Bob Halligan

Ceili Rain's second OCP release is bursting with charm, humor, zest and spiritual depth -- everything you'd expect from these fun-loving musical geniuses.

Same wonderful band -- earthier sound, more direct message
The instrumentation remains the same: that quirky combination of rock and Celtic, distinguished by tin whistle, uilleann pipes, button accordion, fiddle and mandolin. But this album takes a noticeably different approach. Earthier in sound and more spiritually candid, these 14 new tracks make a case for the power and purpose of prayer.

Danceable title track; cool praise and worship anthem
The title track is pure joy. Full of bounce and verve, it makes your feet twitch -- as the title implies it should. A slow-building praise and worship anthem, "Say Yes to You" is a fervent musical prayer, asking, like Mary, "May all I am, and all I do, say yes to you."

One of Bob's strongest compositions to date
One of Bob Halligan's strongest compositions to date, "Kneeling" presents an alternative—and thoroughly Christian—response to current events. Colored by bagpipe and fiddle, this thought-provoking ballad states, "You ask me what I think of the war; you ask what I think it was for... My position, my only position is kneeling."

Their trademark humor shines once again
Their trademark humor comes out in songs like "Shut Up and Pray" and "If God Was Chocolate." Buoyed by catchy, cheerful melodies, both tell stories of transformation, ending with a changed attitude toward prayer.

They've got something to say -- it's a joy to hear it
"I ain't gonna shush, if there's something to say," Bob sings in "Shush." This popular band certainly has something to say. As always, it's a joy to hear it. Whatever Makes You Dance is everything Ceili Rain fans could hope for and, for those poor souls who don't know them, an excellent icebreaker.

Introducing Ceili Rain, one of best-kept secrets in contemporary Christian music. Described as a cross between the Beatles and the Chieftains, this talented group adds button accordion, bagpipes, tin whistle and fiddle to the usual guitars and drums to create a flamboyant, Celtic-Irish flavored pop-rock sound you can't resist. Change in Your Pocket, their fourth and most recent album -- and first for OCP -- proves they continue to perfect this unique and mirthful style.

Led by Bob Halligan, Jr., Ceili Rain takes a gentle, roundabout approach to evangelizing. Knowing many folks "don't love to be preached at," they create music that speaks to us where we're at, presenting the Christian message in the context of everyday life. Intended for "kids from three to 93," as Bob puts it, the 12 original songs on Change in Your Pocket will reach even the most hard-hearted of us.

The title track suggests that even the smallest acts of charity can make an enormous difference: "With the change in your pocket you could change the world." Selected to appear on the Live It! compilation and one of this album's highlights, "Pencil in Your Hand" is a beautifully written pop gem asking God to let us be the pencil he uses to "write Your people a love letter." Disguised as a light-hearted baseball song, "This Is October" gently encourages us all to take seriously the work and service we've been called to.

Drummer Jerry Marotta, who has recorded with Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Sarah McLaughlan and many others, produced the collection. Jerry also plays drums here, joining the core band members on a number of tracks. Tony Levin, who has played with Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and John Lennon, joins them on bass.