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Review from Arts West Magazine
Review from Living Tradition magazine
Review from Taplas Magazine
Review from Folk Roots Magazine
Review from The International Nina Simone Society
Review from Sounding Out (UK)
Review from Taunton Times: March 2000
Review from Cara Magazine
Review from Irish Voice: June 2000
Openear Internet Review
The Bumblebees are Mary Shannon from Corofin, Co. Clare, Laoise Kelly from Westport, Co. Mayo, Colette O’Leary from Scartaglen, Co. Kerry and Liz Doherty from Buncrana, Co. Donegal and their long awaited second album was recently released on the Beehave Records label. Aptly titled buzzin' it is a more than worthy follow up to their very successful first album bumblebees.
The group have been together now in their present line up for well over two years and in that time they have continued to add to the already impressive repertoire they previously played as individual musicians. Coming from very divergent parts of Ireland, they bring with them a wide repertoire of tunes from distinct regional styles. This, combined with their shared interest in the music of many other traditions as well as their natural and infectious exuberance for playing music, ensures that their latest album is of an exceptional standard with music for all ears included.
The very first track sets the tone for the international flavour which colours the music throughout this CD. Old French comes from the French Canadian tradition, Malt on the Optics was composed by the Scottish piper Hamish Moore, and the final tune in this opening track, The Miser’s Purse, was made popular by the one and only, great, Donegal fiddle player, Tommy Peoples. This journey from French Canada to Scotland and back to Ireland proves without a doubt that traditional music from Ireland can mix very happily with music from many other traditions when in the capable hands of musicians of the calibre of the Bumblebees.
There are 11 tracks on this new album with beautiful, original, creative and harmonious arrangements which show the wealth of musical knowledge within the group. Laoise, Mary, Liz and Colette are all well known accomplished musicians in their own right and this gathering of their many musical talents, as well as giving us a new and distinctive sound in Irish music, also showcases the individual musical expertise of each member of the Bumblebees.
The sources of the tunes they play are just as diverse as the music itself with pieces included on the CD which were influenced by such luminaries in the international world of traditional music as La Boittine Souriante, The Champion String Band, Russ Barenberg and Lisa Ornstein along with our own Sliabh Notes, Stockton’s Wing and Paddy Glackin among others.
Newly composed tunes also make an appearance and they are expertly woven with traditional tunes by the magical playing of this gifted quartet. One for particular mention is Union Street, composed by Cape Breton fiddle player Paul Cranford. This tune seems to have captured the attention of many traditional musicians and can be heard on track 8. Another gem is the last tune on track 9, a lovely polka called Daisy’s Tune, composed by Mary Shannon.
While I initially questioned the choice of a Slow Reels set as the final track on an album, maybe its just like when you’re reading a really good book and you turn that last page without realising it’s the last page. You feel there should be more and there isn’t and you want to run out and buy the sequel. So it is with the last set of reels on this album, Eddie Kelly’s and Farewell to Chernobyl, it certainly kept me sitting there buzzin’ for the next track or maybe the next album!
This CD is on the Beehave Record label No. BHCD001 but it will be recognised easily from the great cover photograph of the four girls and a yellow beetle car taken by Clare photographer Christy McNamara. The girls’ expressions, captured so well on film, epitomise the music captured on CD, music that is joyous, carefree, happy, expressive, artistic, enthusiastic eclectic and above all, of the highest quality.
Maire O’Keeffe
Buzzin'
"Yet another traditional Irish tinkly group ..." I hear you say? Well actually - not really. The Bumblebees are an all female, all tune playing band who, at first listen appear to be doing nothing different from what any other Irish band has done in the past (eg. Cherish the Ladies, Dervish). However, a few more listens and a read of the CD blurb tells you otherwise.
All of the tracks are instrumental, so if you are looking for nice Irish singing this is not for you, but those of us who are "tunes people" are not disappointed. A breath of fresh air from many groups who are tied to their own tradition, The Bumblebees take their influences and tunes from Canada, Scotland and Cape Breton as well as Ireland. Tunes gathered from all over the place are taken and "Irishised" while still keeping the original spirit of the tune.
Particularly noteworthy for this is the excellent "Brake Yer Bass Drone" a Gordon Duncan tune which has been tried and tested by many bands. The Bumblebees have used the fiddle, banjo and accordion as the melody instruments while the harp takes the accompaniment. The tune is still very much what it was intended to be but it has a new, Irish angle to it. A similar treatment is given to the La Bottine Sourante tune "Nos Braves Habitants" which is played by the banjo, fiddle and accordion with a rhythmic accompaniment on shells (use your imagination)!
