Only a few more days until St Patrick's festivities, so I thought I would highlight this nifty solo nugget from the front man of the legendary Belfast punk rockers Stiff Little Fingers, Jake Burns. Yes, Drinkin' again, his worthwhile attempt at a traditional Irish album which came out in 2006. As he confesses in the liner notes, he started out with the intent of creating an "Irish" punk album. But as he quickly realized, it had been done so many times that he felt it was becoming a little passe. Secondly, the album was a collaborative effort with musicians from varied backgrounds so ultimately the album is a bit of a hybrid of genres, traditional Irish, acoustic folk, country. And it was recorded in Chicago, not Ireland. All told, one thing is certain: it is a departure from a SLF recording. Anyone who picks this CD up believing they are getting some uplifting fiery punk, think again. But listeners who are interested in a fun record full of passion and heart, like a Celtic Mekons album would do well to give this a listen. A pretty nice little record that doesn't seem to have ever been released in the States.
The album begins with a nice little uptempo version of Van Morrison's Domino. Definitely a happy party starting beginning. But this is not merely a covers album. Of the eleven songs here, seven are originals. The title song Drinkin' Again is a fun jaunty Poguesy sounding Celtic-country hybrid undercut with melancholy lyrics;
Give me rum, give me vodka,
give me brandy, give me beer
Give me the chance of some amusement
The chance of some amusement
The chance of some good cheer
Newcastle Brown, I'll drink it down
To the dregs, I'm Hell on legs
I'm drinkin' again....
More traditionally Celtic sounding yet similarly themed is Half Past Dead, about a night out on a bender and the dreading anticipation of awaking next morning. Other songs are historically themed such as the cover of
The Green Fields of France by Eric Bogle, the anti-war anti-imperialistic themed Right To Fight and the bittersweet reminiscing of V.E. Day. He sings poignantly about the Irish Diaspora of the 19th Century in Land of Opportunity. Burns is in fine voice throughout. He does justice to the traditional ballad
Cliffs of Dooneen, as well as the updated version of The Well Below The Valley. Burns adds to the tradtional canon with his excellent love lament Lancashire Rose.
Probably my favorite song here is his reworking of Belfast 14, originally from his Jake Burns and the Big Wheel from the 80's. One of his more personal songs, it sounds like it was probably an outtake from the Now Then.... sessions, one of SLF's most underrated albums and their most pop sounding album. It's about being a kid having to grow up in a war zone, without prospects and hope, and all the terrible consequences that it entails. It's a gem of a song and unusually revelatory, as after their first album the band made a decision not to make overtly political music. ( And I can't blame them for not wanting have any responsibility for any more lives being destroyed).
Overall, Drinkin' Again is a pretty decent album that accomplishes what it set out to do, make an updated version of a traditional Irish album that is both a lot of fun and delivers on an emotional level as well. And Jake Burns' personality shines through as well. If you like traditional Irish music and want to hear something a little different this could be for you. Certainly I am a little biased, as in my view Stiff Little Fingers is my favorite Irish band ever and Jake Burns is a musical hero of mine. So take that into account when you read this view.
Word on the SLF website is they are currently working on a new album. They are also touring the U.K. as we speak, so if they are playing in your area, go check out one of the great punk bands. They are absolutely great live, particularly when they play the early songs--the crowd goes crazy, everyone is shouting along with the band, and you feel the adrenalin rushing and electricity crackling back and forth between the band and the audience. Believe me, get out there and see this legendary band if you get the opportunity!!
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