Customer Reviews

Buckdancers Choice

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have heard cuts from this album on my local Pacifica radio station for several years and finally decided to track it down. I think you may need to already be a fan of Celtic music in order to enjoy this interesting and creative blend of music but I don't think you have to be a fan of the Grateful Dead to "get" it. The Celtic musicians are some of the best around, each adding their mastery to the romantic tunes which blend old traditional tunes with Dead songs.

I have listened to the lead singer, Danny Carnahan, many times in person and I love how his gentle voice and the lilting arrangements bring out the beauty in Grateful Dead songs that don't always translate so well in live concert recordings. An extra bonus is finally understanding the lyrics to Dead songs I have heard many times!

While I'm much more a Jerry Garcia fan than a Dead fan, I've listened to them for almost forty years and to Danny Carnahan for 25. And I've been listening to Celtic music since before it was called Celtic- the first time I heard pipes as a child I swung my head around in recognition. These WTD are pure enjoyment; I dance to them, cook to them, clean to them and drive to them. Blending Irish and Dead is as natural as whisky and water and just as smooth. They both are beautifully crafted and chock full of talent. It's rare that I feel privileged to have a CD of a group's music- and I'll be happy to hear about the next!

After their debut CD, it's nice to have these folks back. For those unfamiliar, Wake The Dead plays traditional Celtic acoustic instruments and combines traditional Celtic tunes with classic Grateful Dead songs in a way that puts a new spin on the whole tribute genre . . . in a delightful way. As the title suggests, this time around Deadheads get "Wake's" Celtic take on "Uncle John's Band." Other gems include the classic "Ripple." However, my favorites may be "The Other Once" and a little known Robert Hunter number, "Prodigal Town." Also, if you get a chance to see them live, do it!

If you get a chance, you have to see this band live.

I've only seen them once in Redwood City, but I'm not missing anymore shows in the SF Bay Area.

This is one great CD. This is their best yet. It just grows and grows on you.

Every tune is good. It is almost as good as their live show.

If you liked Workingman's Dead, you will probably like this.

Having been both a Carnahan and Garcia appreciator for many years, this album and its mate are an absolute gift. Heard selections first on our local independent station during the weekly Grateful Dead hour and found the combination of skillful instrumentation and clarity of Dead lyrics delightful. After a 12 hour day putting dinner together to BuckDancer's Choice IS a dance!

The basic idea of Grateful Dead songs interpreted by a Celtic band and interspersed with traditional Irish numbers is terrific. The instrumentals are uniformly complex and wonderful, performed by highly skilled musicians. I love the way the music transforms itself--one moment it's an air or a reel, then suddenly, before you know it, it has become "Scarlet Begonias" or another Dead song. My one reservation is the vocals. Wake the Dead's lead singer's voice is pleasant but a little thin; it lacks the heartiness some of these songs require. Still, I'd love to hear the band live.

This is a great CD! I have listened to all of my Dead cds and the bootlegs till I know every note! This is such a nice switch! I adore it!

This irish acoustic disc puts an interesting twist on some tried and true Gratefule Dead classics. The different instruments blend well, and it can get good and spacey if you know what I mean.