In All Things

Leahy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B000168AD2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,730 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Leahy keeps it going strong..., August 6, 2004

By 

David Roy (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In All Things (Audio CD)

I've been a big fan of Leahy since they're self-titled debut album. Their third CD, "In All Things," is yet another set of quality songs with a couple of not as good ones here and there. They do seem to have moved away a little from their Celtic music roots, though, which is a shame. There are a couple of pieces that remind me of the old days ("Little Ditty" being the best at that), but they make me miss the old days all the more.

In my review of "Lakefield," I said that I didn't really care for the singers' voices (and I was roundly questioned about that by other reviewers). I do have to say that I liked them much better this time around, though I do still prefer the instrumentals. The CD is split 60-40 between instrumentals and vocals, which is a pretty good mix. Sadly, while there is a very good vocal song (the very fast-paced "Coyote Way"), the others are fairly unmemorable. One song is mostly instrumental but has the haunting voice that chimes in at various times ("I Want You to Know"). The instrumental part is very good, with a nice soft fiddle that plays a quiet but mildly upbeat rhythm. While I found the lyrics to be pretty innocuous, the quality of the voice was very striking, adding much to the mood of the song.

The aforementioned "Coyote Way" will have you stomping your feet and nodding your head with some fun lyrics and a fiddle that will keep the heart racing. The CD opens with "Chasing Rain," which also has some great fiddle work and other toe-tapping beats. In fact, I have to say Donnell Leahy is probably one of the best fiddlers I've heard, as he is able to either keep the beat going or create some nice introspection, depending on the mood of the song.

I have to give Leahy credit for broadening their horizons. They do a nice mix of genres, some more successfully than others. I still prefer the Celtic ones to the others, though the others do show strength. Still, there isn't a bad song on the CD, just some that are not as good as others. My only other complaint about the CD is that it's too short, but that's a problem with all of their CDs (and too many other CDs in general). Give me at least 55 minutes of music, please, with over an hour being even better.

Lastly, one thing I miss (and it's not really a strike against this CD, but a desire to see/hear more of) is that there is no step-dancing on this CD! The step-dancing tracks were the best one on both "Leahy" and "Lakefield," and I was sorry to see there wasn't one on this one. There is enough other good stuff on "In All Things," however, that it's not a major hole. Just a minor one.

David Roy

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Leahy so far!!, February 29, 2004

By 

PiperKev "piperkev" (Grafton, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In All Things (Audio CD)

Once again, the Canadian supergroup Leahy expands and redefines their "genre". From good old traditional reels and jigs on several of the tracks to the ethereal vocals and musical experimentation (fiddles without bows, anyone?) on "In High Places", this CD is a fantastic followup to their previous release "Lakefield" and it's the next best thing to seeing them live in concert!! You'll have trouble keeping your feet still while listening!! My only suggestion would be to give vocal credits in the CD booklet so we know who is singing lead on which tune. Just an idea!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Lakefield, March 25, 2004

By 

Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In All Things (Audio CD)

This third release from Leahy is their second best. This amazing family is made up of championship fiddlers, dancers and other musicians. One thing they are really not famous for is singing. There is some singing on this album and it is much better quality than on Lakefield.

If you have heard their first album and liked it, you will also like this one. Many traditional tracks are mixed with a few newer pieces. One even has a nice Country Western feel to it. But my favorites are the three medleys if I had to choose.

This is a very strong effort from a very talented group. But if you get the chance to see them in person, take it as they five times better in real life (amazing, I know!).