Karen Casey
Shank Hall , Milwaukee, WI- March, 2004

Karan Casey and her band played Shank Hall in Milwaukee this last Monday. An appreciative crowd of about 75 gathered to hear one of Ireland's great singers. Besides Karan's great voice she has surrounded herself with a very good tight band. The draw for me was Robbie Overson who is an exceptional guitarist. I first saw this current lineup at the Dublin, Ohio Festival and didn't want to miss this show in Milwaukee. Niall Vallely and Paul Meehan round out the band so it's a simple four-piece, which I appreciate for the less-is-more factor. With four people you don't have to strain your ear to hear all the instrumental nuances like you do in some of the bigger ensembles. Milwaukee's been blessed as four of Irish music's great singers have visited us recently, Cathie Ryan, Mary Black, Karan Casey and Dierdre Scanlon from Solas. Casey is more of a chanteuse singer with more subtle interpretations. Not a big voice, but one with a unique color and an earthiness to it. This is a great ensemble. Karan told me she hopes to add a bass player for some of the festivals this summer and that a new CD will soon be released. One of two more that is in her contract with Shanachie.

Opening for Karan Casey was Milwaukee's own Waking Maggie. They've been around now for a little over three years and have developed into a very nice band. The Hammered Dulcimer is not an instrument normally associated with Irish music but Andrea Harris does a great job of playing the reels and jigs on this unique instrument. They've recently added Ed Paloucek on fiddle. So the band added one of Milwaukee's best known Irish musician's to their lineup (it's the "Ed" part that's Irish). They have good tempo's and have fun. Some original songs were also a delight.

Barry Stapleton, Director - Ward Irish Music Archives