Calliope House

Calliope House - Splendid Isolation

The Players:

THEA RAPP: FLUTE, WHISTLE, VOCAL
KATHY DAGG: CITTERN, MANDOLIN, OCTAVE MANDOLIN, BOUZOUKI, GUITAR, ACCORDION, AND VOCALS
WAYNE CANTWELL: VIOLIN, IRISH TENOR BANJO, GUITAR, MANDOLIN, VOCALS
JACQUE RAPP: HAMMERED DULCIMER, KEYBOARD

The Music:

1. KILLAVIL JIG
2. LADY ISHABEL AND HER PARROT
3. DOWN THE BRAE/GALLAGHER'S FROLICS/SPLENDID ISOLATION
4. THE GREAT SILKIE OF SULE SKERRY
5. SCATTER THE MUD/MOONCOIN JIG
6. MISS HAMILTON
7. I BURIED ME WIFE AND DANCED ON TOP OF HER
8. ROVING GALWAY BOY/TREES DO GROW HIGH
9. PIPE ON THE HOB/HAG AT THE CHURN/HUMOURS OF TULLAH
10. BONNIE WOODHALL
11. COOLEY'S/TAM LIN
12. THE COCK AND THE HEN
13. LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN
14. THE TRAVELER/SLIABH RUSSELL

Web Site:

http://www.calliopehouse.us

The Review

by Nathan Sanders, Stringband.com

Splendid!!... Oh alright, sorry about opening with the word, but I couldn't resist. Yet, the new CD from the Oklahoma City-based band Calliope House is a splendid collection of beautiful Celtic melodies and hauntingly beautiful music. You just may want to isolate yourself somewhere and relax to the soothing sounds of the flute, dulcimer, fiddle, and other various instruments. The listener will even be delighted to hear a few vocals from the band, mostly from Thea Rapp with her sultry and sometimes mysterious voice. She plays a mean flute too. Of particular note on this CD is the song The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry, a familiar piece to fans of Celtic music. Splendid Isolation is a fine collection of both lively tunes and relaxing melodies. The recording quality is really nice, providing the listener a nice warm, fuzzy feeling. Overall, I'd say the album has a sort of New Age type of sound, yet with strong hints of a traditional nature on most of the tunes. Yes, you have your typical stringed instruments (fiddle, guitar, bouzouki, tenor banjo and such) but you also have the ethereal sounds of the flute and strong accompaniment of an electric piano at times. You will not be disappointed. Visit the Calliope House web site and find out how to get your own copy today!