Reviews

Mists & Memories Review 

Mists & Memories is the debut release from Celtic Kin, a duo based in Dahlonega, GA. Lead vocalist Larry Lawrence has a deep, resonant voice, and Dennis Engleman provides skillful harmony support, as is well evident on the soulful, accordion-tinged "Fisherman's Prayer." They perform all original material in the Celtic style, which is unusual, as they are one of the few Celtic groups presenting all modern compositions rather than traditional favorite tunes. Where tradition remains in the picture is in the instrumental styling and the song themes about magic ("Celtic Lullaby"), or battle ("Off to War"), or a "Bonny Young Lass." Songs range from the grim "Fiddler's Last Request," about a ne'er-do-well who deserts the army and is caught and hanged after playing one last song, to immigrants displaced by the potato famine in "Move On." They tend toward the grittier, struggling-to-survive side of life, though with notes of hope, as in the song "Laura Lea," where the hard-working young man takes his three years' savings and buys passage away for himself and his love.

 Murrday Fisher MP3.com May  2001