Customer Reviews

Big Dog

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At the Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games a few years ago, I was wandering through the tents, seeking some music with which to drink my stout. Alex Beaton had just finished a set and introduced a new group: Seven Nations. Seven Nations stood on that small stage and blew their music right through me. Just about every person in that tent was on their feet (myself included). People ranging in ages from 7 to 70 were tapping feet, climbing on their seats, clapping, cheering, shouting for more.

After the set, I snapped up a copy of Big Dog and got all the band member's autographs. My Big Dog CD is almost worn out. The autographed play notes are proudly displayed in my stereo display case. The only thing better than the CD is their live performances. If you can, see them.

I first met Seven Nations at a club called Shades near Jacksonville (Orange Park, actually), just after the release of Big Dog, and you coundn't ask for a nice group of guys, nor for a band more tallented at getting a croud to their feet. Not only fun-loving on stage, the guys are friendly and open in person, too. I've made it a point to see them 'live' whenever, wherever I can.

Neil Anderson's pipes require that you move your feet, and Kirk McLeod's vocals are powerful enough to move a strong man to tears, or make a dour man break into a grin. Under The Milky Way, rendered with bagpies, is one of the more haunting and memorable pieces of music I've ever heard, and Jerusalem Rap one of the most witty. Crooked Jack breaks my heart every time, and Finish Line always makes me wistful. The skillful, soulful mix of traditional tunes and new work on Big Dog keeps you listening attentively and appreciatively long after you've become familliar it.

Big Dog is a wonderful, moving, entertaining CD, and a 'must buy'. However good the CD is though, you really have to experience Seven Nations live to gain the full impact of their music; as good as they are in the studio, they're *far* better live. See them in concert, and you'll dance a jig from the sheer joy of their music, even if you don't know how to; the music will move your feet for you.

I first heard this band in 1996 or 1997 at a Highland Games near Lake (Loch) Norman, NC. I immediately took to the instrumental celtic/rock mix and bought this album. It is a must for any fan of traditional music or level-headed rock, meaning more than mindlessness. It is music with a story. One of the top ten albums I have ever owned, and one of the few I have kept for more than five years.

This band's first 3 albums OLD GROUND, RAIN & THUNDER, and BIG DOG set the benchmark for celtic rock and accoustic music innovation. Talented piper (and King of the tin whistle set) Neil Anderson, aka The Antipypr, has moved on to do other great things with new band Full Circle and then two independent albums (see antipypr.com) including some great jazz on bagpipes. The "new" 7N is an altogether different sound, still great... but... check out what Antipypr's doing now!

Neil Anderson is quite possibly the best piper I've ever heard in my entire life. And I've heard a few pipers. He's not a bad singer either. Do yourself a favor and get his solo release Dante's Local. Seven Nations is great, but Neil is the real deal.

This band's first 3 albums OLD GROUND, RAIN & THUNDER, and BIG DOG set the benchmark for celtic rock and accoustic music innovation. Talented piper (and King of the tin whistle set) Neil Anderson, aka The Antipypr, has moved on to do other great things with new band Full Circle and then two independent albums (see antipypr.com) including some great jazz on bagpipes. The "new" 7N is an altogether different sound, still great... but... check out what Antipypr's doing now!

This is fresh talent, a terrific mix of celtic and contemporary sounds. You won't be able to sit still. Well, don't just sit there, buy it!

I recently saw these guys for the first time at an outdoor festival on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. I had never heard of them, but obviously thousands of other people had, because everyone was cramming themselves into every available space. I enjoyed them so much, I bought this CD while at the concert. I listened to it twice on the way home, and I am still listening to it in my home stereo system.

The bag pipes make a nice twist to rock'n roll. The guys have fun playing and you can tell it in their songs. Even my husband liked it, and we do not often agree on music. I would refer to it more as alternative music versus Celtic. It is fun no matter what you call it!

Sevens Nations again proves themselves to be one of the foremost of America's contemporary Celtic bands. Talented musicians combine with traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, rhythms, and intstruments to provide a very entertaining CD. A nice mix of songs and instrumental pieces, though some of the tunes don't really seem to fit together. All in all a must for any fan of contemporary Celtic music.

Aerosmith will always be in my heart but so will Seven Nations! Let me put it to you this way: don't you just love it when you're stopped at a red light and alongside you approaches a kid blaring Marilyn Manson or that awful rap stuff? Never before have you waited so long for that light to turn green. Well, fear no longer my friends!! This CD is the cure. Nothing overpowers rap better than bagpipes in stereo!