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Live CD "Drunk, Sick, Tired" named a Best CD of 2011
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The Langer's Ball new Live CD "Drunk, Sick, Tired" was named a Best Celtic Punk/Celtic Rock Release ...The Langer's Ball new Live CD "Drunk, Sick, Tired" was named a Best Celtic Punk/Celtic Rock Release of 2011 by both PaddyRock.com and Shite'n'Onions. This is the 3rd time The Langer's Ball have had a CD listed on a Paddy Rock "Best of List" and the 2nd time a CD has made both lists.
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One of the best of 2009
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Ship's Are Sailing is the second album from The Langer's Ball following 2008's "As I Roved Out." Thi...Ship's Are Sailing is the second album from The Langer's Ball following 2008's "As I Roved Out." This time we are treated with a great diversity of instruments, such as the snare drum in The McGrath set. And it does not stop there, you get everything and the Kitchen sink in this one, and I'm sure Hannah could make it rock. Whenever I form an opinion on music, I need to listen to it multiple times from start to finish to really appreciate it. Rarely can I just pop in something and just be taken in by it. So I took a listen to Ship's Are Sailing once, nearly an hour of music.
Holy hot damn, this is good. There is nothing redundant about this album (a big pet peeve of mine band's tend to do.) The musicianship is some of the best I've ever heard, and really is the highlight of the album for me. This one is going on my ipod and phone which for me means something is getting deleted, yeah its really that good. Let's just take a look at some of the tracks here:
Patriot Game. This is by far the best version I've heard, no question. You'll get chills from the soft ghostly sound of the steel lap guitar. Michael Strum's voice is on this track is outstanding. Not only can he pull off the rugged sound on other tracks, but he has a sublime singing voice.
The Sailors Return. I'm a big fan of this one because one of my favorite things about this album stands out, the instrumentals, and I'm a big fan of the bodhran!
The Titanic A great storytelling song. The clarinet in this one really set's the mood well.
A Rainy Night In Soho. I tend to get a bit apprehensive when trying to review a Pogues cover, I tend to set my standers on that through the roof, but when upon hearing this I was not disappointed.
Whiskey from The Still. Right here we are getting a bit into a country music feel almost. I'm not talking the water down pop you hear now, I mean it has a real nice country feel to it. It's a really fun song and well done.
We also have a Rock Road To Dublin cover, and I'm A Man You Don't Meet Every Day with backing vocals from Karie Oberg.both of which are good covers.
In conclusion this is one of the best Cd's I've heard in 2009. It's worth every penny and I highly recommend it. Christmas 2009 is right around the corner, these will make great stocking stuffer's. So for once why not get a gift someone will not want to take back!
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"Best CD's of 2009"
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#11 on Paddyrock.com "Top 20 Celtic Rock & Punk CD's of 2009".
Special Mention From Shite 'n' Oni...#11 on Paddyrock.com "Top 20 Celtic Rock & Punk CD's of 2009".
Special Mention From Shite 'n' Onions "Top 10 Celtic Punk & Rock CD's of 2009".
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The Langer's Ball - "Ships Are Sailing"
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Where their previous release “As I Roved Out” may have caused a ripple in the water… “Ships Are Sail...Where their previous release “As I Roved Out” may have caused a ripple in the water… “Ships Are Sailing” will be the release sending waves crashing into the rocks and leaving it’s mark on the Celtic/Folk music scene. Michael and Hannah have taken their diverse musical talents to the next level on this release with Melodic vocals that intertwine to perfection as heard on “I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day”… a gritty country ramble with “Whiskey From The Still” & “The Tinker’s Fiddler”… a cool little gypsy mix on “The Titanic” & “The Sailor’s Return”… and even a Pogues track done very well with “Rainy Night in Soho”. This is a really solid release that will have you tapping your foot, singing along, and is just great listening here. Pick this one up… and even put it in your jukebox at the pub.
