Kila Satalla New York City– Sunday November 2, 2003
Review by Alice Farrell in New York email afarrell@jigtime.com

Walking into Satalla – The Temple of World Music in Manhattan I felt like I was stepping back more than 20 years into a psychedelic wonderland, complete with day-glo paintings on the walls and black lights giving everyone in the club an eerie glow. What more perfect setting for the most transcendental trad music out there today.

Kila, the 7 piece ensemble from Dublin , gave an empowered and empowering show that had a normally staid New York crowd up on their feet, dancing and shouting for more.

With Ronan O'Snodaigh on bodhran, percussion and vocals, Rossa O'Snodaigh on Mandolins, whistle, djembe and bones, Colm O'Snodaigh on Flute, whistle, saxophone and percussion, Eoin Dillon on Uillean pipes and Low Whistle, Dee Armstrong on fiddle and bodhran, Lance Hogan on Guitar and Brian Hogan on bass, this is one of the most incredibly talented and diverse group of musicians you're likely to witness. Throughout the course of the evening they all navigated the entire stage, switching off so that at some point in the evening each of them was playing the full drum kit as well as their various regular instruments.

The central presence, as always, was Ronan O'Snodaigh with his shamanistic intensity and brilliant vocals and fleet fingered bodhran playing which never ceases to amaze me.

A welcome addition this evening was Dee Armstrong, their regular fiddler in Ireland , who due to family obligations (being the mother of three children) does not often make the trip over to the U.S. She is an integral part of the backbone of their sound, and it was wonderful to hear her in flying form.

The evening began with The Compledgegationist: O'Callaghan's Fight of Fancy a set of reels which began with mesmerizing maracas and pipes which were then driven into whirlwind of sound.

Many of the pieces in the show came from their most recent release Luna Park which is available through their website or on Amazon.com and would be a terrific addition to any collection. Some highlights included a rousing performance of Glanfaidh me a song of purging and moving on, cleaning the pain out of the heart and preparing for what's ahead carries the listener along on a wave of drums and flute that gives the sense of the motion portrayed in the lyrics. Hebden Bridge a whistle driven bossa nova that sways around the notes and has one of the most catchy melodies of any tune I've heard in a long time.

Taking center stage for two quiet airs, Colm O'Snodaigh, who shares the lead vocal duties with brother Ronan, hushed the crowd with the beauty of Béilín Méala a slow air which literally translates as Honey Mouth and drips with the sentiments of love, with the singer giving all of himself over to the one he loves in return for the promise of love in return. Colm's voice soars and dives with immense grace and is stronger than ever. And Cé tu féin? – a song questioning the appearance of a dark and sad person coming into one's life and wanting to bring them some joy before sending them on their way. Hopefully a full fledged solo project from Colm won't be too far in the future!

One of my particular favorites; Gwerzy, again blends middle eastern influences with a choppy jig-time beat that made it hard to stay in your seat, and many people didn't even a few brave step dancers hopped about the place in joyous abandon.

That totally sums up the vibe of Kila, joyous abandon, beautifully played and warmly offered by a lovely group of people who know how to put back into traditional music the fire that's kept it burning so bright these many years.

The remainder of Kila's US tour includes:

Thursday 11/6/03 Great Stair Hall
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Benjamin Franklin PKwy and 26th st.
Phildelphia PA 19130
Tel: 215 763 8100
Time: 5.30pm

Friday 11/7/03 Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center
Mercyhurst College
501 East 38th Street
Erie PA 16546
Tel: 814 824 3000
time 7.30pm

Saturday 11/8/03 Munson-Williams-Protor Institute
310 Genesee Street
Utica NY 13502
Tel: 315 797 0000
Time: 8pm

Monday 11/10/03 Lake Placid Centre for the Arts
91 Saranac Ave.
Lake Placid
NY 12946
Tel: 518 523 2512
Time: 7.30pm

Or for more information log onto their website at www.kila.ie