BUZZ Magazine, July 2016

“Tzigani” by The Craic: CD Review
With drums roaring out of my speakers spitting
fire, a firehouse alarm of bagpipes and shouts
from an excited crowd, the melody of the first
song on The Craic’s (“The Crack’s”) latest cd Tzigani
transported this listener to a time of homemade war
paint, Scottish clan kilts, swinging sporran and probably
too much mead. The only thing missing was a turkey leg
hoisted in the air as the warrior/mead drinker stood with
arms akimbo and brandished it against his or her foe.
“Join the Fray” continued the theme with bagpipes held
aloft in the forefront and gorgeous rhythmic and powerful
rock-like drumming. “Someday, any day one fine day
to break away. Someday, any day one fine day to join the
fray,” voices chanted. Whereof is this fray of which they
speak? It was such a rousing tune I’d love to find it and
join them on their quest.
The third song, “Ushti Ushti Baba”, began with long,
languid lines I’ve seldom heard played by a bagpipe.
Gorgeous, actually. Not punchy like the previous two
songs; then the violin and drum joined in to bring an
almost mythic, foreign yet classical Scheherazade-like
melody to the forefront. Do you remember Scheherazade
from your middle school education? She was that
legendary queen and the storyteller of the Arabian classic,
One Thousand and One Nights. I could almost smell
the incense and feel the intrigue in the shadows.
The rest of the fine and rousing tunes on this cd harkened
back to the live show I saw the band perform at
Gulfport a few months ago. I confess; my favorite song is
“Step It Out Mary” because I love the story and also the
conviction with which it is delivered.
If you can see The Craic live, go! They are highly passionate
and entertaining, as well as wonderful storytellers.
If you are not able to catch them live anytime soon buy
this cd as it is a close second in entertainment value,
historical throwbackness (is that even a word??) and
vigor! As in very vigorous drumming, piping, violin(-ing)
and singing. I found myself dancing in my chair and
trying to remember where I packed my veils and leather
stomp boots …
14 / BAYBUZZ.ORG / JULY 2016
Recorded and produced in 2015 by Daniel O’Ryan and
mastered by Aaron “Kailan” Berman, the band’s members
are Daniel O'Ryan, Tonya The Norse, Leon Cecili
Martin and Arnoldo Colina.
About The Craic (from their Facebook page):
The CRAIC is a 4-piece, themed drama & musical act
using heavy percussion and medieval bagpipes. Many
various styles of drumming and percussions compliment
haunting "old style" pipes and vocals. The CRAIC is modeled
after traditional medieval / renaissance theater and
music yet also incorporates percussion techniques of
Japanese Taiko, West African Djembe and Australian
Aboriginal. The piping is modeled after traditional central
European medieval styles, yet with a modern intense
approach similar to that of a rock band.
The CRAIC also uses various pots ‘n pans and swords ‘n
daggers as alternative percussion instruments. Full skits
are performed using these "instruments" in a heavy
percussive and tribal way. The CRAIC has been likened to
medieval versions of STOMP and Blue Man Group.
Visit Craic on Facebook