Also worth noting is the addition of the banjo to the usual line of instruments (fiddle, harp accordion) which adds an extra dimension to the music and helps to reinforce the melody line which can often be lost in the mish mash of instruments of many bands. The playing is generally light and sparse but they are not afraid to let loose on tunes such as "De Saint Paul A Terrebonne" where Bumblebees make full use of the ranting fiddles of Liz Doherty and Laoise Kelly.
All in all this is a great album which would make a worthy addition to the collections of anyone who is an Irish music fan looking for something with a different slant.
Paul Murray
Buzzin'
I has not come across The Bumblebees before and was completely bowled over by this CD. The band is made up of Liz Doherty on fiddle, Laoise Kelly on harp and fiddle, Colette O'Leary on accordion and cello and Mary Shannon (obviously multi-talented like her sister Sharon) on banjo, mandolin, mandola and fiddle.
They are all fabulous musicians and obviously steeped in the tradition but it's the quality of their arrangements that stand out. They play Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, French-Canadian and American tunes, constantly changing the textures, yet the effect is seamless and you don't feel as if you are listening to an arrangement. After playing this CD, it immediately went on a second and third time - always a good sign.
Bairbre McAteer
Buzzin'
Buzzin', The Bumblebees' second outing features a further romp through the many facets of traditionally based instrumental music. Since the first Bumblebees album hit my ears two years ago Collette O'Leary, Liz Doherty, Laoise Kelly and Mary Shannon have done some serious roadwork and tightened up their act considerably. The evidence is clearly evident as now the Bumblebees sound is sharp, effective and immediate. Flourishes of fiddle accordion, harp, mandolin and banjo race out from the traps in unison on Old French Reel and The Salt Wedding. A thoughtful maturity of style and application undermines the laid back reading of Dermot Grogan's Hornpipe. Apart from their obvious enthusiasm for their music what emerges from Buzzin' is the collective tightness and unity in The Bumblebees performances. The previously loose and open feel has been replaced with a confident and assured boldness and an in your face immediacy.
Buzzin draws on a plentiful trawl of Irish, Scots, Cape Breton, French Canadian and American tunes with special guest slots from Gerry O'Beirne's slide and dobro guitars, Trevor Hutchinson's bass and Noel Bridgeman on percussion. O'Beirne's contributions to Goodbye Eddy Street particularly adds a Hawaiian touch and Hutchinson’s rock stead bass anchors The Salt Wedding before all hell breaks loose. Buzzin' couples The Bumblebees zest and vitality with an assured grasp of musical dynamics. Highly recommended again.
John O'Regan
We are rarely this enthusiastic about a
new release as we are now about this second CD of the Bumblebees. Even when this seems to
be another all female group, playing Irish tunes, their music is so renewing and fresh.
This is a perfect mix of tunes and styles from Scotland, Cape Breton, French-Canada, USA,
even Scandinavia. The ladies are master musicians. All tracks are instrumental. Fiddle,
banjo and accordion put you in a happy and relaxed mood. The Bumblebees : without any
doubt : SUPERB.
The Bumblebees’ second album,
Buzzin’, gives the Irish female four-piece the chance to glitter-up reels, jigs and
hornpipes with sparkling light playing of assorted harps, fiddles and accordions and
mandolins that create a fizzing champagne of delicious dancing and listening experiences
and the odd, mellow, breath-catching moment.
The Brewhouse was a buzzin’
The brewhouse was a hive of activity as the Bumblebees
released a little touch of Ireland into the night. The late arrival of the Irish
instrumentalists provoked a chatty audience.
However, this soon gave way to toe-tapping as a night of traditional folk music took
flight. It was obvious from the start there was an absent bee. At short notice Mary
Shannon, Colette O’Leary and Laoise Kelly recruited guitarist Ed Boyd to complete the
quartet. Ed was a hit, oozing with skill and competence as he complemented the fiddles,
banjo, harp and accordion with his superb musical talent. The band’s forgetfulness
over the titles of the tunes was not a problem, for the precision and versatility proved
to be more than adequate.
Playing jigs and reels from around the world, the young musicians enjoyed every moment and
the audience delighted in their naturalness and enthusiasm. Scandinavian and Scottish
influence was particularly strong, but their Irish roots prevailed.
Flawless harp solos by Laoise highlighted this first class performance and captivated
those who heard it. As the end drew near the pace increased ensuring an encore.
