At the Racket:
John Carty, Brian McGrath, Seamus O’Donnell and Michael McCague
It’s Not Racket Science
Out September 2008 on Racket Records
“The music of At the Racket makes you smile” – Arty McGlynn
It’s Not Racket Science is the new album from 1920’s inspired Irish trad band At the Racket. Formed in 1997 this is the band’s third CD and marks the opening of a new chapter with the introduction of their newest member, guitarist Michael McCague.
I'm bemused how Dennis Molloy's managed to get a copy of this when he lives, apparently, in Nevada and the album's barely available in Ireland yet. Unless, of course, DM is dancing a little *jig* of his own?
If I follow, the three names I used were those fo the current ATR lineup at their website, therefore, formerly he recorded with your two entries and now he records with the other three.
Or so I surmised.
I await clarification and "bringing up to speed", at your convenience.
gee i guess you're a bit of a cynic floss, a friend of mine knows mick mcague and sent me a copy as soon as it was available.
Im a big fan of the first two albums. I must say i think mr mcague is great on this one, dare i say i prefer him to garry obrian?!?
I really liked Garry O'Brian's backing, probably would say I prefer it to Michael McCague - Garry was fairly original in sound, while I can't help but hear other people's 'style' of playing in McCague. I know McCague is from a younger generation, and that all musicians reference back to the members of the older generation that they particularly admire, but I can't help but draw the conclusion when listening to the tracks (I must admit this is based on the three tracks available on the website, unlike DM I don't have a copy yet because I'm not involved in the ATR entourage!!!) that it sounds like a second rate Arty McGlynn. I know it's a fine line between emulation and imitation, but for me, on this occassion, it crosses over the line.
It mentions on the site that McCague has recorded on various other albums. Does anyone know what ones, and how he plays on them? I'd kinda like to hear more of his backing before writing him off in my own head as a plagiarist (albeit an extremely talented one!)
I also saw on the site that Brian McGrath is playing banjo and Michael McCague is playing tenor guitar - hey, if McGrath, McCague or O'Donnell learnt the fiddle, they could go on tour without Carty!
Lambsy-baste and basty lambsey - can we drop this now? I learned a tune called "Jimmy Batty's" from some CD I have and the liner notes said John Carty composed it for his son James. It's pretty unlikely that said son would be heckling people on this site - sounds like he's becoming quite an accomplished fiddler himself so I'm sure he has better things to do.
Also I just received the new ATT and it's excellent - I would almost go so far as to say that it IS racket science.
'I know it's a fine line between emulation and imitation, but for me, on this occassion, it crosses over the line.'
Hug Me, I've listened to the CD. I never really listen out for guitarists, but I can tell from listening to this, that its nothing at all like Arty McGlynn. I have no idea where you got that idea.
I can hear he's playing in DADGAD, a totally different tuning to McGlynn. Where in the name of Jaysus did you come up with that?
At the Racket - New release
At the Racket - New release
At the Racket:
John Carty, Brian McGrath, Seamus O’Donnell and Michael McCague
It’s Not Racket Science
Out September 2008 on Racket Records
“The music of At the Racket makes you smile” – Arty McGlynn
It’s Not Racket Science is the new album from 1920’s inspired Irish trad band At the Racket. Formed in 1997 this is the band’s third CD and marks the opening of a new chapter with the introduction of their newest member, guitarist Michael McCague.
Copies available from : http://www.attheracket.com
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by MC
Re: At the Racket - New release
Ah, for full effect, the album title shouldda been "It's Not Racket Surgery."
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: At the Racket - New release
Will - that's funny, I had the same thought. I love that phrase.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by crazy_fingerz
Re: At the Racket - New release
Kudos to John and the lads for another top notch album! That sax is sweet!
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: At the Racket - New release
excellent. ive been looking forward to this one.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by S.Doherty
Re: At the Racket - New release
A super awesome album, I got my copy the other day and its refused to budge out of my cd player!!
"There once was a man named John Carty,
who recorded with Alec and Arty..."
Please finish.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by dennis molloy
Re: At the Racket - New release
I have the first two At the Racket albums and they're smashing. Pity that Gary O'Briain is gone though, I admire his playing.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by PaddyCmusic
Re: At the Racket - New release
apparantly garry o'briain was the brains behind at the racket and all the good stuff they did. not that they're not still good!lol.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by fiddleruairi
Re: At the Racket - New release
That shows how much i know, i thought Garry O'Briain was still with them!!
When did that happen?
