Lenahan - Celtic Rock Band

DIRTY LINEN, The Reel World - Tom Nelligan

Lenahan is a long-running Celtic rock band fronted by singer, guitarist, and piper Tom Lenahan. On Brand New Bag [Clandestine Celtic Records 2002], this New York-based group mixes straight bagpipe folk-rock that's based around rousing Highland pipes with assorted genre-mixing fusion music.The former is prime rock 'n' reel, the pipes joined by fiddle, electric guitar , bass, and drums on mostly original trad-style tunes, while the latter comes in several flavors. For example, "The Piper's Got a Brand New Bag" borrows tongue in cheek from the classic James Brown soul hit, "Marie" finds a Latin horn section trading leads with bagpipes on a tale of intercultural romance, and "Nothin' is a gritty electric blues, again with pipes wailing throrugh the breaks...on the whole, the concept is a lot of fun.

THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD TIMES, February 20, 2003 - Julian Wise

CELTIC ROCK WARMS ISLAND NIGHT

The New York quartet Lenahan offered a welcome respite from the midwinter chill this past weekend with their rollicking brand of Celtic rock. Blending country, calypso, Irish jigs and reels, funk and power-chord rock, Lenahan turned the Offshore into a high-spirited haven from the gloom of an icy February night.

Lead singer/guitarist/bagpiper Tom Lenahan played genial host to the evening's festivities. He combined musical proficiency with comic insouciance as he switched between guitar, bagpipesm and tin whistle. His lyrics captured the trademark blend of whimsy and pathos inherent in Irish music. Fiddler Clarence Ferrari displayed stunning dexterity as he pulled off lightening runs up and down the fret board. Drummer Ryan Cavan pounded out muscular beats behind Brendan O'Grady's firm, melodic bass playing.

The band was able to pull of a melange of styles that might have sounded cluttered and incongruous in less skilled hands. "Guinness as Usual" is a country-twang number about the solace that can be found in a frothy brew. "Piper's Got a Brand New Bag" is a playful reworking of the James Brown chestnut, featuring a bagpips solo over chicken-scratch guitar riffs. "Marie" is a credible stab at ska, while several instrumental jams fuse reggae, blues, and country stomps that encouraged dancing.

The bagpipe may be the most under-appreciated instrument in rock; its ethereal drone and piercing melodies groove lock into the guitar-bass-drum groove with a mesmerizing effect. At times Mr. Lenahan coaxed the seductive squeal of the saxophone out of the instrument.

Lenahan's off-Island accolades have included six consecutive ASCAP Songwriter Awards, Best International Irish Band in Ireland & the U.K., and two sold-out concerts at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Their latest album, "Brand New Bag!" made the 2002 John Shelton Ivany Top 21 Albums list. Kudos to the Offshore for booking this talented band in the depths on winter. Hopefully this will be the first of many Lenahan performances on the Island.

THE IRISH EDITION, March 2002 - Jamie O'Brien

LENAHAN
Brand New Bag!
(Clandestine Records)

What a way to open an album: Celto-funk-rap. Lenahan excels with a brilliantly conceived variation on James Brown meets the High Reel - a wonderful marriage of an arrangement. And that's just the start. Stand by for straight up rock, a \touch of ska, and a lot more as Tom Lenahan (various instruments), Clarence Ferrari (guitar, fiddle), Ryan Cavan (drums) and Jim Nordstrom and Brendan O'Grady (bass), along with a handful of guests, once again refuse to be categorized, and drawing on influences and styles from all over, stamp them with their own distinctive print and defy you to just sit there. Impossible.

There's an energy here that is catching. From rap to reggae to down-home country, I'm never sure how much of the music is tongue in cheek and how much is a statement. "Islands in the Storm" and the re-working of "New York Lullaby" set out successfully to make a point. But the honky-tonking "Guinness as Usual" and "Marie,"with its step dance accompaniment, certainly raise a smile. But more than that. The band show an incredible sensitivity to melody and acoustic sounds especially on a track like "Haven Green"as they join forces with harpist Debbie Brewin-Wilson and Justin Murphy (flute & whistle).

Lenahan set out to make another fine album, their fourth to date. And guess what - its worked.