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Review - The Langer’s Ball - Ships Are Sailing
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Bonnie exclaims: The problem with really loving a band, and especially with being nuts over the memb...Bonnie exclaims: The problem with really loving a band, and especially with being nuts over the members personally, is that when they send us a CD to listen to, I’m terrified. What if I can’t stand it? What if it’s awful, and I feel ethically obligated to tear it apart? Thanks to everything holy, The Langer’s Ball did not put me in that position. We really adore Hannah Rediske and Michael Sturm here at Celtophilia, and they keep giving us more reasons to do it. The duo’s second album is called Ships Are Sailing, and I’m tempted to have it surgically implanted into my forehead. Okay, not really, because that’s pointless and gross and vaguely impossible, but you get the idea. It’s good stuff people.
Despite what the name suggests, Ships are Sailing is not solely a collection of seafaring tunes. The content ranges from songs about being transported, to the sinking of the Titanic, to sailing songs, a drinking song, and even a rainy night love song. It sounds like it ought to be chaotic and fragmented,
but somehow it’s a cohesive and compelling whole.
My two favorite things about The Langer’s Ball are Michael’s vocals and Hannah’s ability to make the piano accordion awesome, so when they are combined on the performance of one of my all time favorite rebel songs, I am ecstatic. Despite my one little issue with their arrangement of Patriot Game (where’d the verse about De Valera go? Why does everyone let that guy off the hook?) It’s a tragically beautiful version of a powerful song.
The Sailor’s Return is one of the best instrumental songs by a Celtic band that I have ever listened to over and over. I am easily bored by many instrumentals and it’s rare that one will pique my interest, particularly if it’s nestled in amongst songs with actual words. This track is also a rarity in that it employs some environmental sounds that don’t annoy the daylights out of me - in this case some unobtrusive thunderstorms placed at the beginning and end of the tune that add to the overall appeal of the song
without being distracting.
The Titanic is a charmingly strange, throw-the-kitchen-sink-in-there-might-as-well, kind of song. It’s nautical, it’s sort of Celtic, it’s dark and morbid, yet it’s upbeat. I can’t explain it, I can only love it with a great and terrible passion. I certainly didn’t think that it would turn out to be one of the best songs on the CD, but it is.
I have been looking forward to this album pretty much since the moment I listened to the last song on The Langer’s Ball’s first album, and that is no lie. I fell hard for this band at first listen, and after hearing Ships are Sailing, I remain smitten.
Mike proclaims: It’s no secret that Celtophilia loves, The Langer’s Ball. We have featured them here multiple times, reviewing their debut album which was arguably the best CD to be released last year, interviewing, and posting news of Michael and Hannah whenever we can get it. So obviously, we couldn’t have been happier to hear news of a new album on the way.
Ships Are Sailing continues on all the good things that were started in last year’s As I Roved Out, and builds on that formidable foundation to present a CD that will be a standout in everyone’s collection for years to come. I can tell you honestly, I’ll be listening to Ships Are Sailing exclusively for the next few weeks. There’s just nothing here not to love.
Since I do love trad songs, all my favorites from Ships Are Sailing trend in that direction. Botany Bay is a perennial favorite, and every one I hear is my new favorite version. The one presented here puts all others to shame, though. Upbeat, with Michael’s somewhat rough vocals, make this a full-on Celtic Rock song, which is a bit of a departure from the last CD. I’ll offer as my sole criticism for the entire CD, though, several liberties were taken with the traditional lyrics. It’s weak tea as criticisms go, though, because I love the song anyway.
Sam Hall, another trad piece which is more than a little reminiscent of Ye Jacobites By Name, or Captain Kidd, I like for its martial sound, despite being another “I’m going off to die now” song at its heart, with the added twist that Sam seems quite angry at the arrangement, rather than mournful. It’s angry, defiant, and fierce.
The song that totally blows me away, though, is at the very end of the CD, and highlights what I’ve come to love the most about The Langer’s Ball. I’ve heard I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day at least a dozen ways, but I’ve never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever… ever, ever, heard it done this well. This song is always quaintly pretty, but with the male and female vocals intertwining, it becomes magical.
If I leave you with no other impression, let it be this. You are not going to want to miss this CD. The Langer’s Ball has done the impossible, and made a CD better than their first. It releases on July 25th, but is available for pre-order at their website at www.thelangersball.com Go order it, or you will be missing out on some of the best Celtic music that will be released this year.
