The Jolly Rogues
BC Dean''s History
Lessons Music to the EarsBy Jim O''SullivanThere was
a time, during the irresponsibility of my youth, when I dodged Michael
Ryan with a trembling fear for the disciplinary consequences he stored
in his quiver.Now, I pop his CD into my stereo and rock out to "All for
Me Grog."Ryan, a Boston College student development dean, metes out
discipline to troubled college kids during the day, and then trades for
Colonial garb and a drum, taking his place as a member of the Jolly
Rogues.Working on their second CD, a compilation of 17th- and
18th-century sea shanties, the Rogues are a three-year-old touring band
of history buffs and crooning musicians, bringing throwback tunes to
the New England countryside. They aim to give a tavern feel, with
traditional instruments like mandolins and tin whistles, along with
tri-cornered hats and hose, lending airs of authenticity.Their music is
a blend of American colonial with Irish folk with Scottish and British
tavern tunes, even a little spiritual thrown in. "Most of the songs of
the time period came out of England, Ireland, Scotland," Ryan says.
"Usually, what''ll end up happening is you''ll have a tune with words
that will be passed around among musicians, and someone will get a hold
of it and change the words."It''s catchy and gentle to the ear, and
I''ve cleverly avoided giving back the sample copy of "The Road to
Boston" that Dean Ryan lent me.His bandmates - Paul Harty on the violin
and mandolin; Alan Hicks with the guitar, tin whistle, and banjo; and
James Murray on guitar and mandolin - share with Ryan a zeal for
interpreting history, and a talent for blending musical styles.But
instead of adding another battle re-enactment to their resumes, they
picked up the instruments and took to the road, performing in the New
England Folk Festival, and this summer at the Old South Meeting House
and on Comcast cable. On September 30, they''re in North Reading and
Wakefield, and in October, they''ll be bringing history to Concord.
Ryan says they''re planning on a European tour for next summer.On their
recordings, they opt for the imperfections of live performance rather
than an overly-refined, studio feel. "We don''t want to come across as
being a polished, perfectionist group," says Ryan. "We want to be a
group that, if you walked into a tavern in 1660, or 1670, or 1680, this
is what you''d hear."Ryan, whose judgments on my behavior in those
erstwhile days of mischief were even-handed, has een a BC man for parts
of five decades. A native of East Gloucester, he graduated from The
Heights in 1967, then served 10 years of active duty in Vietnam. He
came back to BC, where he is now the assistant dean for student
development, and the administrative supervisor for the school''s
R.O.T.C. program."It''s always been the Jesuits or the military for
me," Ryan says. Now it''s the Jolly Rogues, which seems an interesting
third to add to the mix. But it''s a good fit for Mike Ryan.And, with
the unspoken threat of a postgraduate suspension pending, I''ll say
it''s good enough for me, too.b **** Fantastic
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewer: N.Ellen
Hy there, I have orderd many
CD's from other country's and from many choirs. But i never recieved a
CD so quickly. From USA to Holland in 3 days? Fantastic! I'm gonna use
the CD in my radioprogramm. Thanks guys and a lot of singing pleasure.
And please take look at our website:
www.oudeschildervisserskoor-texel.nl and leave a message there please?
greatings from Holland, Noud Ellen Fantastic
Reviewer:Music Forte
Here is a very talented group of Musicians who are
carving out a unique niche in local musical entertainment. The Rogues
appear attired in either 18th or 19th Century clothing or a combination
of the two periods, adding to the color and charm of the performance.
Listen to “Lark in the Clear Air”
Reviewer: Ted Busiek
Dear Mr. Murray,
I'm writing regarding your band,
The Jolly Rogues. I got your most recent CD, 14 Miles to Boston, and I
really like what you guys are doing. My favorite tracks are Soldier's
Joy / Liberty, Bonnie Charlie, Hal An Tow and The Fox. From the looks
of your website you guys are a lot more popular than I realised, which
is good because New England needs a cultural revival band. The
Maritimes have Stan Rogers. The Brittish Isles have more than I would
list, most notably Steeleye Span. Why shouldn't this area have a
popular folk band?
Reviewer: Jason Brazeal
an excellent cd.
With what imagination would dictate as very accurate reproductions of
tavern music from the 1700's. Very good traveling music.
I love it
Folkmagazin
I'm webmaster of the German folk-portal site
www.folkig.de
and
I write reviews for the German printmagazine "Folkmagazin",
"The american band The Jolly Rogues are one
of these bands which are probably totally unknown in
Thomas
Engert
Client
feed back
Absolutely
fabulous! They were very professional, contacted me with perfect timing
and just the right questions. Knew exactly what needed to be done and
provided a superb performance as well. We had a very diverse group of
guests at our wedding and they all loved the music! I highly recommend
the Jolly Rogues.
--Sarah D.
West Brookfield, MA
8/18/2007
Super
performance & look forward to using them again... Thank you.
--Kimberly C.
Wellesley Hills, MA
3/30/2007
Paul was great!
Thanks.
--Gary O.
Bedford, NH
1/17/2006
The Jolly
Rogues were a delight to work with and a terrific addition to our
nautically-themed wedding reception. They arrived early and were very
flexible in working within a shifting time frame at the reception. They
played the songs we requested and got the attendees involved in their
repertoire. They are terrific!
--Jean R.
Cape Cod, MA
3/5/2005
--Boston Irish Reporter
Boston, MA
9/23/2003
I downloaded the songs "The maid from Willington" and "Boys from Blue
Hill".
I like the shanty-music. It is easy listening music with a historical
value. We in Holland have also many shanty-choirs. You can find most of
them on the internet. In my radioprogram I play often one or more
songs. But I want some music from America, England, Scotland,etc.
Because it is for broadcasting, I want to ask you to send me the
original studio-version of your songs in january next year. ( I can
still wait some months). And then your songs will be heard here in
Ridderkerk in Holland. And Ridderkerk is a little place 8 miles from
Rotterdam .
I'm sorry for my bad English, but I think my English is much better
than your Dutch !! Greatings, Ad van Eijk >> dit bericht is
gescanned op virussen <<
--Ad van Eijk
Ridderkerk, netherlands
10/25/2002
You literally made the evening with your songs and endearing nature.
Thanks so much!!!!!! Hope you will return in 2003
Paula
--Ethan Allen days
Manchester, VT
5/1/2002
I am writing to thank you for givng your time and
talent on behalf of The Old Manse. Your music at the
Summer Sunday music afternoon on July 16th. It was
a wonderful treat for all those who stopped by or sauntered through the
grounds.
We hope to continue this music series next summer and that you will be
willing to return.
We will be in touch with you in the Spring to see
if you will join us again.
With much appreciation and looking forward to hearing you in the
future.
Elizabeth T. Berk
for The Old Manse House Committee
--The Trustees of Reservations
Concord, Ma
2/27/2001
On Behalf of the Society for the Preservation of
NewEngland Anntiquities I would like to thank you
for the wonderfulf music you have provided for us.
The orginal plan was to use your music as background
during an education program at one of our historic
sites. Now that a few people have heard your fantastic sounds,there is
an increased interest music and its possible uses for educational
purposes. Your tape is going to accompany students as they take a
Colonial walking tour of Beacon Hill.
Your music,singing and suggestions were just perfect for our needs. You
have added to our knowledge of history and we hope our visitors will
benefit as well.
Again thank you for your time,insights and talent.
Sincerely,
Nancy Joroff
Manager of School and Youth Programs
--S.P.N.E.A.
Boston, Ma.
2/27/2001