The Miserable Few is an oddly misnamed group because there's very little misery to this jolly bunch -- just listen to their version of "Roll the Old Chariot/Drunken Sailor" and you'll hear how lively and rollicking they can be. (One caveat -- they've included a couple of "modern" updates of... [+] Expand

The Miserable Few is an oddly misnamed group because there's very little misery to this jolly bunch -- just listen to their version of "Roll the Old Chariot/Drunken Sailor" and you'll hear how lively and rollicking they can be. (One caveat -- they've included a couple of "modern" updates of "Drunken Sailor," and, oddly enough, because they refer to events that are several years old, those updates wind up giving the cut a somewhat dated feel). Yet the events in question ("Put him in command of an Exxon tanker/Throw him on the ice with Tanya Harding") are memorable enough that people will still recall the context of the references. (Listeners may wonder what events from 2001 might work their way into the group's live performances on this one.) They do fine renditions of ballads as well. The very moving and emotional "Kilkelly" is a prime example, as is "Reynardine." Their instrumentals are also enjoyable as "The Castle Kelly Set" and "Sliabh Russell and Alabama Rick" can attest. They have the vocal strength and skill to successfully perform a cappella too, as "Flower of Scotland" shows. The Miserable Few is a versatile and accomplished debut, and one that will certainly leave Celtic music fans wishing to hear follow-ups from them. ~ Murrday Fisher, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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