Media Quotes and Reviews
Tony O'Leary Rock's the Rock Review
Adolf 'gorhand' Goriup
Rock's the Rock Review Germany
Tony O' Leary own Label released Rock's the Rock 2009. This Irish Folk musician living in Newfoundland is a (singer, song writer, and plays button accordion, guitar).On his second solo album, he has three of his own songs and seven traditional songs published. Accompanied him Gerry Strong (flute), Glen Hiscock (Fiddle, Mandola), Dave Fitzpatrick (bass, Drums, guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano, song) and Ian Chipman (guitar, Drums, bass). It begins with O' Learys "Be a Man me Lad" with Gerry Strong on the flute, Hiscock on the Fiddle; in addition there is rhythm of Fitzpatrick as well as song and accordion of O' Leary. This entertaining song is certainly one of the listeners on the CD. Chipman gives a guest performance only on "Travelin Newfoundlander", a further own composition of O' Leary. O' Learys own songs please me actually better than the traditional songs because they have a very authentic sound. They became for me a rockig arrangement during the composition with Fiddle and flute. An exception is the funkig folkige "The little Begger Man", that with Lilting and accordion to entertaining rhythm brilliert. The mandolin sticks out in "We're walkin on the tight Rope of Hell. Brightly" (O' Leary) transforms the song to an Americana ballad. Classic Traditionals such as "Whiskey in the Jar" or "Drunken Sailor" round off the program with rapid rhythms. The new album of Tony O' Leary offers loose Irish Folk with which somethings are missing for me the highpoints. Finely played and sung are the traditional songs above all for my taste not straight sensation exciting, the originals songs on the other hand please me good. www.tonyolearymusic.ca