When I first caught The Great Whiskey Rebellion live, I was immediately drawn to the amazing energy they bring to their live show. Bringing a Celtic and Americana fusion to the table this band can be counted on to bring a good time with them as well. The EP On The Whiskey Trail is an eight-song blend of both genres and the band easily slips between them with little effort.
The first two songs on the EP are Mt. Whiskey and Elzic’s Farewell, both instrumentals that make you feel like you are sitting in a pub enjoying a Guinness in the old country. Featuring a driving beat and a terrific violin work-over, the songs both kill. While listening to the CD I was immediately transported back to their live show that I had been at, where the energy was contagious.
Greasy Coat is a trip into the Americana roots music they play and it feels like West Virginia right from the start. The song boasts some great lyrics like “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t wear no greasy coat. I don’t spit and I don’t chew and I don’t go with girls that do” and they fit like a glove.
Cooley’s Reel is something you would expect to hear at a good old-fashioned Irish Seisiun, great music from everyone involved and in this one, everyone is involved to the hilt.
Stay All Night/Policeman is a fresh take on the old Willis/Duncan Western swing tune and they add their own lyrical twist to it making a great drinking song (surprise). The two closing instrumentals again showcase the talent that makes up this band with Amy Levine on Violin; Nick Cheechio handling the guitar; Geo Poor on Bass; and Emma Hyatt on percussion. Overall a great first release and if you ever get a chance to catch them live I highly recommend you do so and have a Guinness for me.
