The Lucky Charms

I've been charmed.
I chanced upon The Lucky Charms at O'Malley's Pub in Weston when a few friends gathered in the underground venue to celebrate my niece Jessie's birthday. I've seen them twice since, and have at least two future dates inked to date.
Go to www.theluckycharms.com and, because they are nice folk, you can listen to some of their music free. Or you can buy their debut CD, which I'll review for you now.
The Lucky Charms is a nice sampling of what this band from the greater Kansas City area does best: harmony, nice playing, and fun - all with a bit o' the Irish mixed in to spice it up.
Although five of the 11 cuts are termed "traditional," The Lucky Charms make them their own, such as "Nancy Whiskey," in which they nicely blend a bit of the standard "Heart and Soul." It's a catchy tune, about drinking of course, and I find myself humming it several times a day.
But the one that comes to me the most is Dominic Behan's "Black & Tans." It's a rousing song with definite Irish roots. It stands alone, but if you take the time to Google or Wikapedia the demons who carried that nickname, you'll get a definite appreciation for why it's one The Lucky Charms really belt out. And they "charm" it a bit, too - slipping in someof The Ramones "What I Like About You."
As you can learn on their website, The Lucky Charms is made up of three ladies and a gentleman. Christine "Cricket" Pugh is the original member; she plays guitar, flute and tin whistle. Alaina Romine plays guitar and bass. Dori Walker Como plays the Irish drum. Gerry Monks plays guitar and mandolin.
And they all sing ... very well. The harmony of the three women is a real treat - check out "The Skye Boat Song" on the website as a good example. And aside from his excellent playing, Gerry comes through very strong on his two original songs on the CD, "The New World," a upbeat song that can stir the heart of anyone who can trace their family tree to the Emerald Isle, and "One Last Jar" (again, about drinking) which is my second favorite song on the CD (next to "Black & Tans.")
The Lucky Charms is an outstanding first effort for the group. But if you want to fully appreciate it, you're going to have to come hear them perform so you can be charmed as well.
Having both packed-house and snow-restricted shows to compare, I can testify that they are great fun. They'll mix songs from the CD with a wide variety of American folk, Celtic tunes, and covers, ranging from Janis Joplin to Richard Thompson. If Cricket doesn't have the song in her head or her Big Book, she'll do it best to have it ready when you come back for another show ... and you will come back.
The Lucky Charms both entertain and involve their audiences, giving little assignments that range from singing a bit to drinking a bit to spewing a bit of mild profanity - all in fun, of course. And even if she doesn't bring along her dancing shoes, make sure to get Dori to lead you through "The Unicorn Song."
Here's wishing The Lucky Charms good luck with their CD! Best wishes for many more!

Mouton Gregarious

All I wanted for Christmas was Gisele Bundchen (with the double-dot umlaut over the u).
Not the Brazilian born super model herself, but her Amazon-size cardboard cut out that was hanging in the window of Victoria's Secret at the local mall. She was dressed in a little pink outfit, complete with a Santa hat, and was looking quite saucy.
I have to confess I wasn't sure what I would do with Gisele once I got her, but Big M, my morning mall walking partner, suggested suspending her above my bed. It was enjoyable to just think about the possibilities.
What I actually GOT for Christmas was Mouton Gregarious (emphasis on the "-ton," sounding as in "John.) Factually, I didn't really "get" Mouton - she is not my property. She is more like something I have checked out from the Library of Life and she's in charge of the due date.
Words can't really describe her ... at least words at the moment in the public library where I have a gamer on my left and a speed-scroller on my right (I don't think these people USE the keyboard!) I can certainly do a "let me count the ways" exercise, however.
First, she has a dazzling smile - a full face smile made all the more dazzling by her sparkling eyes.
Second, she's sharp ... very intelligent.
Third, she's "a hoot."
Fourth, she is fun to be with, a joy to be with, an honor to be with.
And fifth, she introduces me to some of the many people she knows as "my boyfriend."
I hope that means her return date isn't anytime soon! :)