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| With
their latest release, Hill of Sallows, Beyond the Pale continues
to receive positive reviews and encouragement from around the
world. Here's just a few...... |
Philadelphia
Inquirer Interview |
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| The
PhantomTollbooth |
| In the past
ten years or so there has been a resurgence in interest in the
old Celtic Church and along with it a renewal of interest in
Celtic music as well. Add to that list of names, Beyond the
Pale. On this their second album, Hill of Sallows named after
the site of the first church founded by Saint Patrick, the band
shows why they are one of the best. The tunes on this collection
are a combination of traditional and original compositions--the
old are blended effortlessly with the new. The music on this
album is perfect and makes me want to spend the night with good
friends in a nice Irish pub talking about theology and music
over a pint and a pipe. The dedication on the album bears repeating.
"This CD is dedicated to the souls who have chosen persecution
over denial... to follow Christ even to martyrdom... love over
hate... and truth above all." If more artists had this mind
set while putting out music of this quality the world would
be a better place at least for a little bit. --- Chris MacIntosh
ThePhantomTollbooth.org
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| Irish
Music Magazine |
BEYOND THE PALE – HILL
OF SALLOWS
The term Beyond the Pale refers to the medieval dominions of
the English in Ireland. Beyond the Pale is also the name of
a five piece US band consisting of Stephen Dowdall, Marc and
Julie Hamer, Matthew Burke and Hannah Stevenson. Their second
album Hill of Sallows finds them musically alternating between
world/folk fusions and subtle blasts of folk-rock in between
more straight traditionally flavoured moments. The Pennslyvania
based outfit delivered an impressive debut album Beyond The
Pale some three years ago and Hill of Sallows continues their
acoustic Celtic flavoured odyssey. Beyond the Pale delivers
a distinctive slant on the neo-Celtic theme with strong distinctive
vocals and a fresh melodic sound blending folk, soft rock and
traditional music. Instrumentally a tad laid back when compared
to the all out pyrotechnics of many other US Celtic outfits,
fiddler/banjoist Matthew Burke pens some intriguing tunes such
as The White Violin and The Agreement while Toss The Feathers
and Captain O’Kane benefit from subtle readings. Julie Hamer’s
flutes add suitably winsome touches to Come to the Bower and
Farewell to Aughtore. The latter is a stunning emigration travelogue
penned in 1879 by John Doherty a relation of singer Stephen
Dowdall. The Corrs–esque treatment of Come To the Bower puts
a new light on an old ballad boom chestnut while Take Away walks
similar folk /pop waters. At times BTP inhabit a Celtic/Christian
idiom lyrically, which puts them in league with Maire Brennan/Iona
and similarly inclined US bands like Chicago’s The Crossing.
Musically Beyond The Pale work in solid earthly grounded waters.
Hill of Sallows is a refreshing blast of Celtic Americana at
its most inventive. ---John O'Regan -
Irish
Music Mag |
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| CelticChristianTunes.com
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| This recording marks
Beyond The Pale as a leader among Celtic Christian musicians,
and it will rest on the shelf among my favorite albums (when
it isn't spinning, anyway). --Cory C. Engel CelticChristianTunes.com
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