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The Langer's Ball - Ships Are sailing
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I used to have a roommate from Cork city at one point who’s favorite term of endearment/insult was t...I used to have a roommate from Cork city at one point who’s favorite term of endearment/insult was to call a person a “Langer” - not being a Cork man, I’m still not exactly sure what a langer is, but I think it’s a guys third leg. That been said then “Langer’s Ball” is a really great name for a band! Our friends here on “Ships are Sailing” are a 2 piece - with some help from their friends - from deepest MN playing Irish folk standards with an growl, a scowl and tattoos to match. If you’re looking for straight-ahead, no-frills Irish ballads with just a hint of razor blades, safety pins and American rock 'n' roll this is for you.
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The Langer's Ball, As I Roved Out
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"My luck – and yours-continues to hold out, as the Twin Cities continues to boast a vital base of Ir..."My luck – and yours-continues to hold out, as the Twin Cities continues to boast a vital base of Irish musicians who continue to percolate just under the radar. Add this relatively new duet to that invaluable resource now.
Formed just a year ago, Langer’s Ball is really just a duet – Michael Sturm on guitar, mando, and vocals and Hannah Rediske on piano accordion and the penny whistle. But you’ll likely be fooled when you hear this album – released in July – as in fact the pair plays a full lineup of instruments that will have you wondering if there isn’t really an entire band working behind them.
Opening with Steve Earle’s “Galway Girl,” the duo sets off on an assured set of both traditional and more contemporary songs that is a treasure from beginning to end. “Raglan Road” especially features Sturm’s appealing baritone on Patrick Kavanaugh’s poem set to the pipe band favorite “Dawning of the Day”; the title tune – yet another lament on frustrated passions features singer Jennifer Ordalen – Shows off the pair’s assured instrumental prowess; and their version of “Star of the County Down” might now be my favorite – they offer just exactly the right amount of urgent longing, and Sturm sounds like he just might really have a chance to win the winsome Rosie. And their take on Eric Bogle’s “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,” a newly timely anti-war song, strikes the perfect ironic tone of hero worship, warrior bravado and chagrin.
They’re playing all over the region this fall – The Dubliner, Paddy’s, Kips, Charlie’s – try to catch them while you can still get a seat close to the stage.
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CD Review - The Langer's Ball - "As I Roved Out"
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"Just when you couldn’t get enough of the duo’s in Rock with the White Stripes… we now have a great ..."Just when you couldn’t get enough of the duo’s in Rock with the White Stripes… we now have a great young Celtic Trad. duo within Hannah Rediske (Accordion, Recorders, & Penny Whistles) and Michael Sturm (Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica & Vocals) putting down some really good tunes. “As I Roved Out” is a stripped down CD to the roots with both strong vocals and skillful instrumentation. This is great pub music… when you want to wind down with friends to sing along with some songs, dance with the one you’re with, or even just have some good music to make the pints go down. Cheers to Langer’s Ball for sending me their disc. It was very refreshing."
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"Best CD's of 2008"
"Special Mention, Best CD's of 2008"
-Paddy Rock Radio
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Review - The Langer's Ball, "As I Roved Out"
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"Bonnie asserts: I love Celtic music, which I’m sure everyone who is reading this can easily tell. A..."Bonnie asserts: I love Celtic music, which I’m sure everyone who is reading this can easily tell. All sorts of styles, traditional, original, bagpipes, or punk and rock influenced, I love it. However, sometimes when I listen to an album I just feel completely privileged to have the opportunity to fall in love with a new band and share that feeling with anyone who stops by here. This is undoubtedly the case when it comes to The Langer’s Ball. This dynamic duo (cue Batman and Robin theme song) blew me away right from the first track to the last one.
Michael Sturm and Hannah Rediske have been performing together since July 2007, and their album As I Roved Out was released in July 2008. Michael provides lead vocals, and plays guitar and mandolin. Hannah plays penny whistle and plays the hell out of the piano accordion. If you think you don’t like the accordion, do yourself a favor and let her change your mind, you won’t regret it.
