Cherish the Ladies Albums (10)
What The Critics Say
Cherish the Ladies' tenth studio album is reliable without being redundant, soft without seeming slight, and as rollicking as it is sentimental. Joined by a small army of guests that read like Celtic and singer/songwriter royalty (Sharon Shannon/Triona Ni Dhomhnaill/Phil Cunningham/Kate Rusby/Eddi Reader), the Ladies have crafted a beautiful set that harks back to their 1992 debut. The impossibly lovely voice of Heidi Talbot -- it's like standing between Alison Krauss and Kirsty MacColl singing at the same time -- carries each ballad, both traditional ("Green Fields of Canada," "Bogie's Bonnie Belle") and contemporary ("Sweet Thames Flow Softly"), with such effortlessness that it's a wonder she even has to move her mouth, while the band makes high-octane instrumentals like "Jigs: Carolan's Favorite Jig/The Rakes of Cashel/Highland March in Oscar & Malvina" and the ferocious title track sound like the very forces of nature in human form. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Christmas music lends itself so well to Celtic instrumentation that it's virtually impossible not to get caught up in the spirit of the season. The Irish-American quintet Cherish the Ladies, originally conceived for a concert series by Mick Maloney for the Ethnic Folk Arts Center and the National Endowment for the Arts, tackles the crowded yuletide release onslaught with a warmth and elegance that should find the delightful On Christmas Night a popular holiday favorite for years to come. Standards like "Silent Night," "Little Drummer Boy," and "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" are reverent and unpretentious, allowing lead singer Heidi Talbot's fluid tenor to soar, while regional classics like "Henry Roe McDermott/The Holly and the Berry" and "Ding Dong Merrily on High/The Cordal Jig/Old Apples in Winter/Con Cassi" showcase the group's exquisite musicianship. Holiday records, especially of the Celtic variety, have become a dime a dozen, but Cherish the Ladies, with their quiet passion for the material and refusal to paint the ten tracks with thick gobs of keyboard and studio trickery, have made an intoxicating jug of punch that merits repeated visits. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
'The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone'
Release Date 4/17/2001
Tracks 13
Label Windham Hill
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What The Critics Say
The Celtic folk ensemble known as Cherish the Ladies is made up of a number of talented female musicians who play accordions, flutes, whistles, fiddles, and more. The members are Joanie Madden, Mary Coogan, Mary Rafferty, Heidi Talbot, Donna Long, and Marie Reilly. This award-winning group has done a lot of instrumental work, but these ladies can also sing in harmony together -- quite nicely, in fact. That said, there are still a few instrumental numbers on here to be had. When The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone was released in early 2001, Cherish the Ladies had been performing together for around a decade. This is the group's eighth album, and it carries a nice offering of Irish-American folk music that is sure to please Celtic fans. The tunes on this album move from gentle to an energetic pace, fitting any good step dance. A great addition to your keeper shelf. ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It's pretty rare that any good comes of signing a traditional Celtic band to a major record label. In this case, the results have been mixed but generally good. The second Cherish the Ladies album on RCA has family participation as its theme, and for the most part it works out quite well: guests include the Clancy Brothers (father and uncle of Cherish the Ladies singer Aiofe Clancy), accordion player Jim Coogan (father of guitarist and banjo player Mary Coogan), and flutist Seamus Egan (brother of fiddler Siobhan Egan). There are several very fine reel and jig sets and a lovely rendition of the traditional song "Matt Hyland," sung beautifully by Aiofe Clancy. And there's also a nice performance of "John of Dreams," sung here by various members of the Clancy family. But the inclusion of Dan Fogelberg's "The Leader of the Band" sounds like a label executive's idea, and there's a tameness to the overall sound that is a bit disappointing. Still, this album will probably appeal to all but the snobbiest Celtic music fans. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Cherish the Ladies' major-label debut, Threads of Time, is a terrific collection that balances traditional Celtic and Irish folk with original material that captures the spirit of classic Celtic. Being on a major doesn't dilute the group's music, and the record is as enchanting and wonderful as any of their previous albums. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
'Irish Women Musicians of America'
Release Date 2/21/1995
Tracks 14
Label Shanachie
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'Cherish the Ladies' Artists'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 14
Label Shanachie
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What The Critics Say
Their first album as an ensemble is also one of the finest American Irish records ever. It features dance music, airs, and songs sung by Cathy Ryan. ~ Steve Winick, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This followup to The Back Door is another marvelous display of tight group playing and soloing. Johnny Cunningham produced it. ~ Steve Winick, All Music Guide
