by John O'Brien
2011. Kathleen Keane. 10 Tracks, 39 minutes.
A multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and composer, Kathleen Keane has her roots in music and her music in the roots of Irish traditional fiddle, flute, whistle and accordion. The vocals are unique, compelling and a pure bonus. Her new CD, Where the Wind Meets the Water is one of my favorite recent releases, surprising, soulful and moving Kathleen from a multi-talented instrumentalist to a complete entertainer.
First, a little background…
Kathleen is a champion Irish stepdancer, choreographer and instructor. She began her dancing career at the age of five with the Dennis Dennehy School of Irish Dancing, where Michael Flatley also studied. Kathleen quickly accumulated hundreds of medals and trophies over the years, reaching the open championship level by the age of nine, and winning the title of Midwest Regional Champion at her first regional Oireachtus.
Kathleen transferred to the Flatley School of Irish Dancing, where she was privately tutored by Michael Flatley and continued her success at the competitive level, qualifying to compete at the World Championships in Ireland seven times in seven attempts.
At the age of fifteen, Kathleen officially retired from the competitive stage; however, the demand for her skills as both a teacher and performer quickly brought her back to the dance stage. She began private tutoring and also taught Irish Dance at the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Kathleen obtained her TCRG, the Irish Dancing Certification, awarded by An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, Dublin, Ireland, landing a rare perfect score in the music portion of the exam.
A Congressional Scholar, Kathleen also graduated from Dominican University as the Distinguished Senior in the Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree Program in International Business, earning a Minor Degree in Music Performance.
Giving back in thanks to those who helped her develop her prodigious skill has been not just a desire, but a trademark. Kathleen opened The Keane Academy of Irish Music when she was only sixteen years old. She garnered numerous American and International awards, having achieved top three status in the world championships on both the tin whistle and the flute.
Music has always been her first calling. Kathleen was a child prodigy on the whistle and quickly met that excellence on other instruments too. These include (so far), what she is most known for, the fiddle, plus vocals, wooden flute and accordion. Each flows as seamlessly, and seemingly effortlessly as the grace and beauty of her fiddle. I have loved her fiddle style and mastery for a long time. Now that I have seen and heard her take the center stage in vocals, the entertainer has moved from a component of a great band, to a leading lady.
There are five original tracks of the ten on Where the Wind Meets the Water. The title track leads off, with a soft sway, accelerating into Fr. Gready’s Trip to Bockagh on flute, then a few reels keep you dancing. Kathleen’s version of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling is a nice change of pace, then she zips right back into the flute and three reels that I really enjoy. I could listen to that flute all day and Kathleen’s original, The Montana Air just floats in the expressive play. Loved it.
Vocals return in Galway, running into The Honeybee on flute. Two original trad tunes and the original Day by Day, which will slip into your brain and linger, lead into the finale, “Johnny O” on the Box – which includes a recording Kathleen made of her Grandad in his kitchen in Luggary, Maam, Co. Galway, on a hand held recorder, twenty years ago. Generations!
Guests on Where the Wind Meets the Water include the aforementioned Johnny O’ on Accordion; Dennis Cahill on Guitar; James Conway on Harmonica and Jaw Harp; William Coulter on Guitar; Al Day on Guitar; James Moore on Bass, Bouzouki and Guitar and Jackie Moran on Bodhran.
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