Splendid E-zine reviews: Lenahan: Brand New Bag! April 8, 2002

Although St. Patrick’s Day has passed, it’s never too late to break out the Guinness and the bagpipes and join in the festivities. And what could be a better combination than that? How about adding a little James Brown and Bob Marley into the mix? Take a leap of faith with me and hear me out: these unusual pairings of traditional Irish instruments and reggae/rock/ska elements make Brand New Bag! a stunningly unique listen.

Ever wonder what the Godfather of Soul meant when he said "Papa’s gotta brand new bag"? I'll assume that he probably didn’t mean bagpipes, per se, but it works for Lenahan. The disc's first track, "The Piper’s Got A Brand New Bag Pt. 1", is a bizarre revision of the James Brown classic. Bagpipes blare through the intro, with the rest of the funky rhythm section strutting and swaggering along behind them. While it seems unusual to combine classic funk tunes with bagpipes, Lenahan pull it off, drily delivering the quirky lyrics over a myriad of eclectic instrumentation. "The piper's got a brand new bag / And now he’s got it made / He ain’t getting up at no 7 o’clock to march in no parade." Lenahan might be on to something: Pipers are the pimp daddies of the Emerald Isles.

What would a Celtic-rock album be without a classic drinking song? No worries, lads, there won’t be any tears shed over last call. Take "Guinness As Usual", a timeless break-up tune that uses business jargon to explain why the protagonist had to close-up shop on the relationship. Never mind the heart-ache and pain; Guinness will always be there for you, even after your sweetie ditches you for some other football hooligan.

"Rebel Song" starts off with a catchy tin whistle and quick drumming, but slows into a melancholic battle cry. This track stands out as Brand New Bag!'s most typical Irish tune, with the violin playing in unison with the tin whistle. While Lenahan demonstrate that they can fuse the most unlikely musical genres with ease, "Rebel Song" pays homage to their primary influence, Irish culture.

Instead of relying on the luck of the Irish, Lenahan demonstrate magnificent musical craftsmanship through their skillful playing and genre-fusing creative talents. Brand New Bag! will leave you wondering what the next big musical crossover will be: Bach and Billy Ray Cyrus? Ray Brown and Matmos? Leave that to the experts. -- Melissa Morris

CELTIC BEAT MAGAZINE, April 2002 - Joanne Gagnon

Lenahan, Brand New Bag
Clandestine Celtic Records, 2002

Lenahan’s new CD Brand New Bag! is his finest and most diverse yet. Musical influence from a wide variety of genres such as Blues, Celtic, Reggae and more are masterfully arranged in this CD where tunes which range from fierce instrumentals to expressive vocals…and then there’s the piping. Indeed, Tom Lenahan has got to be the most creative piper ever! His piping abilities and repertoire are incredible.

Is there any genre of music that he cannot play on the bagpipes? I don’t think so…and this CD really reinforces that. Check out the exotic pieces such as “Marie” (where Lenahan also does vocals Jamaican style) and a grand tune called “Bernoulli’s Feet” fastpaced and really rockin’ as it progresses. His piping really shines on “Phukktifano” and on the title cut “The Piper’s Got a Brand New Bag” with it’s wild, and interspersed with vocal rap. Country and Western come in on “Guinness as Usual,” a catchy tune to even line dance to and the emotions run high on “Haven Green,” one of the most beautiful pieces on the CD with pipes and harp playing a gorgeous melody that will surely move your heart. And on the other side of town, there’s the tough guy song, “Nothin” where Lenahan’s connection to Blues is evident.

Yes, great artistry and diversity reign here.

Lenahan’s “Brand New Bag”

This CD is truly an uncanny mix of multicultural influences. From bagpipes, guitars, trumpets and drums, these groups of musicians truly can say that their influences span the globe. It’s an interesting blend of songs picked for the CD. The change in musical genres might be a bit too much for those music listeners who can’t run and chew gum at the same time. However, the scope that is shown by the group is very interesting. From “The Piper’s got a Brand New Bag” and it’s country sound, to the reggae guitars flavoring “Marie”, the state-fair rock feel of “Guinness as Usual”, each spiced with a kick of bagpipes.

The ‘traditional’ Irish songs are truly worth the CD for those who love basic meat and potatoes type music. “No Go” is one of the best songs on the LP. The lyrics stream a fun loving story, placed right on top of a music that will take you right into a pub on the shores of Ireland. Along with delicate musical instrumental pieces like “Haven Green” this is music for any Celtic lover.

