Press

NZ Musician Feb 2002
by Liz Barry

--- - Jacky Tar's stonking good repertoire of hook-laden songs and funky rifts in their latest album shows them streets ahead of your average Celtic pub band. Their sound has always been more modern than traditional and since their first album 'Poor Man's Labour', Jacky Tar have become more sophisticated, this time adding electronic elements of funk, rock, rap and dance to many of the tracks, putting their sound more in the world music category. 'Defenestration' also includes an excellent remix of the first album's title track with an electronic dance element! Rovin' Journeyman is a combination of an old Scottish tune with some of the band's own lyrics and an ear-catching solo introduction by Andy Kerr. Bagpipes feature predominantly in Billy the Whizz - a powerful instrumental which will stir the blood of anyone with Mc or Mac in their surname. Uisce Beatha (Water of Life) refers to whisky and its relentless upbeat rhythm almost made me feel like I'd had a couple! The album's handy liner notes describe the ideas behind each song and its origin.

Jacky Tar had an enthusiastic audience response when the CD featured an HomeGrown - National Radio's NZ Music show in late October and the band got rave reviews an their tour of Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Och aye - they're hootin' hot!

-ooOoo-

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