O'hAnleigh
Middlebury, Vermont, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2002 | INDIE
Music
Press
"Of Irish Crossings Told" by O'hAnleigh
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: O'hAnleigh
Album: "Of Irish Crossings Told"
Year produced: 2006
This CD has quite a fabulous variety of music, instruments and vocals. Highlighting the Irish-American sounds of everything from traditional Celtic music to totally original arrangements, there are a great deal of things to listen to. You'll hear penny whistles, spoons, shakers, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica, steel and nylon string guitar, bowed psaltery, banjo, bass and of course the fiddle among other instruments here.
A springy version of Rising of the Moon is a particularly light rendition, and the harmonies on this CD are very smooth. Different songs highlight different instruments, which keep things interesting throughout. The tender vocals on "Tis the Last Rose of Summer" were particularly lovely.
There are quite a few tracks (14, to be exact) to choose from here, and the contrast between the gentleness of songs like Last Rose (above) and the fun, rousing romps like "Black Velvet Band" give this compilation an interesting range. There is humour, depth and fun, so it should appeal to many, just like good Celtic music should!
Buy the Album: "Of Irish Crossings Told"
Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.
- Celtic MP3 Magazine
"Of Irish Crossings Told" by O'hAnleigh
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: O'hAnleigh
Album: "Of Irish Crossings Told"
Year produced: 2006
This CD has quite a fabulous variety of music, instruments and vocals. Highlighting the Irish-American sounds of everything from traditional Celtic music to totally original arrangements, there are a great deal of things to listen to. You'll hear penny whistles, spoons, shakers, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica, steel and nylon string guitar, bowed psaltery, banjo, bass and of course the fiddle among other instruments here.
A springy version of Rising of the Moon is a particularly light rendition, and the harmonies on this CD are very smooth. Different songs highlight different instruments, which keep things interesting throughout. The tender vocals on "Tis the Last Rose of Summer" were particularly lovely.
There are quite a few tracks (14, to be exact) to choose from here, and the contrast between the gentleness of songs like Last Rose (above) and the fun, rousing romps like "Black Velvet Band" give this compilation an interesting range. There is humour, depth and fun, so it should appeal to many, just like good Celtic music should!
Buy the Album: "Of Irish Crossings Told"
Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.
- Celtic MP3 Magazine
O’HANLEIGH, OF IRISH CROSSINGS TOLD ,
(Self-released, CD)
The songs and styles of Irish music are pretty much set in stone, making innovation a bit of a challenge. But Middlebury's O'hAnLeigh give it a go on their first album, Of Irish Crossings Told. The CD has garnered strong reviews from as far as Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands and Belarus. But über-traditionalists, take note: Only two of the 14 cuts feature any "rum-dum-dilly-ohs."
O'hAnLeigh came together at a St. Patrick's Day party in 2002, when veteran bar-band rocker Tom Hanley asked his then-12-year-old daughter Becca to join him for a few numbers. The collaboration went over so well, they decided to continue. Fiddler/singer Cindy Hill -- who also contributes bass, banjo, whistles and assorted percussion -- joined the following year.
Of Irish Crossings Told is full of lively numbers about Irish-American living. Occasionally the individual instruments don't mesh well, and the playing gets a bit ragged. Still, the songwriting by Hill and Hanley is strong and the vocals engaging.
The album kicks off with a delightful original called "Mike Muldowney." It tells the tale of Hanley's great-grandfather, who bought a ticket to America with money he was supposed to take home to his family. Hanley's burly baritone provides abundant character.
Becca Hanley, now 16, is a fine soprano. Her crystalline pipes set Crossings apart from other traditional music releases. A member of the Vermont All-State Chorus, she's already a powerful singer. As she gains experience and control, she'll no doubt become more so.
The younger Hanley shines on the disc's slower, prettier numbers such as the classics "Connemara by the Lake" and "Dawning of the Day." Her ethereal voice is also well suited for the O'hAnLeigh original"In the Town of Strabane," about a young woman's haunting disappearance near a "fairy tree."
Her dad tackles Celtic music's rowdier numbers, such as the traditional tunes "Irish Rover" and "Black Velvet Band." The latter's protagonist is betrayed by women and whiskey, the bane of many a pub crooner.
O'hAnLeigh's version of Mike Cross's "The Scotsman" takes a humorous look at what is, or isn't, worn underneath kilts. It makes for a pleasant diversion from Crossings' more orthodox fare.
With Of Irish Crossings Told, O'hAnLeigh add four new and evocative songs to a well-worn genre. Also, Irish-music fans would do well to keep an eye on Becca Hanley as her talent matures.
JEFFERY R. LINDHOLM
- Seven Days
O’HANLEIGH, OF IRISH CROSSINGS TOLD ,
(Self-released, CD)
The songs and styles of Irish music are pretty much set in stone, making innovation a bit of a challenge. But Middlebury's O'hAnLeigh give it a go on their first album, Of Irish Crossings Told. The CD has garnered strong reviews from as far as Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands and Belarus. But über-traditionalists, take note: Only two of the 14 cuts feature any "rum-dum-dilly-ohs."