Yolanda Best
SexyAmerica.com

Shortie Reviews K-O @ Score! Music Magazine
Lenahan - Brand New Bag

Notable Lyric “I’ll not be singing songs tonight, like The Rising of The Moon. In fact my entire repertoire’s gone badly out of tune. For it’s peace broke out in Belfast, just this very afternoon and who wants a rebel song now boys. Who wants a rebel song now?”

Factoid Lenahan recently sold out two concerts at The JFK Center for the Performing Arts in DC.
Serve With A pint of Black and Tan and that hot Irish brogue. Comments Everything from bagpipes, folk and reggae to rock, blues, rap and country. Probably one the most diverse CDs I've ever heard...It's pretty darned amazing! Best yet, I received this CD just in time for St. Patrick's Day! - Reviewer Kimmie (03/02)

ARTIST: Lenahan GREEN
ALBUM: Brand New Bag
LABEL: Clandestine Celtic Records
RELEASED: March 2002

There's a little switch on the side of the Neumann U87 microphone for a setting called "unidirectional." Once enabled, the mic is capable of capturing sounds from all sides as opposed to just those directly in front of it. There's a grand correlation between this setting and NYC-based artist/group Lenahan.

Tom Lenahan has gained notoriety for his adept piping and vocalizing; his band, for its proficient execution of Celtic jigs, reels and singing songs... The musical genres visited are represented with expertise and talent, as if each one was the artist's lifework.

Brand New Bag," the title track, is 60's funk ala James Brown, fused with traditional-sound bagpiping, the hook, of course being a paean to Papa himself - "Piper's Got A Brand New Bag". ...the song is lyrically clever...an entertaining blend of two opposing musical paths, and that's not an easy task.

"Marie" follows and takes us to tropical islands where pipers lazily sway under palm trees with their Guinness & rum chasers. "Islands in the Storm" brings us back to this comfortable setting, after first swingin' through Texas, ("Guinness as Usual"), and then lilting over the motherlands with two Celtic-flavored numbers, "No Go," and "Haven Green." "Bernoulli's Feet," "Phuktifano" and "One For Davy" keep us across the pond with plenty of Irish/Scottish spirit, obviously where this band started. But no sooner do I assume that than I'm dunked in slow blues with "Nothin," fast blues-rock with "Candle and the Flame," and finally laid to drip-dry with a western Willie-type thing called "New York Lullaby." Whew!

Some listeners will no doubt run drooling for their Ipods and turn this collection into three separate successful shorties. But I have to say let it roll. There's enough 12-song albums out there that put me to sleep after the fourth tune. ...this one keeps you alert, wondering about the next stop. Rock, reel, sway, and roll on, Lenahan.

And, oh, how they danced...

DIRTY LINEN, U.S.A. , June/July 1999

Lenahan Hooligans in Suits
[Musikfolk, Ltd. MFCD515 (1998)]

In many ways Lenahan defines the word Celtic rock. For this particular set of tracks, the New York based band reeled out in a captivating performance which was recorded live at Britain's Gosport Easter Festival.

On a few of the sedate selections, Tom Lenahan's piping swirls with channeling passion as if to nudge pagan dieties from their sleep. On the other tracks, the rousing, spirited piping, along with the joyous guitar and rhythm section, ensures that these dieties aren't about to return to their slumber.

It's an intoxicating set of tracks-fiddles dancing with pipes, pipes dancing with fiddles, guitars come thundering in while the pennywhistle spins & pirouettes.

A couple of tracks are straight-ahead Chicago rhythm 'n' green rockers, without the attitude, but mustered with enough grit to bring back memories of wet T-shirt contests and $3 pitchers.

Lenahan achieves a perfect balance - they're not Americans pretending to be Irish, nor are they banal rockers striking ridiculous poses in spandex. Simply put, Lenahan is Celtic rock. (DW)

THE IRISH EDITION, U.S.A.
March 1999
Jamie O'Brien

HOOLIGANS IN SUITS
LENAHAN
(Clandestine Records CR 218)

It starts with a very different "Teetotaler," moves through "Maid Behind the Bar," shifting gears upwards the whole time. There is no let up - it even takes to the end of track five to get to the introductions on this live album!