With the release of their new CD ‘Buzzin’ the Bumblebees have made their mark,
proving that folk music has retained its appeal.
Cara Summerhayes
Flight of the Bumblebees
The Bumblebees are a virtuosic group of young Irish women who have been generating a lot of critical buzz since they first started making music together in Galway in 1996. The group’s second recording, aptly titled Buzzin’, was released in Ireland last year but arrived only recently in the "On the Fiddle" mailbox.
Better late than never – Buzzin’ is a highly enjoyable, thoroughly tasteful romp through an electic collection of mostly up-tempo dance numbers from French Canada, Cape Breton Island, Scotland, England, Denmark and the US. There are even a few tunes from Ireland. Just kidding – one of the great things about the Bumblebees is the way they prove that the old time acoustic dance music of much of the Western world has a lot in common. But even when playing some odd-sounding Scandinavian number; the group’s Irish musical accent comes through loud and clear.
The Bumblebees’ core trio is made up of Clare mandolin, mandola and tenor banjo player Mary Shannon, Kerry piano accordionist Colette O’Leary and County Mayo harper Laoise Kelly. On Buzzin’ they were also joined by Liz Doherty, an ace Donegal fiddler who has since parted ways with the group. Mandolin, harp, fiddle and piano accordion is not your standard trad lineup, but their unique instrumentation is a big part of the Bumblebees’ intriguingly different sound.
The standard of piano accordion playing in Ireland has soared in recent years. Colette O’Leary, who got started on the instrument at the age of five, has to be rated one of the best at coaxing genuine traditional sounds form the "stomach Steinway". Mary Shannon (yes, that’s button accordionist Sharon Shannon’s sister) is a marvelously talented picker on any fretted instrument. The harp, although Ireland’s national instrument, is rarely used to play traditional dance music. Laoise Kelly is an amazing player, however; and more than equal to the technical challenges involved. Some of the most seductive moments on Buzzin’ come from the interplay of the similar-yet-different sounds of plucked harp and mandolin sounds.
The best way to get a copy of Buzzin’ is to order it directly from the group. Send a cheque for $25(which covers postage and packaging) payable to Bumblebees to P.O.box 7161, Dublin 6, Ireland. You can also read more about the Bumblebees on their website: http://www.anu.ie/bumblebees
TOP ALBUM OF THE MONTH:
"Bumblebees" Buzzin'
It is just four months since Ireland's ground-breaking
group Bumblebees released Buzzin', their long awaited second album and everyone
is guaranteed to be just that after Bumblebees charm their listeners with this infectious
brew of tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton Island, French Canada, Denmark as well
original compositions. They are a group which have earned themselves a reputation of
combining a real love of life with a real love of music (guaranteed to bring every
festival to life!) Bumblebees are Laoise Kelly (harp/fiddle), multi-instrumentalist Mary
Shannon banjo/mandolin/mandola/fiddle), Colette O'Leary (accordion) and Liz O'Doherty
(fiddle). Individually they are brilliant. Collectively they are dynamic. Buzzin' couples
The Bumblebees zest and vitality with an assured grasp of musical dynamics.
Buzzin' swings between Colette's subtle accordion, Mary's bouncy banjo/mandolin
picking and Liz's grinding Donegal fiddle. This is all punctuated by Laoise's incredibly
inventive left hand on the harp which she uses to create wonderfully rhythmic walking bass
lines.
OTHER QUOTES INCLUDE :
"Acoustic music par excellence…mighty musicians making mighty music together" (Irish Music Magazine)
"The aptly named Bumblebees produce music of great style and considerable accomplishment with effervescent good humour and wit" (Nuala O’Connor)
"This quartet combine outstanding instrumental prowess with a collective spirit and joie de vivre that is truly captivating" (Celtic Connections Festival, Glasgow)
".. intriguing tapestry … beautiful harmony and cosmopolitan taste" (Irish Times)
"From the sparkling harp and mandolin introduction to the delicately mysterious final track, this album is pure pleasure" (Evening Herald re Buzzin’)
"An all female quartet of sterling musicians" (Hot Press)
"Buzzin’ couples the Bumblebees zest and vitality with an assured grasp of musical dynamics. Highly recommended" (Folk Roots Magazine)
"Bumblebees deserve credit for the ingenuity
of their arrangements and their excellent musicianship" (Living Tradition Magazine)
"Buzzin' couples the Bumblebees zest and vitality with an assured grasp of
musical dynamics. Highly recommended" (Folk Roots Magazine)
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