Album Review: Save The Ales

Save The Ales is the second album from the Mid-West band Red Rum. A three person band who loves mixing comedy with their music that features a wide variety of instruments. When I say wide variety I’m not exaggerating: 12 string guitar, bodhran, 21-string autoharp, concertina, mandola, banjo, tin whistle, fiddle, spoons, jaw harp and “anything not nailed down”. I bring this up as I am expecting this album to bring some sounds we don’t often hear at the Inn. A reminder on how we review albums here; I type as I listen to the album so sometimes you may read something that I clarify later as I gather additional information. May not be how all are used to album reviews, just the way I personally do them.

We start Ales with a well known traditional, “Johnny Jump Up”. I am immediately struck on how the melody sounds. I believe it is the 12-string guitar and I always forget how lovely they sound. The band takes turn singing “Johnny” which brings an interesting feeling to this story style song, which I am really digging. It brings it to that level of a group of folks telling the same story. I am impressed with how beautiful all the instruments are playing with each other and not drowning each other out. I’m not sure why but vocally it’s giving a sense of melancholy that I’m not used to with the song. This is welcome as I’m always happy to hear and feel something new in traditional songs.

“Itches In Me Britches” can been done in two ways in my experience; straight and bawdy. My initial feeling is this is a straight version. We already have some new instruments on the second song which shows the range I was mentioning. There is a musical interlude that allows us to experience this which I quite enjoyed. There is a nice addition in the song with about a minute left which I wish was more prevalent in the song; the sort of wishful sighing that goes beautifully with the lyrics.

Now “Farewell to Tarwathie” is a song I quite enjoy that I wish more would play. The instrumentation on this song is absolutely fantastic. The arrangement is beautiful and I am hoping for a musical interlude just to get more of it, and here it is. I have a sudden urge to hear this in a nice pub, drinking some hot spiked cider with a fire nearby. We end with an additional interlude, which is just perfect.

“Ship That Never Returned” takes me immediately to Frontierland. The banjo and jaw harp just take does that me; suddenly I am a kid at the gun range in Frontierland at Disneyland. Sadly I think they drown out the vocals a bit, but I am enjoying the song nonetheless. I do enojy the fact that the song takes me on a story, which shouldn’t be a surprise for those that have read past reviews.

Up next is “Rosin The Beau” which is another traditional song that I quite enjoy. Originally a 19th century song; the usage of the jaw harp and a fiddle gives this a period accurate feel that you don’t quite feel sometimes. There is some storytelling/acting to go along with the vocals which I do enjoy is stories. It also has to be said that the fiddle playing and jaw harp really stand out. The jaw harp especially; very pleasantly surprised how versatile it sounds.

“I’ll Tell Me Ma” is a favorite of some of our listeners so finding a new version is always a bonus. The feature instrument I think is the banjo; which I think is a bit brilliant when it comes to “Ma”. The arrangement isn’t necessarily reworking the wheel; but everything is blending very lovely. The guitar and banjo in particular work well together. I am also a fan of how the vocals are laid out. I expect this to become a regular play on the show.

The banjo continues with “Merchant’s Son”. A bit of a faster pace than the previous songs and because of this it almost feels like the vocals are trying to catch up with the instruments through out. I do think the banjo and percussion have a seamless blend. I’m just not sure if it necessarily fits with the rest of the album.

“3 Jolly Coachmen” I think we get a better idea of how a Red Rum live show as we get an example of their interactions. It is a quite playful song which I imagine is a big hit with live crowds, especially the “tourists” who just came up for a day. This is not a knock, it is quite fun that could easily be added on and played with; something I think every band should have in their repertoire. It keeps the regulars and tourists entertained no matter the number of times they’ve heard it.

Our next song is a medley, “Road to Boston/Scotland The Brave/Red Hair Boy Medley”. I am particularly intrigued by this song since I have been quite impressed with their ability with instruments so far. The switch from Boston to Scotland was about as flawless as you can have in a medley of this nature. Again I can easily seeing this being a big live hit where the crowd is up and dancing. It can easily be said that the fiddle is the star of the show, but it’s the one at the forefront. All the playing is fantastic on this song and warms the cockles of this heart who loves great musical score.

“Irish Rover” is a song found in most Pirate/Irish band song lists. Initial reaction? This is how I would expect a band to sound if I walked into a pub and heard “Rover” being played by a band there. Some songs have lasted so long because it just resonates somewhere inside. Something I particularly like is the comedy within the song itself, you don’t always get that and gives it an almost live recording feeling. It finishes strong and likely a staple.

I really love the way “Leaving of Liverpool” starts. Something is really taking me with this banjo, an instrument that sometimes I don’t agree with. With this song though it just feels right. Vocally this is already one of my favorite on the album, the right decisions were made in this arrangement. It has this interesting mixture of the classic sound with a few different instrumentations that make the song completely their own. Sometimes it is just the little things that can really make something come together.

“Red Is The Rose/Loch Lomond” are some of my favorite traditional songs and having them like this on the album is just bringing a smile to my face. An absolutely gorgeous instrumental start for Rose I think has actually relaxed me in a way that a song hasn’t done in some time. I just find myself melting into my chair and being taken away. I’m not sure the mixture of the two work as well as designed, but when just Rose, blowing my mind a bit. I think I always forget how much I really love that song. My hat goes off to the harp (I think) and fiddle, there is soft deftness that is absolutely astounding in this song. I most definitaly did not expect that punch at the end of the song, which will wake you up me boyos.

Somehow “Always Welcome At Our Ship” has to follow that up. Luckily it starts with singing about pirates so you already have my attention. A playful song that I would be willing to put money on is a great hit during shows. I can easily see the band picking out audience members and giving them the various parts on the song. Even now I see laughter, clapping and just joy happening as this song is played. I’m not sure if I want this song at the end of the beginning of the album; I’m leaning towards wanting this to be the very last song.

“Drunken Sailor Redux” a song that many pirate bands have to play, reluctantly often. However with Redux in the title I have hopes! Again we are treated to some of their call backs into the song which gives us a glimpse into the band’s live show. I am particularly tickled as I myself have been known to have some of the fun during Drunken Sailor as this band is having. Oddly enough I think this is the type of Drunken Sailor song I myself would write as an artist so bravo.

Save The Ales is a strong second album from Red Rum. It starts a bit up and down at the start of the album but really kicks off at “3 Jolly Coachmen” and finishes very strong. I have to say though, the melody, the bands ability with their many instruments is second to none and must be commended. There are three different kind of pirate bands that play at faires. The ones who are big on party, those who are big on tradition and those who find a happy middle. I think Red Rum has found a solid foundation in the middle; a respect for the traditional while also wanting the audience to have fun. I expect the next album to improve on this and that the band has a bright future ahead of them.