August 19, 2002

Under a balmy, overcast sky, among the green panorama that is Celery Flats Amphitheatre, a serene crowd gathered Friday night, breathing in the hot smell of summer and slowly bobbing their heads to the celtic celebration of Blackthorn.

The four-piece folk group consists of versatile, talented musicians, each taking on a new voice -- and a new instrument -- after almost every other song. Flawless playing accompanied harmonies so tight and clean that only one voice was barely distinguishable from the others. That voice was that of Richard McMullan, the only true Irishman in the lot.

The Belfast-born McMullan was at the front of the crowd, exchanging amusing anecdotes and playing showman.

He stood with distinguished dignity as he belted out "The Rocky Road to Dublin," a rollicking barn burner, a down-on-your-luck Irish anthem. McMullan was required to spout lyrics at tongue-twisting speed, braced all the while in a rigid, hands-in-pockets stance, concentrating. The show of incredible skill sent the crowd into excited titterings, and a murmur of approval was followed by a frenzied round of applause.

The white-haired, blue-eyed Irishman, playing at various times the guitar, mandolin and various percussion instruments, occasionally allowed the spotlight to shine on keyboardist Fred Klein. Klein has played nearly 14 years with McMullan, and the friendly jibing and tomfoolery showed their comfort level. Klein prodded the crowd into easy laughter, then manned a piano, flute, penny whistle or accordion, thilling the crowd.

Klein often stole the show, generally acting as the band's most prominent soloist. Leaping clog dancers, drunk on the spirit of the Celts, would not have been out of place as Klein played everything from mystic whisper to full-on, dash-around-the-hillside madness.

Guitarist/banjo picker Gary McMullen (no relation to Richard) plunked along perfectly as bass player Dennis Green nodded in agreement with every thumbed string. The band truly was tight, and the years of experience with which they played were evident.

Slow waves of applause drifted from the natural bowl of the amphitheater when the group played "No Man's Land," an all-too-poignant reminder of the dregs of war.

One of the more entertaining numbers of the evening was the philosophical ditty "The Scotsmen's Kilt." The lyrics pondered the age-old question, "What IS under that skirt-like garment?" The group offered an amusing explanation: It seems that the poor lad in the song was discovered to be wearing "nothing more than God has graced him with on this Earth." This revalation drew nervous chuckles from a few of the older patrons, but forced full bellylaughs from some of the more festive folk.

Blackthorn continued performing until dusk, crooning the tune "Slow and Easy," a swanky ballad and the title track of its latest album. Lanky Dennis Green distributed CDs and grinned, enjoying a night so reminiscent of an overcast Emerald Isle evening.