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by VocalDivaSteed
Re: At the Racket - New release
I'm bemused how Dennis Molloy's managed to get a copy of this when he lives, apparently, in Nevada and the album's barely available in Ireland yet. Unless, of course, DM is dancing a little *jig* of his own?
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: At the Racket - New release
dennis:
I rather like what little I have had the chance to hear by ATR,
so here goes:
There once was John Carty
Who recorded with Alec and Arty,
Then Seamus, Michael, and Brian
Said "Here's a new hat to try on -
We're horny, we're saxy, let's party!"
(humbly offered up, with apologies to all the real poets)
Cheers.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Rook
Re: At the Racket - New release
Connections my dear man, connections!!!
# Posted on September 19th 2008 by dennis molloy
Re: At the Racket - New release
fwiw, I think "Mirth Making Heroes" is one of the best albums in the genre. Can't wait to hear the new stuff. Thanks for the heads up, MC.
# Posted on September 19th 2008 by octogreg
Re: At the Racket - New release
Connections, dear sir?
If I follow, the three names I used were those fo the current ATR lineup at their website, therefore, formerly he recorded with your two entries and now he records with the other three.
Or so I surmised.
I await clarification and "bringing up to speed", at your convenience.
I remain,
rook
# Posted on September 19th 2008 by Rook
Re: At the Racket - New release
Rook that was addressed to floss the tethers!
# Posted on September 19th 2008 by dennis molloy
Re: At the Racket - New release
gee i guess you're a bit of a cynic floss, a friend of mine knows mick mcague and sent me a copy as soon as it was available.
Im a big fan of the first two albums. I must say i think mr mcague is great on this one, dare i say i prefer him to garry obrian?!?
# Posted on September 19th 2008 by dennis molloy
Re: At the Racket - New release
I really liked Garry O'Brian's backing, probably would say I prefer it to Michael McCague - Garry was fairly original in sound, while I can't help but hear other people's 'style' of playing in McCague. I know McCague is from a younger generation, and that all musicians reference back to the members of the older generation that they particularly admire, but I can't help but draw the conclusion when listening to the tracks (I must admit this is based on the three tracks available on the website, unlike DM I don't have a copy yet because I'm not involved in the ATR entourage!!!) that it sounds like a second rate Arty McGlynn. I know it's a fine line between emulation and imitation, but for me, on this occassion, it crosses over the line.
It mentions on the site that McCague has recorded on various other albums. Does anyone know what ones, and how he plays on them? I'd kinda like to hear more of his backing before writing him off in my own head as a plagiarist (albeit an extremely talented one!)
I also saw on the site that Brian McGrath is playing banjo and Michael McCague is playing tenor guitar - hey, if McGrath, McCague or O'Donnell learnt the fiddle, they could go on tour without Carty!
# Posted on September 20th 2008 by Hug me
Re: At the Racket - New release
To Fiddleruairi<
Do u no who started and set up the band???
Yep not O'Briain!!!!
# Posted on September 20th 2008 by Banjo Driver
Re: At the Racket - New release
Mr Banjo Driver!!! You seem to know an awful lot of the history of this band!
You must know them very well.
# Posted on September 20th 2008 by VocalDivaSteed
Re: At the Racket - New release
really? someone told me it was him, who was it actually?
# Posted on September 21st 2008 by fiddleruairi
Re: At the Racket - New release
Yes fiddleruairi I would love to know Banjo Drivers "opinion" on this too.
# Posted on September 21st 2008 by VocalDivaSteed
Re: At the Racket - New release
Well if it's James Carty you can tell your dad we're all disappointed his US tour won't make it out west!
# Posted on September 21st 2008 by airport
Re: At the Racket - New release
Lambsy-baste and basty lambsey - can we drop this now? I learned a tune called "Jimmy Batty's" from some CD I have and the liner notes said John Carty composed it for his son James. It's pretty unlikely that said son would be heckling people on this site - sounds like he's becoming quite an accomplished fiddler himself so I'm sure he has better things to do.
Also I just received the new ATT and it's excellent - I would almost go so far as to say that it IS racket science.
# Posted on September 23rd 2008 by airport
Re: At the Racket - New release
dargle - I meant ATR
# Posted on September 23rd 2008 by airport
Re: At the Racket - New release
'I know it's a fine line between emulation and imitation, but for me, on this occassion, it crosses over the line.'
Hug Me, I've listened to the CD. I never really listen out for guitarists, but I can tell from listening to this, that its nothing at all like Arty McGlynn. I have no idea where you got that idea.
I can hear he's playing in DADGAD, a totally different tuning to McGlynn. Where in the name of Jaysus did you come up with that?
# Posted on September 29th 2008 by Hugo Chavez