O'hAnLeigh came together at a St. Patrick's Day party in 2002, when veteran bar-band rocker Tom Hanley asked his then-12-year-old daughter Becca to join him for a few numbers. The collaboration went over so well, they decided to continue. Fiddler/singer Cindy Hill -- who also contributes bass, banjo, whistles and assorted percussion -- joined the following year.
Of Irish Crossings Told is full of lively numbers about Irish-American living. Occasionally the individual instruments don't mesh well, and the playing gets a bit ragged. Still, the songwriting by Hill and Hanley is strong and the vocals engaging.
The album kicks off with a delightful original called "Mike Muldowney." It tells the tale of Hanley's great-grandfather, who bought a ticket to America with money he was supposed to take home to his family. Hanley's burly baritone provides abundant character.
Becca Hanley, now 16, is a fine soprano. Her crystalline pipes set Crossings apart from other traditional music releases. A member of the Vermont All-State Chorus, she's already a powerful singer. As she gains experience and control, she'll no doubt become more so.
The younger Hanley shines on the disc's slower, prettier numbers such as the classics "Connemara by the Lake" and "Dawning of the Day." Her ethereal voice is also well suited for the O'hAnLeigh original"In the Town of Strabane," about a young woman's haunting disappearance near a "fairy tree."
Her dad tackles Celtic music's rowdier numbers, such as the traditional tunes "Irish Rover" and "Black Velvet Band." The latter's protagonist is betrayed by women and whiskey, the bane of many a pub crooner.
O'hAnLeigh's version of Mike Cross's "The Scotsman" takes a humorous look at what is, or isn't, worn underneath kilts. It makes for a pleasant diversion from Crossings' more orthodox fare.
With Of Irish Crossings Told, O'hAnLeigh add four new and evocative songs to a well-worn genre. Also, Irish-music fans would do well to keep an eye on Becca Hanley as her talent matures.
JEFFERY R. LINDHOLM
- Seven Days
Mark Sustic Calendar, April 22, 2006
New recordings we think you should know about: O’Hanleigh (Green Cabin Music ) Of Irish Crossings Told. Anyone who noticed the late March/early April the top-selling CDs in the weekly Seven Days poll would have seen this one was at the top of the heap for several weeks running. And that’s not just the folk or traditional music category….. it did better than the Flaming Lips, James Blunt or Rob Zombie…. and all others! The group has also gotten air play on over 60 radio stations around the world. If nothing else this East Middlebury-based group has a thing or two to teach the folkies among us about marketing amidst the big girls and boys. The band got its start in early 2002 by performing at a St. Patrick’s Day event, and hasn’t stopped since. The new CD is a collection of traditional and original Irish-American songs and tunes….. ballads, sing-a-long pub songs in 2- and 3-part harmony, traditional fiddle tunes….. featuring Tom Hanley, his daughter Becca, and Cindy Hill, all with a staggering array of instruments and vocal harmonies. For ordering and other information contact the group at www.myspace.com/ohanleigh. If all you want to do is order the CD, try www.cdbaby.com.
- Mark Sustic Calendar CD Recommendations
Mark Sustic Calendar, April 22, 2006
New recordings we think you should know about: O’Hanleigh (Green Cabin Music ) Of Irish Crossings Told. Anyone who noticed the late March/early April the top-selling CDs in the weekly Seven Days poll would have seen this one was at the top of the heap for several weeks running. And that’s not just the folk or traditional music category….. it did better than the Flaming Lips, James Blunt or Rob Zombie…. and all others! The group has also gotten air play on over 60 radio stations around the world. If nothing else this East Middlebury-based group has a thing or two to teach the folkies among us about marketing amidst the big girls and boys. The band got its start in early 2002 by performing at a St. Patrick’s Day event, and hasn’t stopped since. The new CD is a collection of traditional and original Irish-American songs and tunes….. ballads, sing-a-long pub songs in 2- and 3-part harmony, traditional fiddle tunes….. featuring Tom Hanley, his daughter Becca, and Cindy Hill, all with a staggering array of instruments and vocal harmonies. For ordering and other information contact the group at www.myspace.com/ohanleigh. If all you want to do is order the CD, try www.cdbaby.com.
- Mark Sustic Calendar CD Recommendations
Martin Wright Radio 3ZZZ Collingwood, Victoria, Australia
Re: Of Irish Crossings Told
Our Irish/Gaelic broadcasters went out of control over this!! Aussie Irish can understand the feel of the lyrics and the true Celtic music almost as if they were written for the Irish immigration flow to Australia rather than that other place. If your toes don't tap to this CD you're dead.