Not clever tricks and the like, but just downright great playing. One moment, its Ireland all the way, the next you could be in a club on the Southside. From reels to twelve-bar blues and back to jigs, Lenahan knows which way is right.

Mike Kilmer, bass, and Rich Graziano, drums, lay down perfect rhythms, moving easily between the blues and the greesm giving space for Clarence Ferrari's fiddle and guitar and for the man himself, Tom Lenahan, to stretch boundaries and inflame audiences with his vocals, bagpiping, guitar and whistle.

Hooligans in Suits is a live recording. The clear production manages to offer the atmosphere of a red-hot, rocking performance and shows just what a superb band Lenahan really is. The subtitle, "Captured LIVE in Gosport" (last Easter at a music festival in the English town) is a misnomer. Lenahan is not for capturing and they take no prisoners either. This performance's power and brilliance will engulf and carry along all who listen!

CELTIC BEAT MAGAZINE, USA
Lenahan Hooligans in Suits, (Lenahan Live in the UK)
Musikfolk, Ltd. MFCD515, 1998 UK Clandestine Records CR218, 1999 USA

Lenahan's new CD will surely capture the interest of a broad audience whether it be Celtic, Blues, Rock or Cajun. This CD incorporates it all very, very, well.

Listeners will enjoy "The Mind Reels," spirited and fastpaced with mean interplay of fiddle and electric guitar. Equally fiery is the tune "Green Grooves" featuring dynamic tin whistle and fiddle. Lenahan's piping in "Geese in the Bog" clearly shines. Another tune demonstrating Tom's superb piping is "The Exempt Fireman's Dance"-- a fast paced piece that will surely get you moving. Or, for those who prefer waltzes, there's "Look to the Mountain," a bluesy waltz soulfully sung by Tom Lenahan.

"Dudelsack Blues" truly wins the "Coolest Celtic Tune I Ever Heard" award. Piping set to Blues (and Celtic Blues) -- unique and so clever! Also unique are "Islands in the Storm," (Celtic reggae --a must hear tune) and the title cut, "Hooligans in Suits" which is different indeed.

Lenahan has the incredible talent to mesh traditional Celtic music with other genres such as Blues and Rock in such a polished transition within the blink of an eye. If that isn't musical mastery, what is?

Joanne Gagnon-Celtic Beat (Imbolc 99)

THE LEDGE, U.K. , March 1999 - Ian Burgess

LENAHAN - HOOLIGANS IN SUITS
MUSIKFOLK MFCD 515

Shouting about a band you may not have heard. Recorded live at last year's Gosport Easter Festival where the band had everyone on their feet. Play the blues with a Celtic feeling, and Irish tunes with a bit of blues and you're partly there. A four piece group with bass, drums, fiddle, guitar all led by Tom Lenahan's lead vocals, guitar, tin whistle and Highland bagpipes. The second track, "Lanigan's Ball"/"Hideaway" starts out as a Celtic song, changing to Chicago blues for the instrumental. Clarence Ferrari plays a fast floating fiddle, with Rich Graziano and Mike Kilmer a solid rhythm section behind. "Geese in The Bog" brings out those Highland pipes for the first time, this time Clarence duelling away on electric guitar. This the album continues, many different changes, mixing up the blues and greens on a mixture of traditional and self written songs and tunes. "Drink Takes a Man" being an out and out rocker, "The Exempt Fireman's Dance" a traditional piece, including some familiar tunes, led at times by bagpipes and fiddle. The title track another rocker, about many office workers commuting home from work. They can fill large clubs, etc., in America. It would be great to see them get success here too. Preferably soon."

