Tuatha Dea "Kith & Kin"

 

When Bobbed Kilts Productions said he had some music for me that he obtained from the Grandfather Mountain (NC) Highland Games in July, I assumed he meant traditional Scottish music with bagpipes and such, not the Proclaimers or Big Country.  Silly me, why did I not think Celtic, a collection of influences and ancestry, like the Pogues, Waterboys or Corrs.  Well, a collection of influences and ancestry is exactly what's going on here, and it's not just Western European.  Toss in some African drums, maybe a little anvil(!), and a didgeridoo from Australia into the mix of standard instrumentation, and add the fact that the band hails from Gatlinburg, TN, you have the unique collection of which I speak.  This is straight from their Facebook info section:  "...eclectically mix Scotts Irish, new age, traditional and modern day music to produce a unique variety and blend of rhythm and melody."  No shit! 

First note I made at the outset of the CD was Pink Floyd, followed by Big Pig (video for reference)



The note for the second track was "tribal Jefferson Airplane," but unfortunately, the song is way too long at 11:24.  Edit down to 5:30 and it would be fantastic.  Another tune invoked the spirit of Ronnie James Dio!  It wasn't until track six, "Mulligan Stew," of the record's eight that I got what I originally anticipated.  You can find a video of it on YouTube.  Here is a video of the song-most-likely-to-be-called-a-hit...



The record is full of great vocals, male and female, and the band is obviously fueled by the power of rhythm.  The only regret I have is the electric guitar has an amateurish sound in the mix on most of the record.  Give the guy an equivalent share and you have a complete bona fide winner.

They have a website that looks to be only a few months old.  Check it out here and prowl around it like I did.  There are links to all their social sites, too.  Looks like they do a few long road trips for shows and will be down Florida way in a couple of weeks.  Most importantly, visit the music store tab and buy a song or two or the complete album.  It's impressive...