fiery fiddle playing: equally at home powering through sets of jigs and reels, or accompanying songs, she plays with rhythm and wonderful intonation, fairly driving everything along in sizzling folk-rock style.

After a couple of traditional tune sets, and two of Paul O'Neill's more up-tempo songs, it comes almost as a surprise when things quieten down for the contemplative Time. Paul's compositions cover a range of feelings and experience, from pub-rock choruses about the drunk knocking on his girlfriend's door (Mary), or the expatriate returning to Ireland's rain and inflation (Paddy's Coming Home), to the slower, more philosophical One Day, a reflection on integrity and life's turning wheel, or Lies, a bitter indictment of government and war. His vocals have a very contemporary edge, always with a passion and heartfelt commitment to the subject matter.

The only traditional song is a version of the Irish emigrant piece Spancil Hill (obviously flavour of the month - review of O'Hooley and Tidow!). I'm not sure the vocal style fits so well here as on his own songs. All song lyrics are given in the sleeve insert, though I wish they hadn't been printed against a multi-coloured photo-collage background - it doesn't make for easy reading. Quibbles apart, a fine album, with some stonking instrumentals and songs that will stick in your mind.
Chris Beaumont
Paul or Caitlin on 07896 327069 or 07912 014636 www.rovingcrows.com