The Crimson Pirates are a piratical folk group based in New Jersey who perform at Renaissance Faires and the like. Their Web site bio explains:
The Crimson Pirates started in 1996 at the New York Renaissance Faire at Sterling Forest in Tuxedo, New York. The original group performed the fight/stunt show Buccaneer's Brawl and comprised current members Robin Flanagan, Don Kilcoyne, Karen Komornik, Dan O'Driscoll and Lionel Ruland. The stage show also included Angela Bonacasa, Joseph Kentner and Suzanne O'Hare . . . Since that initial production at NYRF -- the additions of Ann Alford, Chris DeTroy, Jared Hoffert, Kelly Kilcoyne, Ann Kirby, Kelley McKinnon, Alen O'Hara, Bevan Ruland, & Mark Schryver have swelled our ranks (we now officially constitute a 'gaggle' of pirates). Depending on member availability and venue budget constraints -- we generally perform as a group of five to eight singer/musicians (and sometimes a baker's dozen). Our group has since gone on to perform in 2 off-off-broadway productions: The Crimson Pirates: Dead Men Tell No Tales! . . . and The Crimson Pirates 2: Born to Plunder! . . . as well as at a cabaret, Rose's Turn, in the heart of Greenwich Village (NYC). We've also 'invaded' weddings, a bat-mitzvah, summer camps, numerous drinking establishments and countless renaissance/medieval faires and festivals!
Putrid and Disgusting is their third CD, and if it's an indication of how good they are then I hope to see them in person one of these days. This is fun.
The CD opens with a fiery rendition of the traditional 'Tom Of Bedlam' with group member Kelly Kilcoyne on lead vocal and the rest of the crew on the chorus. Kilcoyne's voice is a bit raucous and immediately reminded me of Heather Alexander. From the opening tune I expected a CD of rollicking music and I wasn't disappointed, but I was a bit surprised when the second song was a gospel hymn, 'Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy', from nineteenth century evangelist Philip P. Bliss. As the lyrics compare being a good Christian to keeping the low lights burning on the shore to keep sailors safe from the rocks, it's a good fit for this CD, but it was a bit of a surprise. The crew sings this one a cappella and with lovely harmonies, and it is a beautiful piece.
About half of the remaining songs on Putrid and Disgusting are traditional pieces: 'Run the Riggin' Again', 'Rolling Home', 'Skye Boat Song', 'Sailor's Way', 'Black Velvet Band', 'Henry Martin', 'Fire Maringo', and 'Old Dun Cow'. The Crimson Pirates add lyrics on several of the traditional pieces, and they do a good job with their additions. Other songs such as 'Day of the Clipper' and 'Marching Inland' will be familiar to sea song aficionados. I will say without reserve that the Crimson Pirates' version of 'Barret's Privateers' is the most stirring performance of that song that I've yet heard, and I found myself repeating it several times before moving on to the next track. The title song, with new and, er, interesting lyrics (cannibalism, anyone?) by Dan O'Driscoll set to the trad. tune 'Pleasant and Delightful' is, quite frankly, both revolting and hilarious.
The Pirates are quite egalitarian, like any good ensemble group, so different group members take the lead on different songs. Kelly Kilcoyne, Dan O'Driscoll, Robin O'Driscoll, Lionel Ruland, Ann Alford, Jared Hoffert, Kelley McKinnon, and Karen O'Hara all have pleasant, if not outstanding, voices and sing with fire and enthusiasm. Group members also play guitar, concertina, penny whistle, conga, mandolin, fiddle, bodhran, djembe, and clave to fiery good affect. This is a truly shining example of good Ren Faire music: fun, sometimes bawdy, easy to sing along with, and great of heart. I look forward to playing the heck out of this CD for years to come.