MUSIC MAKER, UK - June 1998

LENAHAN - CONTRARY MOTION
Clandestine. CR217 (US import)

Unplugged good time celtic tunes from one of the leading brand names of American Irish rock. What puts Lenahan - named after their enthusiastic leader - above the pack is the fact that they bust a gut to entertain and breathe new life into familiar old tunes by mixing in Cajun, blues and southern folk stylings. Here let loose without amps but with a bottle or two of Jack Daniels they paint the town red, trad flings, lovesick ballads, yuppie reels and Irish ambience enhance a set which shows that Broadway jigs are as catchy as anyone else's. Their speciality war pipes which I've seen reduce an ordered crowd to a moshing shambles feature strongly as does some wonderful fiddling from Clarence Ferrari and proves yet again what the smart already know. Namely, you don't need electricity to rock. - Simon Jones

IRISH AMERICAN POST, USA - JUNE/JULY 1998

Anyone who loves rockin' 'n rollin' Highland bagpipes, backed by strong accompaniement, should dash to the closest CD shop and pick up Contrary Motion: Lenahan Plays Acoustic. Headliner Tom Lenahan, who also plays guitar and bodhran on the album, gives this round of haunting tunes a special touch.

Second guitarist Clarence Ferrari and drummer Richard Graziano complete the Lenahan sound. The best tracks were supported by Cherish The Ladies' Mary Rafferty on button accordion, especially with "The Road to Lisdoonvarna."

The CD is a Clandestine Records release (CR217). War pipes never sounded so smooth! This is definately a "wow" release that boosts Lenahan's reputation as a masterful music-maker. - By Tommy (Digger) Russell

CELTIC BEAT, Vol. 5 No. 3 July/Aug '98, North America

Contrary Motion (Lenahan Plays Acoustic), Lenahan, Clandestine Records TM, 1998.

This CD is an acoustic venture for Tom Lenahan and his band. Sometimes, Celtic rock inspired bands sound "watered down" when they try this, but not so with Lenahan. Here, acoustic never sounded so powerful.

"Geese in the Bog," the delightfully dynamic opener on the CD demonstrates Tom Lenahan's superb piping abilities. Also of interest are the rollicking and rhythmic versions of traditional favorites "Lanigan's Ball" and "The Road to Lisdoonvarna." "Coat and Tie" is a spirited tune sung in the earthy voice of Tom Lenahan. "The Teetotaller" is a dazzling instrumental featuring powerful fiddling by Clarence Ferrari and vibrant tin whistle playing by Tom.

For a change of pace, there's the absolutely gorgeous rendition of "Ash Grove" -- never have I heard pipes played so gently and romantically. Also included on the CD are an 'old-timey' piece, "Let Her Go" and the Cajun- inspired "Candle and the Flame"--indeed, life is full of musical surprises!

Yes, folks, Contrary Motion is a listener-friendly CD. Its delightfully energetic with a few breathtaking quiet spots. Each tune is uniquely rendered. Nothing is bland, the seasoning is just right -- proving that in the right hands, acoustic can be powerful.- J. G.

TIME OUT, LONDON - APRIL 15-22, 1998
PICK OF THE DAY
Lenahan - Swan, Stockwell - Wed 15 9PM

New York City based singer, songwriter and bagpiper Tom Lenahan brings his wild and wonderful Celtic rock and blues to the Swan for this promising show. A hugely assured performer, Lenahan infuses his music with a rare fire, energy and passion.

ROCK 'N" REEL, U.K.
JOHN O'REGAN
Fall 1998

Contrary Motion
Lenahan Plays Acoustic
(Clandestine CR217)

"Contrary Motion" subtitled "Lenahan plays acoustic" is what happens when Tom Lenahan and his New York City cohorts turn off the amps and play "unplugged." The energy level though is upkept and the same kinetic electricity as befits Lenahan's electric forays runs through their acoustic efforts.

"Lanigan's Ball" is subject to a Celtic/Eastern type crossover and "Geese in the Bog" highlights Tom Lenahan's bagpiping skills. "Coat and Tie" kicks up even more dust as an Irish/Cajun style stomper, while "The Road to Lisdoonvarna" allows room for Clarence Ferrari's fiddle and special guest Mary Rafferty from Cherish The Ladies to indulge in celestial fiddle/accordion harmonies. "Let He Go" inhabits swing territory and "New York Lullabye" would be a credit to Jimmy Rogers, the swinging brakeman.

"Contrary Motion" has Lenahan whipping up a storm: unplugged or plugged, this is one lethal neo-celtic outfit.

IRISH EDITION, USA - April 1998
Lenahan - Contrary Motion
(Clandestine Records)

Tom Lenahan, normally known for his energetic approach, has broken free of any restraints that might have held him back and has let loose.

