I have gotten a handful of requests to do something like this here, and although I'm wary about writing reviews of my own band, I'd like to do so and give a "first hand" opinion on original songs so that you can get a good idea what exactly to expect when this album releases.

The band is comprised of four members, one of whom we have no photos of yet as he just joined a handful of weeks ago to replace former bassist Mike Watson.

Tim Keeley is the frontman, playing the bodhran, djembe, concertina, tin whistle, and keyboard as well as singing lead vocals.

Eric Berthold is the lead guitarist and occasionally joins in on gang vocals, although it's not in his preference. His background includes a degree in music and extensive blues, rock, and country performance experience.

Dwayne Grassie is a family man who missed out on music years ago but is back for redemption. He plays both acoustic guitar and bass, though primarily supports the band's sound on rhythm guitar. He occasionally sings as well, though prefers not to be stuck in lead unless necessary.

Freddy Smith is the newest member, and he seemlessly joined when Mike left the band for another project in January. His bass skills fill in the holes in the band and he also dabbles in other instruments as well, including banjo. 

First, this album is a combination of traditional folk tunes from Ireland, Britain, Scotland, and Newfoundland. Each country is well represented at least once in the album and we hold no bars in making our own original interpretations. There are a LOT of folk bands out there, some never make it (for shame) and struggle til the day they die merely making music that they love. For us, however, this isn't something transient. I have every intention of taking this a bit farther than merely playing around town. If my fate has a career in music in store for me -- as it is my desire -- then you may see me in your city someday soon. That is, after all, the way to truly "make it" in music.

Below is the tentative list for "Work and Worry." 

Potential Album list:

1-       Old Polina - T

2-       Lukey’s Boat - T

3-       Banks of Newfoundland - T

4-       Our Destination - O

5-       The Bonnie Ship the Diamond – T

6-       The Sea Calls My Name - O

7-       Star of the County Down - T

8-       The Juice of the Barley - T

9-       Bout with Fate - O

10-    I’ll Tell Me Ma - T

11-    Barnacles on the Hull - O

12-    Harbour Lecou -T

13-    Leave - O

14-    All Day Long - O

I'm going to describe the songs for you as briefly as possible and still do each o them justice. It's hard since the traditional songs have various versions that date back extensively into history and have numerous stories tied to each. Many of the original authors are unknown as these songs have been passed, word of mouth, for centuries, some even close to a millennium.

The Old Polina is an old sea chanty, probably has origins in both Newfoundland and Scotland, but this version happens to be the Newfie version. The song is well paced and energetic, an excellent prelude for the remainder of the album.

Lukey's "Bote" is another Newfie tune about a guy who basically is the village idiot. He's got a nice boat, or "bote" as we like to call it, and seems to have many others who also like it. True to Newfoundland nature, the song of the sea rings true yet again.

Banks of Newfoundland is another irresistable Newfoundland song, seems to be a lot of them at the beginning, and it's the oldest song to ever be put in print from the rock in the sea. There are differing versions, even an American version written ca. 1930, but we opted for the older version. The lyrics are dark and foreboding, the melody itself doesn't seem to leave much to the imagination.

Our Destination is a song I wrote that had originally been intended to have a punk-esque feel to it, although that never happened. The words are nothing punky, perhaps the newer rendition is more appropriate. I do know that the song has become a favourite among listeners and the lyrics, although written as a folk song, are still modern and easily related to. If you ever find yourself away from your loved ones for a long period of time, even if it's doing something you love -- like music -- this song is for you. Remember, your destination is always home.

The Bonnie Ship the Diamond is a slow ballad from Scotland about the whalers (see Old Polina) long voyages. Our version is much slower than most popular renditions, it also features the concertina (hexagonal accordion) throughout the entire song. When we opted to interpret it as we have, it was something that took some getting used to. It differs enough from the rather intense Banks of Newfoundland and sets itself apart as one of the more somber pieces we will record.

The Sea Calls My Name is a pop ballad I wrote on the spur of the moment when an idea hit me -- what happens to old men who never settle down? We call them "rovers" but what do they truly feel? Is their devotion to their wandering ways or to those whom they regretfully have let slip thru their fingers? The song decides that at the end, and surprisingly it's not the expected outcome.

Star of the County Down is our premier Irish number on this album. It's my personal favourite in the set, and we start out with a slow introduction but race into a driving rock number and have a pretty impressive electric guitar solo in the middle. This is not quite your father's irish music, mind you. While I've heard rambunctious renditions of this song before, I do believe ours has some character to set it apart from its competitors, and that's not saying those other versions are bad. They simply aren't terrible at all, but our's can indeed separate itself from the others and not be considered "cliche."

The Juice of the Barley has always been a favourite of mine, and after hearing the Clancy Bros. and Dubliners do their folk renditions, then hearing Barleyjuice revive the tune for today's crowd, I couldn't help but include it in the album. The song has a pleasant melody, and the words are rather hilarious. The lesson learned, however, has much to be desired!

Bout with Fate is the first song I ever wrote for Bote on my own. I was up late one night reminiscing te lives of numerous people I'd loved who'd died from differing diseases, though the most poignant of them were cancerous. I decided to write a poem about the struggles I'd seen, then set it to music. What came out was a simple melody with complex lyrics and a song that, to this day, still keeps me entertained. I don't think I'll ever quite write one like this again.

I'll Tell Me Ma is another Irish tune that frankly is about the same thing the other one is about: women. Hilarious and fun, this is a lighter mood that follows the darker Fate before it.

Barnacles on the Hull was originally written by Brendan Poole, a friend of mine, and he asked me one day to put music to it. After editing the lyrics to get the rhythm set for melody, I toyed with a few folk-like tunes in my head and eventually came up with a warped version of Wild Rover crossed with Spanish Lady. The song is still a popular tune for many irish folk lovers and fits in snuggly with all of the traditional tunes in this album. It isn't far fetched to say that this may be the closest thing to an actual folk song we've worked on that is also an original.

Harbour LeCou has always been something I've wanted to visit, and after hearing Great Big Sea's recording of it in their album The Hard and the Easy, I couldn't resist including this one on here too. We've worked an arrangement that differs strongly from the aforementioned band's, however, with a modulation into a minor key at the turning point of the song, then a modulation back into the original major key upon exit of the isntrumental. The song is recognisable to all celtic music fans and more than likely will be a cornerstone for our future live acts.

Leave is one of the most bizarre songs I've ever created. The melody is irregular, probably a product of over fifteen years on the piano, but the song redeems itself with a catchy chorus. The lyrics are equally amusing as they depict the emotions many have the hardest time expressing, even if they do it for a living. Walls may close in, clouds may fade, and things may never seem to improve, but the reality that we find at the end of all things brings us back into hope.

All Day Long is a song I wrote when I was merely jamming around the house. The melody is happy with a sort of reggae feel, and the words are possibly the best I've ever written to date. The song itself is against the slavery that modern commercialism has ingrained in us to "be a part of." This song is for those who buck against that system, like me, and decide that there's a better route to take. The final verse rips into pop culture:

"Tom Cruise's hair is on the mend, Oprah's got a million emails to send; million dollar dogs, kids jumping like frogs, when will this madness ever end?"

The album, as you can see, is a well balanced mixture of different types of songs. Some have country edges, others are influenced by roots and blues, but all are fun and directed towards normal people with normal problems and dreams.

Be sure to promote us, purchase an album upon release, and get the word out to friends and family members. We can't do this without listeners, and fans are what drive us to do what we do and how we do it. I hope this has been a pleasant behind-the-scenes look at the band and it's project. Hope to hear from many of you in the future!