* Selected Literary Reviews *

Comments on L.E. McCullough’s poetry, fiction and drama from

literary magazine editors, competition judges and creative writing peers:

“Jesus, man, you can really write, and no mistake. . . I get maybe five manuscripts a week which people expect me to read and criticize. Yours is the only one I ever read straight through because I was so amazed and interested. The energy level is so high and the texture is so rich and novel that I can’t imagine it matters a damn whether it’s about Indianapolis or anywhere in particular.”

    — author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. on L.E. McCullough’s poem-novella, Buddy Lee Perriman Reflects

         on the Persian Gulf Crisis, Day 15

    — Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp (New York)

“Dear Mr. McCullough, I am pleased to accept Romance Type Poem for Miz Martinez for publication. I’ve read this poem several times and it is still as funny and moving as the first time I read it.”

    — David Leftwich, Folio: A Literary Journal (Washington, D.C.)

“L.E. McCullough is a poet and songwriter who writes like the wind and has a prodigious memory for the sights, sounds and smells of growing up on the Indianapolis Westside in the 1950s and ’60s.”

    — Marion Garmel, Indianapolis Star

“Your poems are gutsy and slick and full of depth, humor and sensitivity.”

    — Jacqueline Chun, Poetry Editor, Hawaii Review

“We think all your poetry is energetic, fresh and evocative. . . we’re delighted with your work.”

   — Jean Tolle, Whetstone (Illinois)

“All the readers found your stories original and surprising, very inventive, hilarious and very well written. . . an incredible imagination.”

    — Fiona Stewart, Scrivener (Montreal)

“You are a very talented poet.”

    — Jane C. Schaul, Director, Mile High Poetry Society (Denver)

“Romance Type Poem for Miz Martinez is a terrific character piece!”

    — Christopher Corbett-Fiacco, Sisyphus (Boston)

“A Mazurka for Miss Marguerite is a wonderful example of what a good writer can do in a few pages. It is a highly original and successful story where the author proved that a skillful writer can break existing literary boundaries and create a new one.”

    — Carolyn Holbrook-Montgomery, Director, The Loft (Minneapolis)

“We hardly ever take a ‘love’ poem, but yours were too good to pass up!”

   — Jennifer MacPherson, Poetpourri (Syracuse)

“Thanks for sending your short story No Camel, Sirhan -- a fascinating read.”

    — Vandeloecht’s Fiction Magazine (Virginia)

“Your subject is mass American culture, for which you have a good feel.”

    — Martha King, Giants Play Well in the Drizzle (Brooklyn)

“Your poems have a strong ‘American’ flavour.”

    — Queen’s Quarterly (Toronto)

    — Roy West, Metropolis (Wisconsin)

“Interesting work. . . definitely will provoke discussion.”

    — Ken Stone, Thirteen (New York)

“Good use of language and personal detail in your poems, especially Club Lido, Kansas City, 1944”

    — Jessica Chosid, Long Shot (New Jersey)

“Your poems have a distinctive energy.”

    — Patrick Pritchett, Antiphony (California)

“Dear L.E. McC.: Good stuff!”

    — Appearances (New York City)

“In your poem Ice Babies in Oz, I was impressed with how clearly you portrayed the complexity of the abortion issue. I thank you for challenging all of us on this sensitive issue.”

    — Love Truitt, Common Lives/Lesbian Lives (Iowa)

“Great piece: keep in touch.”

    — Nihilistic Review (Nebraska)

“I nominated your poem Romance Type Poem for Miz Martinez for a Pushcart Prize because of its unsentimental romantic quality expressed with engaging humor.”

    — Kimberly Willardson, The Vincent Brothers Review (Dayton)

“Your plays, I must tell you, were extremely well written and received by the actors and the audiences.”

    — George Miller, director of L.E. McCullough’s original plays for Historic Philadelphia, Inc., Summer 2001

  * Music Reviews *

L. E. McCULLOUGH'S MUSIC never fails to stir up critical comment. . .

1. •  Feadanísta, Bluezette Records
   

“To call L.E. McCullough a tin whistle player is like saying Shakespeare could scribble a bit. Feadanísta contains some of the most inventive and exciting music I’ve heard in ages. With the help of a host of excellent session musicians, McCullough creates a seamless whole from elements as disparate as Cajun and Charlie Parker. His command of a broad pallette of instrumental colour, ranging from synthesizers to charango, is quite magnificent.”

    — Folk Roots (England)

“Feadanísta provides a new definition of fusion. . . folk, pop, jazz, New Age. The music may be hard to pin a label on, but it’s sure easy to like.” — Austin American-Statesman

“An eccentric ethnic stew concocted by McCullough, pennywhistler extraordinaire. . . a very convincing blend of traditional and original music.” — Option

“Feadanísta contains some of the most exciting musical ideas I’ve heard this year.”

