Notes
Gregory Grene grew up between Cavan, Ireland and Chicago, and is the leader and founding member of the Prodigals, one of the foremost Celtic rock bands in the United States (the Village Voice dubbed them "NYC's jig-punk answer to the Pogues.") They have six albums to their credit, and have played, and continue to play, across the U.S., from California to Columbus, Boston to Butte, as well as abroad and in Ireland. However, during his time with the band, Gregory has also played a number of acoustic or solo concerts, ranging from a classical setting at New York's Lincoln Center to a Christmas concert in St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin, Texas; and while playing at the latter with John Doyle, the concept for this album was born. In it's acoustic element the album marks a return to his more traditional roots - he trained with Liz Carroll, won the Midwest Fleadh Ceoil in both Junior and Senior divisions, and founded the Dublin University Traditional Music Society. At the same time, the highly eclectic nature of the tracks reflect the wide array of influences absorbed on his musical road, from Cajun to jazz to singer-songwriter. On this album he is joined by an extraordinary all-star array of musicians, among them: John Doyle on guitar and backing vocals, Darren Maloney on banjo, Joanie Madden on whistles and flute, Mattie Mancuso on fiddle, and Tony Cedras (from Paul Simon's band) on trumpet, as well as Prodigals' bandmates Ed Kollar (bass) and Chris Higginbottom (drums/percussion) - a line-up that would only be possible in the close-knit musical community that builds up through years traveling the musical circuit. 'Gregory Grene's original songs stay true to the style and tone of old, yet speak to modern life, in some of the most well-crafted and poetic verses I have seen.' - Punchline 'Grene's expertise on accordion and his understanding of Irish music elevate' - All Music Guide PRESS ON THE ALBUM FROM THE IRISH VOICE (AUGUST 2008) The Flip Side of Grene By Mike Farragher GREGORY Grene has had a long and successful career that spans six albums as leader of the Prodigals, whose furious punk assault on traditional Irish melodies has earned them the rightful title of jig punk kings. But there has been a flip side of his artistry that Grene has been eager to explore for a long time. "I have been working with musicians in acoustic settings for years, in anything from sessions at Lincoln Center here in New York, and more recently in Austin, Texas, with a acoustic version of the Prodigals at the Celtic Festival and the Cactus Cafe, and in St. Mary's Cathedral with John Doyle," explains Grene. "Whereas the Prodigals audience is this mad, ebullient sea of people pumping their fists in a wild party, in the acoustic environment people are often seated, but there is a different energy, the energy that comes from listening to and digesting every note and lyric. I was eager to explore this second side of the music." He does so with marvelous results in the appropriately titled FlipSides, a radical departure from the punishing beats of the band that made him famous. When a new Prodigals CD came in the mail bag in the past, I would run to the car and be coached to break all sorts of speed limits as the furious racket propelled the vehicle. I stayed in the slow lane playing FlipSides. This is an artistic triumph that instead paints a beautiful picture with introspection and melody rather than adrenaline. "Liverpool Pandora" is the only track that injects the visceral energy of the Prodigals into the melody. It is a radical rearrangement of the trad ditty "The Leaving of Liverpool" that builds an anarchistic steam as it goes along. While the singer doesn't exactly wear his heart on his sleeve, the choice of songs on FlipSides makes this a deeply personal journey without coming out and saying so. Along with original tunes, Grene reinterprets songs that have meant something to him in his life. The collection opens with "Work's Too Bloody Har
