Jack Callahan

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Illinois Entertainer

Singer-songwriter Jack Callahan, with a cast of talented backing musicians, makes his solo debut with the eight-song This Unsettled Life. Formerly with the traditional Irish group Salthill Mines, Callahan shows his personal, sensitive side on tracks like “Breathe Deep Now” and “Let Me In.” His heartfelt vocal delivery and acoustic guitar work, recorded with a live quality, are undeniably authentic, almost folky. He even retains some of his past influences with the Irish tin whistle on “Kicking The Wall.” (www.jack-callahan.com) - Jason Scales - Illinois Entertainer 02/06

Irish American News

Jack Callahan has just released his album titled "This Unsettled Life." His unique songwriting style incorporates a variety of influences including pop, rock and world music with a sprinkle of Irish which gives Jack's song their own creative taste.

Celtic Beat Magazine

Jack Callahan must be feeling like he’s right on the edge – like something’s going to happen. It certainly should when word of his first solo album, This Unsettled Life, gets around.

It’s been said that you can’t always judge a book by its cover, but even from the CD cover design I had a feeling it would be impressive. I was not disappointed.

Apparently, Jack Callahan was a good musical student and paid attention to his mentors and teachers. He has effectively taken the sum of his experience and musical influences (rock, pop, Irish, world) and has assimilated and developed them into a unique and creative style.

Callahan’s first track, “Kicking the Wall,” reminded me of the Sawdoctors. The style and lyrics are simple and conjure easy images that actually seemed more like good memories to me. Bodhran and tin whistle accompaniment only enhanced the Celtic tone of this song.

As a songwriter, he’s brilliant. Callahan writes with a flavor that people can relate to. We have favorite songs because there’s something personal about the lyrics or because we associate them with a particular time or situation in our lives or else because we simply like the melody. Lots of favorites will be coming from This Unsettled Life.

Jack Callahan has a way of reminding us – through beautiful musical compositions with a blend of instruments and lyrics to be taken to heart – that although life has ups and downs, just never lose focus and never “just settle.”

In the words of Jack Callahan, “It’s been a long time coming /But I see clearly ahead /There was a holding pattern /Now it’s all sorted in my head.”

Please, Jack, keep the words and music coming.
— Pam Sullivan Wehbi

www.cdbabel.com

Jack Callahan's song writing is strong, with a style that bridges between Jack Johnson and Irish folk music. The album sounds great. Soft and Sweet. The guitar is round yet crisp.
— E Jeff Einowski