    — John Schaeffer, Host of National Public Radio’s “New Sounds”

“This recording shines in every aspect. . . the standout feature is McCullough’s ability to penetrate to the soul of each style and meld them into a unique sound all his own that still remains faithful to the roots of each musical culture.”

    — Calliope House Newsletter (Pittsburgh)

1. •  Late Bloomer, Kicking Mule Records
   

“This is a richly textured, eclectic selection that defies simple description. Traces of rock, jazz, Irish, gospel, ragtime, oldtimey, blues and humor are woven into a tapestry which gracefully brings out the best in each style while becoming a work greater than the sum of its components.”

    — Austin Chronicle

“While quite a lot of American groups are trailing behind their European counterparts still stuck in the wake of the '70s Celtic fringe and not doing an awful lot that's original, McCullough shines out like a beacon. . . a good sign that something's beginning to stir out there in the colonies!”

    — Southern Rag (England)

“The ultimate folk-fusion. . . multi-faceted, innovative, unorthodox, and slightly nefarious.”

   — Buffalo Friends of Folk Music Newsletter

1. •  Myths for a New Millenium, Ethos Records
   

“A bold, shimmering fusion of myth, music and dance, Connlaoi’s Tale: The Woman Who Danced on Waves is a thrilling voyage into the past and a fervent prayer for the future.” — Indianapolis Star

“Riverdance, The Lord of the Dance and all of the imitators, have nothing on this stunning Celtic myth-inspired ballet.”            

    — Frank Mills, Brigit’s Feast

1. •  His Own Kind, Wildebeest Records
   

“Real music for real people — that's L.E. McCullough's claim to fame. McCullough conjures up subtle, magical images of such legends as Pete Seeger, Jim Croce, and Woody Guthrie. Yet, McCullough is his own man. He's new blood with new ideas — someone to pay attention to.” — Kaleidoscope (Philadelphia)

“Tasteful eclecticism. . . if you've ever enjoyed music by the Chieftains, the Chicago blues of Muddy Waters, the scathing political songs of Phil Ochs, or cried in your beer as a Conway Twitty number was punched up on the jukebox, this album is for you.” — Tex-Wax (San Antonio)

“L.E. McCullough is more than an exciting new voice in contemporary American folk music; he's at least a half dozen exciting new voices fluent in a dozen musical styles.” — EAR Magazine (New York)

1. •  The Ghost of His Former Self — Devilish Merry, Wildebeest Records
   

“McCullough introduces the tinwhistle, bodhran and Irish flute to Southern U.S. string band music. His playing is cleanly blown, nimbly fingered, intricately ornamented and highly spirited.” — Audio Magazine

“L.E. McCullough's tinwhistle, flute and bodhran add an entirely unique dimension to the American breakdowns, the final touch to an album that stands as the highest standard for American-British Isles fusion ensembles.” — Singout!

“McCullough's presence is that of a teacher. He draws you into his tale and his music like a magnet and paints vivid accounts of comedy and tragedy.” — Pittsburgh New Sun

1. •  A Celtic Christmas, KRB Music
   

“A lot of CDs promise Celtic, but few deliver such an authentic and enchanting experience as A Celtic Christmas. An evocative and pleasurable experience.”

    — Richard Banks, ChristmasReviews.com

1. •  St. Patrick Was a Cajun, Ossian Records/Music Sales
   

“An attractive mixture of scholarship, tradition and new tunes that sound old.” — Ivan Emke, Dirty Linen

“If there was a whistle Hall of Fame, this would put you on it, if you weren't already on it, which you would be. This is the kind of thing that I put in the category I label "Stuff That Makes Me Weep and Dance and Then Go Out in the Backyard and Bury My Whistles." Just wonderful, wonderful stuff, L.E., and I hope you are as proud as you should be to have produced this body of work. . . And, I've only listened to the first CD. The other I'll save for tomorrow for the commute back and forth to the day job.”   — Dale Wisely, editor Chiff ‘n’ Fipple Newsletter

1. •  The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor, Music Sales
   

“The best book on folk music I’ve seen all year.” — Andy Spence, Front Hall Folk Music Center

“Crammed with information about every conceivable aspect of whistle playing.” — Singout!

“A really thorough job, and I mean thorough. Congratulations!”

    — Bill Ochs, Irish Arts Center, New York City

“McCullough is a first-rate whistle player and his love of his instrument and Irish music shines through in every line. He is never pedantic or presumptuous; he informs, never lectures. And his presentation of how to go about playing the whistle makes this simply the best tutor I’ve seen to date.”

   — Michael Stoner, Lehigh Valley Folksong Society Newsletter

  * Educational Books & Plays *

   WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT. . .

