as of September 27th, 2006 Grrr Records is now going to maintain this site.- Thank you to Gary Z.
for getting it going he is awesome. Marty-Grrr Records
NOTE: The Crossing's MySpace site is currently maintained by a fan (that's me!). All concert and recording updates are based on public information retrieved from the Grrr Records web site and/or The Crossing's official web site.
The first time I recall seeing The Crossing was in the mid-eighties. My wife and I were attending a worship service at JPUSA in Chicago and The Crossing was the special music for the day. They sang "What Will Ye Do?" and it totally floored me (the only thing that ever came close was when Hallowed Ground covered the Violent Femmes "Jesus Walking on the Water" and I said to my wife: "The FEMMES! In church?!! No way!!")
Now, this was before Look Both Ways was released, and I don't think the band at that time was even planning on recording an album - much less playing for 20-plus years in churches, concert venues and festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe!
But I'm getting ahead of myself...
When I first saw The Crossing I had had little exposure to Celtic music. My initial impression was: "Wow! They sound just like Jethro Tull!" (although Fairport Convention was probably a closer approximation).
But just as Led Zeppelin introduced me to the urban and pre-war Blues artists from whom they were shamelessly borrowing; The Crossing opened me to all things Celtic, including the music of The Chieftains, The Irish Rovers and The Clancy Brothers as well as an interest in Celtic history and culture.
Unlike Led Zeppelin, however, The Crossing has always performed their music with a deep respect and honor of the Celtic people and culture from which they draw their inspiration. They are well-aquainted with the roots of their music, and they make a point of educating their audience in every concert.
If you've never heard The Crossing before, you're in for a treat. I hope you get to see them live some time, preferably at an outdoor event like Cornerstone Festival (it's worth the price of admission just to see the dancers outside the Gallery Tent!)
And if you're already a fan of The Crossing then you already know what I'm talking about.
Mòran taing --- many thanks!
On behalf of The Crossing,
Gary Z.
Long-Time Fan