Boiled in Lead
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Traditional and neo-traditional folk/rock/world music
Status:
Most recent release, The Well Below (EP, 2012)
See also:
Boiled in Lead's site
Comparisons:
Richard Thompson, Fairport Convention, or Steeleye Span, less punk but just as rocking as The Pogues
Covers/own material:
Own, covers, and traditional material
General comments:
Boiled In Lead about been around for over 25 years, While they're in the wrong genre to have a breakout hit, they've long been well-respected for their updated traditional sound. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)One of my favoritest bands of all time, Boiled in Lead plays what they call "Rock 'n Reel"—think Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span with a hard rock/punk sensibility, blending Celtic, Slavic and Middle Eastern rhythms with a whole lot of distortion. I first heard of them after their last tour, and had one of those epiphanies—this was the type of band I wanted to be in. The band members show up regularly as characters in Steven Brust's novels. (brni @ kappamaki . com)
Comments about live performance:
They are definitely a must-see live show. (stevev@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu)
Recommended first album:
Silver
Recordings:
- Old Lead (first 2 LPs 1985–1987)
- From the Ladle to the Grave (1989)
- Orb (1990)
- Antler Dance (1994)
- Songs From "The Gypsy" (1995)
- Alloy Complete (expanded 3-disc set, 1998)
- Alloy (best of compilation, 1998)
- Twenty Years of Rock'n'Reel (official bootlet, 2003)
- Silver (2008)
- The Well Below (EP, 2012)
Silver
Release info:
2008—Omnium Recordings—OMM2045
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Robin Adnan Anders—drum kit, tapan, percussion
Dean Magraw—acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Todd Menton—vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica
Drew Miller—dulcimer, bass guitar
David Stenshoel—fiddle, zurna
Produced by:
Boiled in Lead
Comments:
This is my first encounter with Boiled in lead though they've been going for about 25 years. It seems they're still a lively bunch capable of turning traditional material and their own songs and turn it into riveting experiences. The traditional "Jolly Tinker" gets a pretty nice joyful treatment. "House Carpenter" tells of a ship going down and is of course suitably downcast. "Berber" takes on some exotic influences and marries them well to the folk sound. "Rushes Green" takes the album to a suitable conclusion, the song being vivaciously interpreted. Folk fans will like this and so might others as well. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
The Well Below (EP, 2012)
Release info:
2012—Ominium Recordings
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Marc Anderson—drums and percussion
Dean Magraw—guitar
Todd Menton—vocals, guitar, mandolin, bodhran, whistle
Drew Miller—bass guitar, dulcimer
David Stenshoel—fiddle
Produced by:
Boiled in Lead
Comments:
The new ep by Boiled in Lead continues with their fine approach to folk music being intact and their skill as great as ever. "Wedding Dress" is a lively opener that shows the band's strong dexterity and love for their material. "The well below the valley" is a traditional song from Ireland with a bloody theme that they treat with their usual aplomb. The closing "Transylvanian Stomp" is a medley of songs from Hungary and Romania, in a typically irreverent and playful style. It's a fitting end to a great ep. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