This album rocks, in more ways than one. It opens with a bagpipe that rips its way from the speakers on Geese in the Bog, bursts into a bodhran-driven Lanigan's Ball, takes The Road to Lisdoonvarna a little slower but hardly leisurely...Contrary Motion keeps rocking at such a high rate that my poor little heart can hardly keep pace.

This unplugged, scaled-down version of Lenahan (just Tom, two band members and one guest) handles the traditional and contemporary material with great skill and occasional abandon, equally at home on Irish jigs, country songs and swing.

And to think, this is billed as an acoustic album!

FOLK ROOTS - ENGLAND - September '96
KING OF THE O'DELTA

Ready for Tom Lenahan's Celtic blues?-Simon Jones ponders

"The Celtic thing falls into basically three different bags over here. You've got those people who just want to sit round a campfire wearing sweaters ringing 'come all ye' until they drop, then there's the '70s celtoid who wants whoopin''n' jiggin' until there's no more blow in your bagpipe and then there's the younger guys who're trying to do something with the music to give it a new form, a new expression. Bands like Black 47 or The Drovers - they're all out their doing Celtic material in a modern way."

Tom Lenahan's eyebrows knit together. We're discussing the vexed phrase 'Celtic rock'. He's been playing it - whatever the exact definition is - for some ten years or more, and we've been talking about it for nigh on an hour.

So from where you're sitting - New York - what is Celtic rock?

'When I first heard that term it was applied in America to bands like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span, which wasn't really right was it? I mean, at a push you could get away with Alan Stivell, but it took a trip to Ireland for me to really appreciate the playing, subtlety and inference of people like Phil Lynott and Horslips. Unless you sat down and thought about the wider implications it could be seen as just a folk rock.

"Look, though those people were working themes and motifs from their culture into new music, music that was relevant for their day, I don't want to get into that trap, y'know playing the same old thing in a way that was originally on an album from twenty years ago. You've got to get out and introduce fresh impetus."

So, g'wan, after a decade or so of every music bar, club and American festival, what do you do?

"Well, if you take black urban Irish angle you turn into a kind of rap, punk thing like Black 47. But me, I'm from Chicago so I grew up with two sides to me - the Irish music and the blues. You'd hear both sorts of music so often that it gets into your blood and I'd played both genres but separately, in different bands. It seemed natural to me to put the two together."

Besides that you have to gather round a bunch of players who're at home with each, so Lenahan took his time building up a series of contacts. He checked out each musician and even held long debates with them about how he wanted to marry the Liffey and Mississippi deltas.

The upshot of all this was a tight, slick crew who've got the experience of smoky, dark, sweaty blues clubs and blokes who can shift a fiddle bow faster than a monkey on a greased pole.

And Lenahan are coming our way before too long. They'll be over here this year for a preliminary jaunt, which if all goes well could get to be a regular thing.

THE IRISH WORLD-July '96
AMERICAN CELTIC INVASION

"What rock would have sounded like if it was invented in Ireland"
American multi-instrumentalist Tom Lenahan is due to tour the UK this August with his groundbreaking American Celtic roots rock outfit Lenahan.

The Chicago born, New York based Tom whose parents hail from Co. Clare describes his music as "what rock would have sounded like if it was invented in Ireland"

"The melodies and themes are Irish and Scottish" says Tom "but basically we combine them with rhythm grooves of American music.

Promoting his self titled debut CD, Tom and his band have a particular London/Irish music connection with Willie and The Shakers bass player Phil Rynhart.

Dubliner Phil co-wrote the albums best track Dirty Lane, a song originally aired with the hugely popular Poormouth.

"The original drummer in that band Tony Ryan took some tapes to New York with him explains Phil. "and Tom liked what he heard.

Dirty Lane is a kind of Celtic rock jig and it fitted in with the kind of stuff Tom's band was doing.

We ended up corresponding by letter and fax and completely rewrote the song, it's great now he's recorded it on his album, we have never met each other so I'm looking forward to the forthcoming tour, hopefully we will both have the same night off so that we can meet and maybe even collaborate further.

The song appears on the album as Quik Chek Reel/Dirty Lane and is probably best described as the definitive Horslips song the band themselves never wrote!

Significantly perhaps, Lenahan also closes the album with rocked up version of Rocky Road to Dublin, that was a showstopper for Poormouth and is still a firm favourite with The Shakers fans as well.

