Description:
Ceili Rain's second spiritandsong.com release is bursting with charm, humor, zest and spiritual depth - everything you'd expect from these fun-loving musical geniuses.
Same wonderful band - earthier sound, more direct message
The instrumentation remains the same: that quirky combination of rock and Celtic, distinguished by tin whistle, uilleann pipes, button accordion, fiddle and mandolin. But this album takes a noticeably different approach. Earthier in sound and more spiritually candid, these 14 new tracks make a case for the power and purpose of prayer.
Danceable title track; cool praise and worship anthem
The title track is pure joy. Full of bounce and verve, it makes your feet twitch - as the title implies it should. A slow-building praise and worship anthem, "Say Yes to You" is a fervent musical prayer, asking, like Mary, "May all I am, and all I do, say yes to you."
One of Bob's strongest compositions to date
One of Bob Halligan's strongest compositions to date, "Kneeling" presents an alternative - and thoroughly Christian - response to current events. Colored by bagpipe and fiddle, this thought-provoking ballad states, "You ask me what I think of the war; you ask what I think it was for... My position, my only position is kneeling."
Their trademark humor shines once again
Their trademark humor comes out in songs like "Shut Up and Pray" and "If God Was Chocolate." Buoyed by catchy, cheerful melodies, both tell stories of transformation, ending with a changed attitude toward prayer.
They've got something to say - it's a joy to hear it
"I ain't gonna shush, if there's something to say," Bob sings in "Shush." This popular band certainly has something to say. As always, it's a joy to hear it. Whatever Makes You Dance is everything Ceili Rain fans could hope for and, for those poor souls who don't know them, an excellent icebreaker.
Praise for Whatever Makes You Dance
"This is one of Ceili Rain's stronger efforts, thanks to the band's unique style and the strength of Bob Halligan Jr's challenging songcraft. Now that they?ve added alto sax to the mix, Ceili Rain further demonstrates they?re not confined to one sound, capable of jamming like Dave Matthews Band or early Big Daddy Weave. Ceili Rain remains one of the more thoughtful and unique Christian bands around, seemingly on its way to earn more attention (4.5 out of 5 stars)."
- Russ Breimeier, Christianity Today -- Ceili Rain -- CD
