If I had to select one group as my all-time favorite Irish band, the choice would be crystal-clear: the Wolfe Tones. Although there are many fine Irish groups around, none of them move me as do the Wolfe Tones. The Wolfies inject massive amounts of sincerity and heart into everything they sing. They have an uncanny ability to make me feel the sadness, hope, joy, pride and tenacity of the Irish who struggle, and have struggled, throughout the years for their own identity.

Many of the their songs are political, and the Tones offer no apologies. The British government has violated and mistreated the Irish for hundreds of years, just as they did the early colonists until we banded together and sent them running back to England crying for their Queen mother. The Tones are a musical reflection of the Irish who simply wanted the sense of freedom that only self-government can bestow.

This CD is a superb sample of what the Wolfe Tones have to offer. Songs such as "On the One Road, "God Save Ireland," and "A Nation Once Again" are uplifting and reflect the unity and pride that Americans who have any sense of history can appreciate. "Some Say the Divil is Dead" and "Uncle Nobby's Steamboat" are lighthearted, fun songs that make you want to sing along. Reflecting love and hope are songs as "My Heart is in Ireland," "Let the People Sing," and "Irish Eyes." If you've never heard of the Wolfe Tones, get this fine CD and expand your musical horizons. I'm confident that you'll be wanting more. I know I did.

The Wolfe Tones are truly rebels with applause. They've got something to say and they say it with passion, style and pride. I have 14 of their CDs and hope they continue turning them out for years to come. They have not been together 40 years for nothing. Do yourself a favor and check out these fine lads.

There are times when words simply cannot convey the feelings or perceptions to the extent intended by the speaker. Such times often involve issues extending far beyond the realm of what philosophers sometimes refer to as single-plane dimensionism. When faced with situations such as this, our senses often take control and grant us the ability to visualize and experience the intangible nature of the event. The Wolfe Tones present a profound example of this phenomenon in this CD. Through their lyrics the Tones strive to help one feel the very nature of the Irish experience: eight-hundred years of senseless pain,suffering and bondage; love of country and internal fortitude; a burning desire for their own identity and freedom; rebelliousness for the cause of right in the face of overwhelming adversity, and unyielding hope, courage and valor, and they will entertain you in the process with a unique down-home musical style and passion of character guaranteed to bring a smile to the face and a tear to the eye. As you listen to songs such as Joe McDonnell, Admiral William Brown, Farewell to Dublin and all the rest, you'll know what I'm talking about. Some things you just have to experience for yourself.

The Tones have been together now for 40 years, which has to be a world record. They are the greatest Irish rebel band in history, and their mystical ability to attract fans spanning the entire spectrum of age groups remains as solid today as it did 40 years ago. Only a very small number of groups can legitimately claim this impressive honor. What more can I say? The Wolfies are awesome. Up the Tones!

While a 25th anniversary is known as a "silver" anniversary, the music on these two CDs is solid gold!

True to their unwaivering spirit, the Wolfe Tones deliver another generous portion of human courage, faith and smiles on a silver platter.

This album is like a seven-course meal, it's loaded with variety. You'll hear everything from slow, melodic ballads of struggle and strife to heartlifting and invigorating songs of steadfast rebellion. For dessert, some of the songs have been sweetened with an accordian, drums and electric guitar. The electric guitar in "Broad Black Brimmer" fits this moving song like a well-worn and comfortable shirt. It rocks, and rocks very well; The polka-like tempo of "Rock On Rockall" makes me want to sing and dance all night; and the light-hearted "Janie Mac I'm Nearly Forty" is one that those of us over 30 can certainly identify with. What a smile this song brings.

There's just not enough room in this forum to describe the heart of each and every song on this album. It's a great sampling of the Wolfe Tones' tremendous ability to ford the gap of musical style with equal enthusiasm, ability and heart. When I play their music in my office at work (which is quite often), it's amazing how many colleagues suddenly feel the need to confer with me about this or that. If you're looking for some outstanding Irish folk music that really has something to say, you need to look no further than the Wolfe Tones and this album.

A tip of the brimmer and a shot of Jack Daniels to the Wolfies! Up the Tones!!!!!!!!

What do you get when you combine spirit, passion, talent, love of country, and rebelliousness with a live audience? The Wolfe Tones "Live Alive-Oh."