Somehow I had never heard The Galway Girl before, and I’m glad that this is the first version that I was exposed to. Michael Sturm has got amazing pipes - the vocal kind, not the bagpipe or the smoking sort. His voice is so expressive and smoother than silk to boot. Every note and word sounds effortless, and emotionally invested. He sings as if he’s sitting right next to you telling you a story.
Jigs is a lively instrumental arrangement featuring guitar and penny whistle. You’re likely to involuntarily smile, close your eyes, tap your foot, and sway in time with the music. I don’t know much about playing the guitar, and less about the penny whistle, but this has to be a difficult piece to perform - and they make it sound easy.
And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is a damn near perfect balance of vocals and accordion. This already poignant song hits me harder these days, with young men and women coming home from the wars scarred in body and mind, or not coming home at all. This track is almost nine minutes long, and I sat completely enthralled through three consecutive plays, trying unsuccessfully not to bawl my eyes out. It’s lovely and eerie and heartbreaking, I don’t know how anyone could play it better.
I didn’t note a favorite track on this album, pretty much because I was so awed by several of the songs that I couldn’t choose only one. The Galway Girl, Ragland Road, As I Roved Out, and And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda are definitely on the list. Also, for the first time in a while, I am pleased to be able to compliment a CD’s production. As I Roved Out sounds fairly close to as good as the last major record label CD I bought … you know, before I discovered online music stores.
I’d hate to be known as the girl who cried, well, not wolf. I guess the girl the cried “Woo Hoo! Awesome Band!” Okay, I changed my mind. I’m kind of alright with that. Seriously, I feel justified in telling you to check out The Langer’s Ball post haste, with alacrity, right freaking now. If my shouting doesn’t convince you then check out their photos. Drastically adorable, the pair of them. See that? They sound just as good as they look don’t they?
Mike puts forth: Astute readers will note something about The Langer’s Ball. You’ve seen them on Celtophilia before. Indeed, we did an interview with The Langer’s Ball back at the end of July. Then, the idea was that this review would be released shortly afterward. People, sometimes things just don’t go the way I plan them. Here’s the bad part. I forgot. We posted the interview, and if you had asked me, I would have sworn we posted the review as well. Then, a week or two ago I got an email from Michael, who gave me the very polite and eloquent equivalent of “WTF, mate?” Words can barely express how bad I feel, because truly, our readers deserve to know that this is an amazing album.
Michael Sturm and Hannah Rediske are incredibly gifted instrumentalists, and although they have only been playing together for a little more than a year, they exhibit the kind of skill and polish that I would expect out of a band with much more time under their belts. As I Roved Out is a tremendous example of their hard work and dedication to the craft, and I stand amazed. Okay, I sit amazed. You get what I’m saying, anyway. Everything is wonderful, but one thing that I will point out as particularly wonderful from a technical standpoint is the way that the flute was recorded. Most of the time, there is a tendency to get a really rough, airy sound from wind instruments, but here it is beautiful, full, and extremely clean sounding.
Now, I’ll say a word or two about particular songs. And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is a hidden gem of a song. At eight and a half minutes, it’s really like sitting and listening to an old soldier tell his story, and it never gets boring. It’s a beautiful, heart-breaking tale, and yes, I know it’s hard to reconcile those two things. If you’ve never heard it, START WITH THIS ONE. Michael’s voice really does amazing things with this song. It is easily my favorite track on the CD.
The title track of the CD, As I Roved Out, really captures the spirit of both the band and the CD. It showcases both band member’s voices, Michael’s guitar, and Hannah’s accordion to fantastic effect. The Galway Girl, too, is a fantastic representation of these guys at their best. It is gorgeously arranged, and is one of the songs I would really like to hear them perform live. (Note to Bonnie: Road Trip?)
Because I like to pretend that all my reviews are completely objective, I’ll tell you one thing negative about the CD. The tracks “Slides” and “Polkas” were very hard for me to get into. They’re quality stuff, but really nearing the outside range of stuff that I can listen to for hours on end.
If you want more info about this stellar band, check out their website at http://www.thelangersball.com/, and of course, you can at CDBaby. I am also including their reverbnation widget below, so check that out and get a sampling of what The Langer’s Ball is all about. You won’t regret it."