           L.E. McCullough’s educational books & plays

“These books [Plays of Ancient Israel and Plays of Israel Reborn] are a resource that cure the problem of boredom and disinterest in Sunday school, while exploring the connection between our spirituality and our ethical and moral responsibilities to the world.”

   — Rabbi Edward Boraz, Roth Center For Jewish Life, Dartmouth University

“McCullough guarantees audience appeal by presenting amusing portrayals of the Old West, as well as serious treatments of historical events and prominent figures.” — Chris Sherman, Booklist

“This book [Plays from Mythology] appears to be a sure hit. Teachers and librarians will find this book valuable.

    — Paula Brown, Library Talk

“Plays from Fairy Tales is designed for integrating with classroom studies, particularly social studies, science, music and dance; easy to turn into community dramatic productions.  — Mary Romano Marks, Booklist

“L.E. McCullough has created a Christmas pageant in a package; Plays of the Songs of Christmas is a treasure.”

    — Judy Yeager, 1995 Teacher of the Year, Houston, Texas

“These plays [Plays of America] are fun and educational.”

    — Dr. James East, Associate Dean of Liberal Arts, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis

“I'll be using the Plays of America books throughout the year in my classroom.”

   — Jack Manion, 3rd Grade Teacher, Lutherville Elementary School, Lutherville, Maryland

“An excellent resource for teachers, Plays from Mythology is exactly what it professes to be: a dramatic resource for

    — Jette Halladay, Children’s Book & Play Review

“L.E. McCullough has delivered a remarkably scholarly, delightfully entertaining and wonderfully useful collection suitable for all ages. Young and old will want to revisit this book time and again.”

   — Craig Slaight, Young Conservatory Director, American Conservatory

         Theater, San Francisco

“A useful collection of plays for both children and adults, presented with both humor and intelligence.”

    — Paula Benjamin, School Library Journal

“A thoughtful foreword puts the plays into perspective, and each play comes with suggestions for staging and costumes and music. Plays from Mythology is a particularly good collection.”

    — Stephen Peithman, Stage Directions

“Selections in The Ultimate Audition Book for Teens: 111 One-Minute Monologues, Vol. 2 are brief, real and sometimes touching. They are simple enough to learn quickly and an entertaining way for readers to hone their acting techniques; a valuable resource for teachers and students alike.”

    — Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, Hemingford, Nebraska, Booklist

    — Marta Segal, Booklist

“I really enjoy your work — provocative and entertaining, intelligent and interesting, always leaving the audience in a heightened emotional state. I love it!”

    — Stephanie D. Gray, UnderCulture Theatre Company, Greensboro, NC

“Plays of the Songs of Christmas is a truly remarkable and much needed book. With its wealth of colorful characters, this book of Christmas plays is sure to become a regular staple in the holiday slot for many, many years. Charming, funny, raucous and touching, Plays of the Songs of Christmas is sure to resonate as long as the joy of Christmas is celebrated.”

    — Don Kukla, Artistic Director, Missoula Children's Theatre, Missoula, MT

“Dear Dr. McCullough: Using your play The Splendid Voyage of Kitty Doyle for our community fundraiser was an absolute joy for our student actors and their families. It was the best activity I have done with a group of kids in my 11 years of child and youth work. — John Hodgson, Director, Vaughan Neighborhood Centers, Ontario

“Looking for plays for young people? You'll find good pickings in Plays of America from American Folklore, which offer student and community theatre groups 25 original plays that dramatize the folklore of virtually every major ethnic group in America.” — Stage Directions

    — Fred Berthold, Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Dartmouth College

“The ideas, plays and vocabulary are easily understood and appropriate for young performers; Plays of America from American Folklore should appeal to children and teachers or group leaders alike.”  — School Library Journal

“In Ice Babies in Oz, McCullough presents a gripping variety of vivid scenes. These are powerful character voices for the monologues reader and their audience.” — Nancy Zachary, Voice of Youth Advocates

“From trash-class twang to a sweet-talking saleswoman's pitch and the soothing tones of an apologetic hit man, Ice Babies in Oz explores real emotions.” — Small Press

“Each of your scripts was so original and so very beautifully written, it was difficult to select only one of the group.”

    — Harvey Cocks, Managing Director, Ft. Wayne Youth Theatre

“The genius of this book [111 Shakespeare Monologues for Teens] is in the introduction, which offers a wealth of information for teens who have never encountered Shakespeare. The editors make him accessible by explaining his use of language, words, and verse. They demystify iambic pentameter and the use of thee and thou and clear up some of the confusion of Renaissance grammar and spelling. . . Although there are many other collections of Shakespeare’s monologues available, this one stands out because of its focus on young actors.”

    — Carol Durusau, Newton County Public Library, Covington, GA

“Anyone Can Produce Plays with Kids translates theory into action and opens the door to play production with children.”        

    — StageStep