Everywhere one goes these days, one is bombarded with shallow, heartless synthesised noise spewing forth from the cavities of talentless, plastic people that some aspiring executive, isolated within the bland synthetic walls of a corporate cubicle, with a really warped sense of humor calls "music." While this may enthrall those suffering from mental impotency, it leaves those of us who hold in high esteem the joy and passion of the human condition out in the cold. If this is the kind of environment you seek, stop right here and return to your game shows and soap operas. If you need more, read on.

Be not of concern friends. The Wolfe Tones are an awesome group that you can really warm up to. In fact, I believe that the Wolfe Tones are a textbook example of why Irish folk music enjoyes the popularity that it does.

The Wolfe Tones sing of sorrow and hardships, of happiness and hope with equal enthusiasm. Their lyrics will bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye. They will also raise your spirits to new heights and make you want to get up and dance and sing along, and they do it all from the heart.

5 gold stars and a standing ovation to the Wolfe Tones for this great CD!

Rousing, thought provoking, emotional, and absolutely enjoyable. You don't have to be Irish to appreciate these songs from the heart or to identify with Ireland's lengthy struggle for freedom. Until we won our independence from the English over 200 years ago, we Americans suffered the same forms of injustice as the Irish do still today. Similar experiences create strong bonds.

The Wolfe Tones will raise your spirits; they'll make you laugh and shed a tear for those oppressed; and they'll make those of us who enjoy freedom today appreciate it even more.

"Come Out Ye Black and Tans" describes well the character of the English military in a rousing, hand-clapping style; "Twice Daily" is an upbeat and happy song that'll have you singing along from the start; "Sean South of Garryowen" is a beautiful and moving ballad of doomed struggle and individual sacrifice for freedom's sake. "On the One Road" is yet another rousing and upbeat song of comraderie that'll have you singing along from the beginning; "Long Kesh" is a moving story about the concentration camp in Northern Ireland created by the English to punish the Irish who fought for their people's freeedom; and if the ballad of James Connolly does not bring a lump to the throat, you are either English or totally incapable of compassion and vision. The entire CD is filled with great songs such as these. Each tells a moving, powerful story of struggle, love and hope. Unlike many other musical groups in the world today, the Wolfe Tones really have something important to say,and they say it with style, conviction and bravado.

If you want some absolutely outstanding Irish folk music with a lot of heart, you need look no further than the Wolfe Tones.

By its very nature, folk music is an overt expression of socio-political reality, both past and present, as witnessed, experienced and perceived by the performing artist(s). Consequently, one's knowledge of history, culture, and politics, combined with unique personal experiences, will inherently influence the manner in which any type of folk music is analyzed and accepted. This, of course, is why any given single piece of music can invoke a myriad of powerful emotions, opinions and debate.

I'm the first to admit that my knowledge of Irish culture and history is not as refined as I would like it to be. I can,however,say that as an American whose countrymen once suffered the bitter scourge of English oppression, it is easy to identify with the intense passion of the Irish people who seek the dignity and self-respect that only quality self-government can bestow.

The extremely talented Wolfe Tones have done a tremendous job of expressing the soul-draining pain and sorrow brought about by years of brutal oppression; they break through the wall of apathy with an intense and blatant desire for freedom; and they are passionately proud of their love of God and country. They are indeed rebels with a cause. I find their music stirring, thought-provoking and powerful. It's also gentle and soothing to the spirit.

Rifles of the I.R.A. is, in my opinion, a great CD and a must-have for anyone who enjoys the finest in folk music.

Combining the harsh, frustrating and highly-complex realities of Soviet bureaucratic existence with the passionate desire and efforts of a highly intelligent, methodical, no-nonsense forensics-expert-turned-detective to stop a criminally insane indivdual from killing Mother Russia's children, Citizen X is an intellectual masterpiece in every respect. It is a true story. This film is not for everyone, however. Because this superb film is not a conglomeration of high-speed auto chases, absurd explosions and fireballs, blood, guts and gore, and the inevitable single individual who saves mankind from the clutches of evil, the typical American will in all probability not like this film nor be able to fathom its tremendous significance. Had this film been released through the normal Hollywood avenues, it probably would not have been a box office success for the reasons already mentioned. If, on the other hand, you are a person of reason and intellect who appreciates the struggles of human existence, you will enjoy this great HBO film.