The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone
Cherish the Ladies · 2001
59 min · 13 tracks
A vibrant tapestry of traditional Irish folk, interwoven with rich vocal harmonies and spirited instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Erin Grá Mo Chrói (Ireland Love of My Heart) — This track beautifully captures the emotional depth of longing for one's homeland, highlighted by lush harmonies and poignant melodies.
-
→
The Broom of the Cowdenknowes — Opens the album with an infectious energy, combining lively fiddles and rhythmic structures that set a celebratory tone for the collection.
-
→
Queen of Connemara / The Carraroe Jig / The Lilting Fisherman — This medley showcases the band's virtuosic instrumental abilities and reflects their commitment to preserving traditional jigs while adding fresh interpretations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines traditional elements with strong vocal harmonies, making it a notable entry in the Irish folk revival.
What we noticed
- Vocal harmonies are prominent throughout, often featuring call-and-response patterns between the lead vocalist and backing singers.
- The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a lively pace while others slow down for more reflective moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- spirited tunes for lively gatherings
- heartfelt harmonies for sing-alongs
- engaging storytelling through melodies
- inviting warmth for cozy evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek minimalistic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone' was released in 2001, Cherish the Ladies had established themselves as a prominent voice in the Irish-American music scene following their debut album in 1992. This album marked their fifth studio effort, showcasing their maturation both as musicians and as cultural ambassadors of Irish heritage.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Altan· The Chieftains· Lúnasa
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Broom of the Cowdenknowes 4:33
- 2 Freeborn Man of the Traveling People 4:05
- 3 Rambling Irishman 5:23
- 4 Bonny Blue-eyed Nancy 5:43
- 5 Raveled Hank of Yarn Set: Mullin's Fancy / The Raveled Hank of Yarn / Gilbert Clancy's 3:29
- 6 Erin Grá Mo Chrói (Ireland Love of My Heart) 5:16
- 7 An Poc Ar Buile (The Mad Puck Goat) 4:14
- 8 I'll Walk Beside You 3:16
- 9 The Colliers' Set: The Two-and-Six-Penny Girl / The Humours of Drinagh / The Colliers 4:01
- 10 Queen of Connemara / The Carraroe Jig / The Lilting Fisherman 6:42
- 11 Down by the Glenside 4:13
- 12 The Jolly Beggarman 3:35
- 13 Last Night's Fun Set: Last Night's Fun / The Chattering Magpie / The Black Haired Lass / The Commodore 4:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.