The Mickey Finns - Prayers And Idle Chatter

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The Mickey Finns - Prayers And IdleChatter
2012, Mankeltray MusicThe MickeyFinns have taken just two albums to be hailed one of the best Celtic rock bandsin the world.  Featuring former membersof The Prodigals (Ray Kelly – vocals, guitar; Brian Tracey – drums); the formerlead violinist for Michael Flatley’s TheLord Of The Dance (Matt Mancuso); and, multi-instrumentalist Eric Kaye (TheProdigals, Clint Black, Marc Cohn, Lucy Woodward), the New York City basedquartet gets crowds on their feet early and often.  The Mickey Finns’ latest studio effort, Prayers And Idle Chatter, features thesort of whiskey-soaked vocals that are ideal for Celtic Rock.

Prayers And Idle Chatter kicks off in high style with "The ProdigalSon", a heel turner with great energy and a dancing spirit. "SweetClare Girl" has a folk/country feel, filled to the brim with quiet but vitalpicking and focused vocal harmonies. The instrumental work is top notchthroughout, but especially in the bridge. "McGuinness' Mass" is a downtempo drinking song that explores the camaraderie of the neighborhood pub andthe form of penance that is brewed or distilled but universal across time andcultures. "Loop Reels" is a frenetic fiddle driven experienceunderwritten by some seriously motivated percussion. The Mickey Finns quiteliterally rock out here. "Absinthe (Makes The Heart Grow Fonder)" borrowsa bit of rough-edged energy and imbues it with a country/Celtic pastiche. Thiswould be one fun tune to experience live.

"Tanks And Barbed Wire" tells the story of love between a Protestantman and a Catholic girl at a time when such liaisons were dangerous. Theoutcome of this song is expectedly tragic, but holds a moral about learning tolive together. The Mickey Finns take a lighter tone on in “The Jester”, a lightand airy tune full of lilting violin and bright, breezy phrasing.  Kicking it up a notch or two, the bandlaunches into the vibrant “Two Jigs For Aoiffe”.  The musicianship is stellar and The MickeyFinns sounds very much in the zone. “Dark Roll Down The Dawn” represents a dichotomy in The Mickey Finns’style that is intriguing.  There’stremendous energy here, and it’s abundantly clear the band is having fun; yetthere is a clear sense that they are holding something in reserve.

“Duffy’s Cut”memorializes 57 Irish immigrants who died of Cholera outside of MalvernPennsylvania in 1832.  Brought to Americato help lay railroad tracks, it is believed the workers were denied medicalcare due to anti-Catholic prejudice.  TheMickey Finns handle this tune perfectly, creating a wonderful melodicsensibility in the Wally Page-penned tune. The sentiment here is real without sounding overly sentimental.  The Mickey Finns close out with a rockin’reel, “Be Mine”.  Nothing is left in thestudio here, and it’s clear that the impression earlier that the band was stillholding something is proven to be spot on.The MickeyFinns engage in a long slow build on PrayersAnd Idle Chatter that culminates in a blow-off-the-roof performance in “BeMine”.  Through the entire eleven-songcycle there is a sense of expectation, of something more.  The Mickey Finns deliver and then some.  PrayersAnd Idle Chatter captures the energy and pure musicianship of theband.  All of this is tied together bythe engaging presence of lead singer Ray Kelly, who is a first class front manwith a voice that stops people in their tracks. Somewhere in the nexus between The Waterboys, Black 47 and Great Big Seayou will find The Mickey Finns.  They’redoing just fine, thank you.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more atwww.TheMickeyFinns.com.