Track Listing

1. King of the Faeries
2. Mountain Tay
3. Bridget Flynn
4. Up Among the Heather
5. Bonnie Kellswater
6. Pat from Mullingar
7. Rovers Fancy
8. Pennywhistle Peddler
9. Shamrock Shore
10. Banks of Newfoundland
11. Shores of Americay
12. Lament for the Molly Maguires
13. Fiddler's Green
14. Rovers Street Song Medley
15. Pigs Can't Fly (Unsweetened)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4772 in Music
• Brand: MCA
• Released on: 2000-02-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
This is the "serious" side of the Irish Rovers, as it were. Of course, serious is a relative term, considering the irresistible cheerfulness found in these 15 lilts. But, where 1999's The Best of the Irish Rovers focused on their best-known novelties (like "The Unicorn") and drinking songs from their 1968-1971 Decca tenure, this 2000 collection spotlights their political, historical, and more traditional Irish songs. Even when the themes are sober--postfamine emigration, social rebellion, unrest, and protest--the Rovers turn them into musical celebrations of perseverance, integrity, and triumph in the face of adversity. Add to these topical songs a mix of lively dance numbers and light-hearted courting songs, and you have a clear look at the "other side" of the Rovers, one thoroughly steeped in their musical and cultural history. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

A excellent companion piece to 1999's "Best of" release
The music of the Irish Rovers is difficult to come by, which is very unfortunate. Last year MCA released the long overdue "Best of..." which contained 16 of the most popular tracks. Now we have this latest collection which pulls together another 15 essential tracks. There are lots of pleasant surprises here for those who are only familiar with the "hits" including the delightful "Bridget Flynn", the marvelous up-beat "Mountain Tay" and "Rovers Fancy", and slightly naughty "Up Among the Heather". This collection comes across as more "traditional" than "Best Of..." and should be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys good Irish music. Again, if you have "Best of..." you owe it to yourself to pick this one up as well.

My only complaint, and you can't hold this against the Rovers themselves, is that MCA is being a bit stingy with the material. There are 15 tracks here, but with many lasting just over 2 minutes the total running time is just over 35 minutes. If MCA really wanted to provide good value they could have utilized the full playing time of the digital format and added almost all these songs to last year's "Best of...". Now THAT would have been a bargain. Or at least added some more numbers like "Goodnight Irene", "Donald Where's Your Trousers", "Farewell to Nova Scotia", "Minstrel of Cranberry Lane", "Wind That Shakes the Corn", and "Coulter's Candy". But maybe they're saving those for next year's release?

Rovers show their heritage
The Irish Rovers have sung many different types of song, but this collection brings together some of their recordings of traditional Irish music, as well as contemporary material that sounds as if it could have been traditional.

The set begins with an instrumental, King of the faeries, but is followed by a selection of Irish songs that includes wonderful ballads and story songs as well as upbeat, fun songs.

An interesting aspect of this collection is the sequence of four songs about the Irish people that moved to America because of the potato famine - Shamrock shore, Banks of Newfoundland, Shores of America and Lament for the Molly Maguires.

A glance at the track listing will show that this is not a collection of famous Irish songs - you won't find Danny boy here - but those songs can be found elsewhere. For those who want some Irish music beyond the obvious, this is an excellent collection.

Gives the feeling of the Green
This is a great CD. Reminds me of the days I lived in Maine as a child and watched the Irish Rovers on wintery Saturday nights. Some of the songs have a Riverdance twist to them, while others have the traditional beat of irish pub music. Another winner from the Rovers!