Capercaillie Live in Concert [Import, Live]

Capercaillie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: Valley
• ASIN: B00006GODP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It seems quite incredible for a band that has built so much of its reputation on stage, but Live in Concert is Capercaillie's first live album. The whole thing was recorded on a single night in Glasgow, so it genuinely captures what it's like to attend one of their gigs. And while many artists fall prey to the atmosphere of the live arena by sounding more excited than exciting, Capercaillie sidestep that trap quite neatly. Apart from the occasional bit of crowd noise for atmosphere, this album does full justice to the delicacy and complexity of their arrangements (in particular the backing vocals) without resorting to slavish reproduction of original versions. The most radical overhaul of all is on "The Rob Roy Reels"; it was originally composed of two tunes, but they've dropped one and added five new ones to it! A more typical transformation, though, is the likes of "Bonaparte," which benefits from being subtly funked up, and features prominent wah-wah guitar by Manus Lunny, as do several other songs. He's aided substantially by a rhythm section that includes former Deacon Blue bass player Ewen Vernal. Fans of Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year Michael McGoldrick will be pleased to hear plenty of his pipes, flutes, and whistles. And singer Karen Matheson is featured more prominently than ever. Finally, there's also a generous amount of new and unfamiliar material, which should silence fans unhappy that it's been two years since Capercaillie's last studio album, Nàdurra. --Jon Lusk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Been Quite a Concert . . ., March 18, 2003

By 

John McGrath "eldraque" (MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Capercaillie Live in Concert (Audio CD)

This is the first Capercaillie CD I listened to, and it's still the best though I've gotten three others that are (mostly) good. But this is truly excellent - even though it's live, you can really appreciate the skill and cohesion of this outfit. I never realized before how nice an accordion can sound, and what can be done with a tin whistle. It's a fine example of traditional music played in an innovative style. If you're already a Capercaillie fan, you won't to be without this. If you're not, it's a nice introduction.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent live album due to updated (not rehashed) tracks, August 1, 2006

By 

Ian Martyn "Musician" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Capercaillie Live in Concert (Audio CD)

When most bands record a live album, it is simply a live recording of music that you can find on any of their other albums, with songs played verbatim and exactly as they have been presented before. I can't tell you how delighted I was with the Capercaillie Live in Concert album when I found that Capercaillie had presented updated versions of some of their favorite songs and tunes.

Capercaillie as a band has undergone many transformations. Althought the core lineup has stayed consistant for the past 20 or so years, they have changed their style several times. Now, in the 2000's, Capercaillie demonstrates that they are just as able to keep up with the fast paced music world as anyone else. Recently recorded tracks are played with gusto and finesse, and older tracks have been updated (or, in some cases, completely rearranged) for their current style. I find this to be the highlight of this album: old favorites redone with that new Capercaillie sound.

Of course, all of the musicians are in top form. Karen Matheson's beautiful voice stands out, as always. Old-timers Donald Shaw, Charlie McKerron, and Manus Lunny shine as they always have. Newcomers Ewen Vernal, Che Beresford, and David Robertson show that they are worthy successors to the members that they replaced (John Saich and James Mackintosh). Of course, Michael McGoldrick (formerly of Lunasa), another newcomer, takes center stage on most of the tunes, showing just how excellent he is on the flute and Uilleann pipes.

If you want to hear the raw talent of Capercaillie without the effects and cleanup of the studio, then this is the album for you. Both old time fans and newcomers to the group will be delighted by the sounds made here. I highly recommend it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Twenty Years of Musical Delight, March 23, 2006

By 

Puff 'n Grunt (New England) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Capercaillie Live in Concert (Audio CD)

Karen Matheson has fronted Capercaillie for 20 years and she and the group just get better with age. Karen is easily the best Celtic/New Age/Rocky-Poppy singer of the past two decades with an angel's voice or as fellow Scot Sean Connery said, "a throat touched by God." She's as easy to chat with as Mary Black and as unimpressed with herself as its possible for a popular singer to be (unlike a certain other four-letter name New Age chanteuse who is a cactus-prickly recluse). All there is here is great talent and great sound and long may it wave.