Tequila and Whiskey (Music)

 

I love Irish Music, I love history, I love Tequila and I love Whiskey.  So how could I not love the Chieftain’s new album San Patricio.  An album which:

“The musical soul of two nations, Ireland and Mexico, are movingly brought to life in San Patricio, the latest international collaboration by six-time Grammy winners The Chieftains – the leading practitioners of Irish traditional music for the past four decades”

The album takes it’s theme and name from John Riley, an Irish immigrant to the US, recruited to fight against the Mexicans.

However, when Riley learned that he would be fighting fellow Catholics, he formed a battalion of about 200 men — (the San Patricios or St Patrick’s Battalion ) to fight with the Mexicans.

After several fierce battles, the San Patricios were captured by the US army, who viewed them as traitors and punished them, executing some.

Now The Chieftain’s have successfully merged two vastly different (IMO) musical styles into something beautiful and engaging. 

It’s definitely worth a listen, if nothing more than the music, yet the story itself is pretty incredible. 

My favorite tracks are

• Lulliby of the Dead – A haunting Uilleann pipes dirge.
• Marching to Battle – The intro music on the video below
• Danza de Concheros – A Mexican themed dance with Mariachi Guitars and tin whistles.

Here is a clip on the behind the scenes to give you a taste.

 

The Nightmare before St Pats

 

This is probably the best “Cover Video” that I have ever seen.

WOW

An Irish Confession

An Irishman goes into the confessional box after years of being away from the Church.

There’s a fully equipped bar with Guinness on tap. On the other wall is a dazzling array of the finest cigars and chocolates.

Then the priest comes in. “Father, forgive me, for it’s been a very long time since I’ve been to confession, but I must first admit that the confessional box is much more inviting than it used to be.”

The priest replies: “Get out. You’re in my side.”

Boru Vodka

Tonight for my drink I am finishing off the bottle of Boru Vodka here in the house (I'm to lazy to go shopping).

You've never heard of Boru Vodka? Well, allow me to educate you:

Boru Vodka is distilled in Ireland (but is not a Poitín) and named after the legendary King of Ireland, Brian Boru. At $20 a bottle at the Tinderbox, its a steal for just about any occasion. Considering its backed by such luminaries as Andy Dick and Tom Green, plus named a Top 10 Vodka by Forbes magazine, how could you go wrong?

The Vodka itself if very smooth and clean....almost verging on refreshing. I prefer mine on ice, and if it wasn't for the warm sensation going down my and glow in my tummy, I would swear it was water. When ice cold, it's almost syrupy and the nose doesn't smell anything like the gasoline I used to drink as well Vodka in the Army.

I honestly haven't used it as a mixer....but I cannot imagine it not going well with juice or Dr. Pepper (for you Glenn).

If I had extra, I would probably make a few martinis, however...I was down to the last two fingers...so like Mom always said...keep it simple :)