"It's the kind of song that always gets instant recognition" says Tom, ",no matter how the arrangement has chopped and changed".

With their debut CD and tour well under way. Tom and his band are forging their own of Celtic roots rock complete with uilleann pipes.

"it might sound strange to put bagpipes and guitar together" says Tom "but I feel the bagpipes are a rock and roll instrument capable of the same timbre and distortion of electric guitar."

There is also a mesmerizing ballad on the album Look To The Mountain, full of the ghost Bob Dylan -

"the place where I'm going isn't on any road/you can put down your burden/put down your load, the song on the jukebox says you get what you give/I ain't no singer, but I know where one lives."

The song is made more memorable by the harmonic use of the bagpipes.

Nowadays, Tom finds his brand on Celtic roots rock in heavy demand, aside from musical picnics in the park, such as the time the band played at the New York Botanical Gardens -bring your own blanket and dancing shoes, Tom and his band have made inroads across the US with this years spring tour including the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas and the prestigious Five Corners concert series in Jersey City.
The new album on Clandestine records is now being distributed by Twinbrook who also look after Mary Black and Eleanor McEvoy and Tom has high hope of it doing very well.

"These London dates are personal milestone" concludes Tom "both in terms of my career and personal basis with a chance to meet Phil".

NOTTINGHAM EVENING POST - UK - December 1996

NEW and IMPURE...

Tom Lenahan is quite simply, the most exciting newcomer that I have seen this year.

This Chicago-born youngster had me quite awestruck, alternating between electric guitar, bagpipes and vocals as he led his band through blistering afternoon session at this year's Off The Tracks festival.

Quite honestly, anything that followed was rather flat by comparison.

His influences are as many as he mixes traditional Irish with self-penned contemporary pieces, American folksongs, blues and even a song from the Durham coalfields!

The band are back over from the states for a short tour and their performance in the intimate atmosphere of the Flowerpot on Saturday night should be really something to cherish.

WHAT'S ON - December '96
LENAHAN

Irish-American Tom Lenahan is a purist's worst nightmare. He brilliantly blends Celtic traditional sounds with Chicago based blues and rock. His performance at this year's Off The Track's festival was nothing short of mesmerizing with a stage show that had to be seen to be believed. Back over from the States for only a short UK tour, this is an opportunity to see a small wonderful; American act that has all the ingredients needed for a perfect Stomp night out!

RhythmMusic, U.S.A., September 1996
LENAHAN
Clandestine CR216

Tom Lenahan, who fronts the Celtic rock band bearing his surname, is a prodigiously talented musician, whose abilities on guitar, pipes and drums are matched by his well-developed songwriting ability. He sings of immigrants, idealists and antagonists, often turning clever phrases like "a lot of people take a drink when they can, but it ain't a pretty story when the drink takes a man." Lenahan rocks throughout this album...fans of Tempest, Wolfstone & Rawlin's Cross will definitely want to check this one out.-ROB HUFFMAN

VENUE - U.K. - November '96

Tom Lenahan plays guitars, drum, Highland pipes (that's bagpipes to most of us) and the variously-spelt bodhran. He also sings, looks cool and writes songs. He has a voice that suits all the styles he attacks on this album and has a team around him that does justice to the surprising versatality of his music. For example, the CD jumps out of the speakers with "Coat And Tie," an extremely Irish tune that sounds as authentic as Shane McGowan's dentures. This disc is kicking! From the pure Irish style to the straight-ahead blues of "2 Loves" the diversity of musical genres is maintained and "Look To The Mountains" is very reminiscent of our fave Steven Bruton. What will yer man do next, asks the bewildered listener. Most critics would condemn anyone with such a varied style (or 'lack of direction' as it used to be called) but we at VENUE like a bit of a surprise (like certain pubs paying for their advertisements!) Suffice it to say that there are Uilleann pipes, accordions, fiddles, whistles, flutes, pipes, keyboards, pianos and lead guitars on offer here, all as well-played as each other in fine collection of songs. All the songwriting is of a high standard. Go see Lenahan at Talking Heads in Southampton on Nov 21st or the Air Balloon in Portsmouth, Nov 22nd. You'll probably see a few VENUE staff there...GW