During this time of year, music stores and their online counterparts get filled with rereleases that range from remastered versions of holiday classics from Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra to not-so-great offerings from the likes of Christina Aguilera and even former Beatle Ringo Starr (who made a whole album about a decade ago). And then again there are those faux-humorous songs about daddy getting drunk at Christmas while grandma was run over by a reindeer. While some of these examples are genuinely enjoyable, many are better left where they belong—in the bargain bin.

But the truth remains that for many people a Christmas party is not quite complete without holiday music, so there definitely is always a market for these albums—even if we have been hearing them day in and day out at the local grocery store since late October. In spite of that sensory overload, some new
releases deserve to be checked out, especially for artists who decide to present these classics from a different perspective. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo: Marcin Grzegorczyk

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Though one might see Poland as a pretty homogenous nation—there are no big linguistic differences between each side of the country, for example—its folk music is quite surprising. Polish folk sounds bear influences from the music of Germany, Ukraine and the Czech Republic depending on what part of the country they come from.

Which brings us to Dikanda, a group that has been around since 1997 but is only touring the U.S. for the first time. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo: Madstone Productions

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Formed in the same manner as Celtic Woman (under the direction of David Downes of “Riverdance”), the High Kings are a group of male singers and instrumentalists who sing a blend of traditional and modern Irish music. The band members have backgrounds in traditional music, pop and the theater—for instance, Darren Holden originated the role of the lead piano man in Billy Joel’s musical “Movin’ Out,” and also toured with the man himself, while his band mates (Finbarr Clancy, Martin Furey and Brian Dunphy) all come from families with extensive participation in their countries’ music scene.

Their music is highly enjoyable, but bear in mind that it is intended for mass markets. Among their songs is “Fields of Glory,” an all-out celebration of their football (soccer in America) heroes, and “Parting Glass,” a hauntingly beautiful tune that pays tribute to friends lost too soon. Their debut self-titled release reached #5 on the Irish charts, and they are coming to the US on their first massive tour to promote their sophomore disc “Memory Lane” (Universal Ireland). At their stop in Chicago, they will also be paying tribute to the legacy of music of The Clancy Brothers (Finbarr’s father was a member) and Tommy Makem. (Ernest Barteldes)

March 3 at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox, (773)282-7035, 7:30pm. $35.

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When Rose’s Pawn Shop sets up to play, the stage looks a little confusing. First come the banjo, the mandolin, the fiddle. Then, someone carries out an electric guitar and an upright bass. Finally, a drum set is plopped right in the middle of an all-out instrument arsenal. To further confuse things, a group of Los Angeles-looking twentysomethings stand in front of the crowd and pick up the disparate tools they need to share their bluegrass/Celtic/punk-rock sound. Mixing Hank Williams-like lamenting with Flogging Molly-esque Celtic punk works quite well for the band, especially with their recent win at Billboard’s Independent Music World Series. Rose’s Pawn Shop relies on four-part vocal harmonies, rockabilly speed and lead singer Paul Givant’s voice to make their unique style sound cohesive. The five-piece band–who first found each other on Craigslist—self-released “The Arsonist” in 2006, and are now touring with their second album, “Dancing on the Gallows.” Expect the show to run on high-speed, feel-good beats, but pay attention to the slowdown, when Givant’s twangy tenderness breaks through. (Dee Fabbricatore)

July 22 at Double Door, 1572 North Milwaukee, 9pm. $10-$20.