Customer Reviews

Brave Hearts: New Scots Music, A Narada Collection

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My favorite Celtic compilation album of all! I don't think I could describe "Bravehearts" any better than its back cover does: "proud, passionate, provocative--keeping tradition alive by refusing to let it stand still ..." Full of energy, bounce and spirit, all the numbers on this CD, both lively and driving or poignant and slow, have an intensity about them that just sweeps over you. The artists featured are: Leahy, Capercaillie, Blair Douglas, Mary Jane Lamond, Ashley MacIsaac, Dougie MacLean, Karen Matheson, Old Blind Dogs, Anna Murray, Skyedance and Tannas. It's hard to pick a favorite track or two here--I like every one, though Blair Douglas and Leahy really shine. Come along and celebrate the spirit and mystique of Scotland with these innovative new musicians! If you enjoy "Bravehearts", you'll also enjoy the up-tempo music of another compilation CD, Green Linnet's "Playing With Fire".

What have the Scots been up to while their fellow Celts, the Irish, have been making hay from Riverdance? Plenty, if this CD is any indication! A superb compilation of Scottish and Scottish-inspired music, "Brave Hearts" shows what a diversity of expression is contained within that musical tradition. Far from being full of bagpipes and mournful ballads, the album show-cases the rich variety and vitality of contemporary Scottish folk music. There are well-known acts such as Capercaillie, Dougie MacLean and Alasdair Fraser. But it isn't only the stars that make this album shine. Lesser-known names play some of the most startling music. Take Blair Douglas' instrumental "Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow", for instance. Combining South African township rhythm and chant with bagpipes and military drums, this extraordinary piece melds two traditions in a most electrifying way.

There is plenty of excellent singing - mostly in Gaelic - from wonderful Scottish singer Karen Matheson and Canadian Mary Jane Lamond, and from groups like Capercaillie and Tannas. Instrumental work on fiddle and bagpipes is highlighted on tracks by groups like Skyedance and Old Blind Dogs. And the whole is rounded off by a brooding rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" by Dougie MacLean. Ignore the tacky title - this album is a superb showcase of contemporary Scottish folk.

I have had this CD for a few years now and still get much enjoyment out of it. It is a good blend of some very inspiring music.
I would recommend it to the Scot/Celtic fan out there looking for that right inspirational CD.

This is the first CD I have ever purchased that would fall under the "International" category. I heard a few tracks at a dance convention and fell in love with it. The entire CD is great, especially Blair Douglas' tracks.

A+++

What a wonderful collection of modern Scottish music that remains completely loyal to the traditions of ancient Gaelic music. The previous reviewer is correct, the more you listen the better it gets and its wonderful the first time through.

This is an extensive and eclectic collection of contemporary Scottish music from Cape Breton to Perthshire.

Familiar names include Ashley MacIsacc with "Sleepy Maggie," Mary Jane Lamond with "E Horo," and Leahy with "B Minor." Capercaille contributes the song, "Ailein Dunn," which was featured in the film ROB ROY.

Blair Douglas contributes two percussion-driven tracks which successfully combine Scottish-style drumming with African-inspired drumming.

The collection ends appropriately with a rendition of Robbie Burns' "Auld Lang Syne," by Dougie Maclean.

This fabulous album features music of contemporary Scottish (and Cape Breton Island) musicians, such as Capercaillie, Dougie McLean, and Ashley MacIsaac. They bring us music which is set firmly in the Scottish tradition and yet is fresh and inventive. As it says in the liner notes, the artists featured on this album share "a talent for stretching the tradition without snapping it."

Be prepared for some wonderful bagpipping, fiddling, and rhythms that will make you want to dance -- but also for haunting ballads and striking cross genre pieces. I was particularly struck with the combination of traditional fiddling and rock beats in Ashley MacIsaac's "Sleepy Maggie." I also enjoyed "Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow" -- the blend of Scottish and South African musical traditions was fascinating. "Mairead Nan Cuiread" by Tannas was also fabulous, with its driving rhythms and buoyant vocals.

I actually bought this CD to replace the one I hijacked from my friend. It is wonderful; from the rousing drums to the soulful rendition of "Auld Lang Syne", it keeps the attention. This CD hasn't left my car CD player in two months. It's that good.

Take some of the most talented individuals of Scottish heritage, mix in some innovative instrumentals and phenomenal voices and you wind up with a CD filled with great Scots music. It is a CD you will definately enjoy if you love Celtic music. I first played the CD on my Computer with surround sound, then went for a drive in my car playing it as loud as allowed with the wind in my face, and then I turned it loose on my home stereo. It is truly a superb CD. Each artist and every song will entice you to return again and again.

What can I say, the more I play the CD the more I like it. I should not have been so quick in giving the CD a thumbs down without listening a lot more. If you like Scottish music I'm sure you will like this CD. My apologies if I discouraged anyone from buy this CD.