- Radio 3ZZZ Australia
Martin Wright Radio 3ZZZ Collingwood, Victoria, Australia
Re: Of Irish Crossings Told
Our Irish/Gaelic broadcasters went out of control over this!! Aussie Irish can understand the feel of the lyrics and the true Celtic music almost as if they were written for the Irish immigration flow to Australia rather than that other place. If your toes don't tap to this CD you're dead.
- Radio 3ZZZ Australia
Discography
"Winds of Change" Green Cabin Music 2019
"Come to the Faire" Green Cabin Music 2019
"O'hAnleigh Live: Sumner Knight Concert Series" digital release March 5, 2013
"Farewell Roscommon" Green Cabin Music 2009
"Of Irish Crossings Told" Green Cabin Music 2006
All tracks are playing on country, celtic, world, and folk music programs in over 70 countries and 40 states at last count plus a long list of podcasts and webcasts.
Photos
Bio
O'hAnleigh is folk with roots that rock. From elegant weddings to mug-smashing pub sets, steampunk iron rails to renaissance woodland magic, history fairs to farmers markets, O'hAnleigh plays Irish-American music that hits home all over the world.
Ancestral roots and diverse musical talent blend to create lively and haunting rhythms of Irish-American culture that keep O'hAnleigh audiences' toes tapping and hands clapping from pubs to churches to concert halls across New England, on radio and around the globe. O'hAnleigh's peppy, upbeat sound is welcome at pubs, folk festivals, and family performances, and our unique emphasis on Irish literary traditions entertain the listener with rousing story-songs, but also leave a heightened sense of Irish-American culture and history.
O'hAnleigh's premier CD "Of Irish Crossings Told" featuring celt classics like Black Velvet Band and four all-original pieces is playing in over 32 countries, generating rave programmer and listener reviews (review clips below). O'hAnleigh's second CD, "Farewell Roscommon" is seeing increased digital distribution as O'hAnleigh moves into new global music markets.
Their third and fourth CDs, "Winds of Change" and "Come to the Faire" were released in 2019, and brought their original and authentic immigration-era music on tour in England.Their fifth disc, "Faerie Tales" was also released in 2019, featuring two new children's songs and a selection of story-song favorites from their other albums. All profits from Faerie Tales are donated to the Vermont Fairy Tale Festival, a family literary event sponsored by the Vermont State Libraries.
Tom Hanley, a second-generation Irishman descended of immigrants from Counties Laois and Roscommon, performed with bar rock bands since the early 1970's. When asked by a social organization to perform some Irish music at a St. Patricks Day event in 2002, he enlisted his then 12-year-old daughter Becca, counting on her ethereal soprano to evoke visions of Ireland past. For the next year, Tom and Becca performed at fairs, Irish clubs, farmers markets, and social events.
In early 2003, fiddler Cindy Hill joined the father-daughter team. Cindys ancestors hail from Counties Tyrone and Limerick. Her musical credentials range from school orchestra and chorus to a succession of party rock bands, and her interest in traditional Celtic music sprang from her long political activism in the Irish independence movement. Cindy brings a knowledge of Celtic mythology and legends to the band along with her multi-instrumental talents.
In 2019, Matt Bean, a veteran of Mark Sustic's Fiddleheads program and Vermont bands from Trinity to Longford Row to the Cop Outs, joined forces with O'hAnleigh, adding to the band's vocal harmonies, fiddle tunes and array of other stringed instruments.
From classic Gaelic ballads to rollicking pub songs, Irish-American tin pan alley tunes to traditional dance sets, songs of rebellion to songs of love and loss, OhAnleighs vocal talents combine to create the unique OhAnleigh sound, supported with a dazzling array of instruments including 6 and 12 string guitars, bouzouki, mandolin, bass, fiddle, tenor banjo, penny whistles, harmonica, bowed psaltery, dulcimer, autoharp, bodhrans, bones, spoons, and a whole assortment of other small percussion, much of it hand-made out of odd bits of things found in the garage to get just the right sound for a particular song.
O'hAnleigh's playlist now numbers in the hundreds, including a hearty dose of rebel tunes and a growing list of original pieces, as the band composes music and lyrics to expand the Irish-American folk genre. Their performances are noted for the rapid-fire pace of their song list, as well-rehearsed instrument changes and dramatic or humourous pieces of the spoken word (Irish poetry) blend one song into the next for a non-stop set of musical energy.
Here's what they are saying about the disc:
Our Irish/Gaelic broadcasters went out of control over Of Irish Crossings Told!! Aussie Irish can understand the feel of the lyrics and the true Celtic music almost as if they were written for the Irish immigration flow to Australia rather than that other place. If your toes don't tap to this CD, you're dead. Martin Wright, Program Director, 3ZZZ Collingwood Victoria Australia
Excellent playing, good tunes... The whole disc is good. Its getting 2-3 spins a week! Our favs seem to be Rising of the Moon and Connemara by the Lake. John Ziegler, Program Director, KUMD Duluth MN USA
This groups' music is sensational! Jerre Haskew, The Cumberland Trio, Tennessee USA
Band Members
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