THERE is little doubt that the McMorrows are the most influential Irish band in Arizona. John and Jerry McMorrow started playing at Irish events as children and their band has been playing since the early '90's.

Over the years, the McMorrows came to define what Irish music is to the people in the Phoenix area. This is obvious when their selection of pub standards are covered by the other area pub bands due to audience requests. Certain variations on pieces such as their add-on chorus to the song "Irish Rover" are used by all the local bands. Less obvious is the fact that virtually every local pub band has a fiddle and mixes fiddle tunes in with the vocals and caters to dancers. This is not necessarily the case in other cities.

It is a testament the impact of the McMorrows that they were invited to perform at the Irish Summerfest near Cleveland, Ohio August 23-25 based on having played there four years ago.

Like most pub bands, the McMorrows made their reputation by doing rousing sing along standards and up-tempo instrumentals. But a key to their success has been their ability to provide variety in volume and tempo. They are able to mix in slower material while keeping their audience's attention. This is not small feat and only elite bands seem to be able to pull this off.

It takes a special skill for vocalists to really deliver on the slow material and the McMorrows clearly demonstrate this in their latest CD, Ireland on My Mind. The CD has some great up tempo material such as "When The Boys Come Rollin Home", "Golden Jubilee", and their original "Paddy's in Hell" along with some great fiddle tunes performed by guest fiddle player Sheila Maguire (most recently touring with Lord of the Dance).

Perhaps the most emotional piece is a reading of a poem called "The Last Alarm" from the perspective of the son of firefighter. It is read by John McMorrow with the tune "Boolavogue" being played in the background. After 9/11, I suppose everyone has a greater appreciation of firefighters, but even so, the fact that John is himself a firefighter gives the piece an extra sense of meaning.