By George O'Brien

"The Maiden Voyage of Oceans Apart" is the debut CD of two of Arizona's best known and highly respected Celtic musicians, Steve Colby and

John Good. As expected, this combination of great talents produced an outstanding CD.

They not only offer music from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; but also the Celtic region of eastern Canada while providing their own unique interpretation of the music with beautiful results.

Steve Colby is something of an institution on the local music scene and a vocalist and instrumentalist on the guitar, banjo, and Irish bouzouki. He had a great reputation within the folk scene before getting into Irish music back in the 90's. With the Rambling Rovers and Seanachie, Steve established himself as a first rate pub singer who could get a crowd clapping and singing along. In addition to his pub singing, Steve had developed an equally strong reputation for doing ballads and sea shanties.

John Good was a studio musician in Los Angeles before coming to Phoenix. After a few years of not playing, he got back into doing Welsh and Celtic music and formed the great Welsh Pan Celtic band Afan. While no longer active, music by Afan is still played on the BBC Wales radio

station. John Good is not only an outstanding flute and whistle player, he also plays guitar and does vocals.

John's skill as an accompanist on the flute and whistle has made him a popular guest artist CDs by Brid Dower and by The Clare Voyants. As outstanding as Steve Colby is as solo vocalist, there is little doubt that John Good's accompaniment on the flute and whistle makes a world of difference.

Joining Steve and John at some of their performances and on the CD are Brid Dower on vocals and Mary Bouley on harp. Brid Dower is star performer in her own right and fronts the popular Brid Dower which includes John Good. On the CD "Maden Voyage of Oceans Apart", Brid can be heard doing backup vocals on several tracks. Tucson based Mary Bouley only joined Oceans Apart recently and has been part of New Potatoes, Celtic Reel, and Trim the Velvet. Last year she was a guest harpist at Chieftains concert.

With talent of this caliber, it is hardly surprising that the result would be first rate, but the result is not like anything they have done before. Oceans Apart set out create a new sound and new identity. They have succeeded.

The band name, Oceans Apart refers to the different Celtic musical traditions but it also refers to the number of songs of the sea they do. There is an enormous overlap of Celtic music and sea shanties. All the Celtic nations border on the sea and the Celtic music of eastern Canada typically has a nautical theme. On "Maiden Voyage", songs with nautical themes include: The Man from Tralee, Bonnie Heilen Laddie, Bluenose, Rolling Down to Old Maui, Mingulay Boat Song, The Mary Ellen Carter, and Safe in the Harbor. The CD cover has a view of the Irish Sea as seen from Wales while a drawing of a 19th century seagoing steamer on the back cover that reinforces this theme.

Some of the sea songs may not be as familiar to local Irish music fans, the two Andy M. Stewart classics "Take Her In Your Arms" and "Queen of All Argyle" should be. I've always said Steve Colby's "Queen of All Argyle" is best rendition this side of Andy himself, but now listeners can judge for themselves.

Most of Steve Colby's vocals include backup vocals by John Good and some include Brid Dower. Most songs include John Good on flute or whistle, but he uses the harmonica on a couple of pieces as a change of pace.

One of the highest compliments someone can give for a CD is that is "wears well", meaning it can be played over and over without losing its impact. "Maiden Voyage of Oceans Apart" is that kind of CD. Most of the songs on this CD are Steve Colby's favorites. After listening a few time, they will the listener's favorites too.
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1. The "Man From Tralee" is a haunting song that tells the true story of man who was drown while working on fishing trawler. Steve Colby is on lead vocals with John Good and Brid Dower on backup.

2. "Bonnie Heilen Laddie" is an up tempo traditional sailor's work song with an infectious call response style. Steve Colby is on lead vocals with John Good on backup.

3. "Take Her In Your Arms" is the humorous Andy M. Stewart song where the chorus is very cheery and upbeat, but the verses tell a very different, twisted, story.

4. The Hornpipe set is led by John Good on the whistle with Steve Colby on guitar. Hornpipes are done in the 2/4 tempo and are often identified with sailor dances. The tunes include Liverpool, Good Natured Man, Rights of Man, and Coolies.

5. "Take Me Home" is a sentimental song performed by John Good about returning to home in Wales.

6. "Bluenose" is an up tempo Canadian song about a sailing ship with Steve Colby on lead vocals and John Good on backup vocals and flute backup.

7. "Mawl a Marwand Afan" (In Praise and Lamentation for Afan) was written and sung by John Good (and with whistle on the interludes) with Mary Bouley on the harp.

8. "Maui Medley - Rolling Down to Old Maui/Mingulay Boat Song/Coolie's Reel" is a combination of vocals by Steve Colby and John Good (Brid Dower joins on backup vocals) which includes an extensive instrumental interlude led by John Good on flute.

9. "Farewell to the Rhondda" is an up tempo song about closing of the mines with Steve Colby and John Good on vocals. John also contributes with the harmonica.

10. "Tom Alarch" (Swan Song) is a traditional air performed by John Good on flute with Colby on guitar accompaniment.

11. "The Mary Ellen Carter" is the classic Stan Rogers song about the raising of ship that was lost at sea with John Good and Brid Dower on backup vocals.

12. "Bahan Neyodd yu y Tylwyth" (New Baby in the Tribe) is tune written by John Good which leads into Steve Colby doing an outstanding rendition of the Andy Stewart song, "Queen of All Argyle" (John Good and Brid Dower on backup vocals).

13 "Safe in the Harbour" is a ballad

Oceans Apart will be at Seamus McCaffrey's on Sunday at noon.