Sliotar is hi-burn exuberance in modern Celtica, and a CD that'll leave many gasping. Ray MacCormac plays an extraordinary set of Uillean pipes and whistles backed by J.P. Kallio on an alternatingly delicate and fierce guitar while Des Gorevan mans the percussives in a difficult position of one-man rhythm section...and that's it, just three gents but, man, what a sound! MacCormac has an exhilarating high end constancy that's mindful of Paul McCandless (Oregon) and Sliotar demonstrates a wondrous marriage of old and new.

Nor is their hand at balladry inapt. Did You Miss Today? is engagingly positive despite the melancholy and longing. The winds, however, are the most enchanting and the vocalist gentle and persuasive while Kallio's beat in just a snare and kick drum flows into the measures like a soft heartbeat. Normandy Night is mindful of an indigo swallowtail flying through a summer's day despite the title, the gorgeous melody of the whistle urging earthbound bipeds to join in the ecstatic flight. Like a little over half the disc, it's an original tune, the rest being traditionals but so heartfully played that they sound as if written yesterday.

It's said that this group's true nature is best displayed in their live shows, but, laying an ear to The Drunken Landlady and its banshee swift flight of fancy, I'm not sure my heart could take that much lightning brilliance, so I may well have to avoid this ultra-talented trio if they make it to L.A. Once again, I'm really not all that nuts about Irish / Celtic / Gaelic musics despite my genetic background (Armstrong on my mother's side), but, sweet Saint Paddy, I'll have to be changing my tune awfully damned fast if I keep running across material like this.
Mark S. Tucker
Acoustic music

‘WOW!’ was my first impression when I put on this CD, people still making and pushing Irish music in this day and age amazes me! I really thought Ireland had caught up in the world wind of global modernisation and Irish Trad was out dated. How wrong I was?? The fact that this band Sliother are still playing the nations music with such originality is incredible as well as bringing in old traditional songs with modern compositions, is pure genius. The band consists of, Des Gorevan on the percussion and drums, J.P Kallio does vocals, guitar, bouzouki and kantele, while Ray MacCormac whistles, sings and plays the Uilean Pipes. They perform in the Porterhouse in Dublin regularly and tour around Europe. It is worth seeing them live. Their album ‘Cirque de Sliotar’ should be blasting from the stereos in Irish pubs up and down the country, or playing in your car whilst you drive through Irelands breath taking landscape, well what’s left of it. Well-done lads!
Laura McGlynn
Musicreviewunsigned.com

From Dublin comes a refreshing blend of Irish traditional folk/rock fusion that separates itself from many groups now performing this now popular genre. This is the group’s fourth CD and features a good mix of instrumentals and sing-a-longs, both modern and traditional, that will put you happily in a dark pub somewhere in Ireland. Sometimes mellow, sometimes just bouncing down the road, these are 11 great tracks of authentic Irish fare from the three-piece out of the nation’s capitol, who have built a respectable name for themselves throughout Europe. If you are looking for the real deal, look no further.
Jason Walsh
AMP Magazine

Whoa! We thought at first it was an acoustic "Who" with the uilleann pipes doing the Rodger Daltry part. But no, it was the high-energy Sliotar giving it some wellie; which they continue to do through the whole album. More like 'ear-grabbing' folk music than the finger-in-the-ear ballad and chorus style. Definitely lively & well worth a listen.
All Celtic Music

"The Cirque de Sliotar finally captures the contemporary folk-rock sound that is all too obvious at the band's gigs. The fast tracks were our favourites. Listening to them, it is easy to picture concert goers jumping to their feet much the same way Horslips inspired an earlier generation with their mix of traditional and modern."
"Tracks like Lupo, Cirque de Sliotar, Bum Chuck, The Wall of Liscarrol and Drunken Landlady will liven and improve the mood at any gathering."
Raidió Idirlín

"The music is traditional Irish, and this crew of three makes the most of its limitations. They manage to mobilize a bigger and fuller sound than many a band that has twice their size. The instrumental tunes are arranged in a highly original manner, with interesting twists and turns. The choice of songs is excellent"
"Sliotar's music is pure strong stuff."
-Walkin' T:-)M,
Folk World

"Sliotar has a sound that is both simple and rich with a production style that blends just two or three instruments at time and lets each stand out."
Tom Nelligan,
Dirty Linen

"FIRST HEARING: A flute-led jig set that grows o-so-slowly but deliberately, and makes an interesting change from a full ahead set of reels. Sliotar are a trio of traditional based musicians who are new to us but certainly impressed with this CD. "
All Celtic Music