Customer Reviews

Crossing the Bridge

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Crossing the Bridge is an incredible record. Not only is Eileen, who I happen to think is one of the very best fiddlers in the world, at her best ever, but each track is arranged and produced to an amazing level of artistic and emotional intensity.Each cut is unique and they're all great, but my favorites are the Afro-Celtic 'Jama',the Spanish-Celtic 'Whiskey and Sangria', and the incredibly beautiful 'Bygone Days'.I don't know why I wasn't aware of this CD earlier,but I noticed that on this site,this album is not listed with the rest of her discography.This is a shame because 'Crossing the Bridge' is by far Eileen Ivers best CD and she's made some great albums in the past.

This is a HOT album!In this day and and age of communications making the world smaller,Eileen succeeds at doing this with music.She takes us to a lot of places,but she doesn't leave her Irish roots.They still shine thru.She starts out smokin' right away with 'Gravelwalk',and builds it to a nice intense climax at the end.This girl can rock!Like on her other CD's,her choice of textures and colors is superb.The title tune is a Monster!It's like taking a boat ride from Ireland to New York.Eileen plays over that slick 'bounce' groove,and then she has Lew Soloff come in on the bridge with muted trumpet over a fat bed of chords. VERY COOL!Her African and Latin influenced songs are great and she still plays those jigs as effortlessly as ever.Sweet soul always comes out when playing the Irish folk ballads.They are haunting.And last but not least,this girl can play over CHANGES!Eileen truely does cross the bridge on this album.Hope she keeps doing so. Love it!

Eclectic Irish-American musician extraordinaire makes compelling music again on this, her first studio effort since touring endlessly with Riverdance. Only drawback is that, by being signed to Sony Classical, she may not get pop crossover push she deserves; confusion can definitely ensue in minds of consumers and biz types alike: this effort is not listed in Amazon's pop offerings of hers, you have to enter the classical side to check it out.

This was the first "Celtic" CD that I'd have ever bought (aside from the Riverdance Soundtracks) and I didn't know what to expect.

I had first seen Eileen Ivers on the Riverdance -- Live from New York City video and enjoyed her fiddling, so I bought her latest CD and WOW, it just blew me away.

The First song Gravelwalk is one of my favorites, it starts out really slow but burts into a grovin beat. I felt like getting up and doin' some Irish Dancin' (even though I didn't know how).

There were only a few really slow songs that I didn't like (I think 2) but other than that the whole CD was fast and uplifting.

Crossing the Bridge is one of my favorites as it starts out with the traditional Irish Sound then breaks into a more hip hop attitude.

The Best Irish CD I own (aside from Riverdance), it shattered my expectations of what Irish music was supposed to sound like.

Eileen's fiddling skills are amazing on this album. But she also strives to incorporate several different world music styles. For example, on Jama their is a traditional African chorus, and Whiskey & Sangria (one of my favorites) incorporates flamenco style guitar playing. It's probably not for purists but it is also nothing like the cheesy (at least in my opinion) "new age" celtic stuff. Some may find that there is no "theme" to pull the many disparate styles on the album together, but personally I think it is listenable the whole way through, and each song can stand up on its own as well. 'Crossing the Bride' features great musicianship and is fun to listen to just about anywhere, anytime. Definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Celtic fiddling.

...but it lets us see what other styles have to offer while remaining true to its roots. Go straight to track ten, "Islanders," if you ever want to stir up a high-steppin' dance party at your house.

Eileen Ivers shows innovation with this latest release. A joy to listen to.

of this album! I agree with Daniel (and I'm also from Wisconsin originally--go figure), after seeing her in the Riverdance video with her Doc Martin's on, I didn't realize how much of a ride a fiddle can take! I also bought Regina Carter lately but she seems to just noodle along compared to Eileen. I loved the second half of this album. Looking forward to more of her funky stuff!

This is a refreshing cd that does not try to emulate the pack of Irish traditional records, but leads and expands the genre into new territory. Eileen Ivers is to be commended for her bold and brilliant effort. An outstandingly produced and played recording.

I initially heard _Gravelwalk_ on the radio as I was pulling into the mall parking lot. My sons and I waited in the car until we had an artist and album title and then I rushed in and bought this album. I'm a big progressive rock fan and the first cut on this album is prog. The rest is just great celtic music. _Whiskey and Sangria_ with Al DiMeola is enough to get me salsa-ing around my kitchen! Great album, not a schlocky celtic rip-off. Refreshing, new, invigorating and just flat-out fun!