Customer Reviews

Five Hand Reel/for a That/Earl O'moray

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Thanks BGO UK for bringing out these long unavailable sought after Scots folk-rock gems. Five Hand Reel headed by the wonderful guitar and vocals of Dick Gaughan was Scotland's answer to the Irish Planxty and the English Steeleye Span in the mid -late seventies. This is high quality stuff with a great selection of traditional material arranged and played with wonderful feeling and virtousity. Check out Gaughan's electric playing on Paddy Fahey's Reel/A Pinch Of Snuff and you'll swear they sped up the tape! Intresting drum sound on these also, the "tight kit" sound of the highland pipe band snare. Too bad this band didn't last very long seems the punk-new wave movement of the late seventies was hard on the folk-rockers and record companies didn't want em' anymore. I've longed for these to be issued to replace my worn vinyl ever since the dawn of the CD age, so here they are!! If you've never heard these your'e in for a real treat, if you are a fan you'll be delighted to hear Five Hand Reel without the surface noise that marred the LP pressings. Sure I could grip about no bonus tracks such as the rare single "Reel Reggae" or some BBC sessions, but that's what future re-masters and re-issues are for,right? I'll buy them too! Folk-Rock Reissue Of The Year in my book! Highly Recommended without reservation!!!!!

In 1978, somebody handed me a Five Hand Reel album and said "you must listen to this." In 1985, a pro burned my spare vinyl copies to CD (so I wouldn't wear them out). In 2006, a commercial CD set finally became available...and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Five Hand Reel is amongst the few to which I have listened consistently over all these years.

The CD set comes with a history of Five Hand Reel, and Dick Gaughan's web site ([...]) gives his side of the story. Search the web on Gaughan and Five Hand Reel - there is tons of info out there.

Five Hand Reel's music is timeless: it could have been created last week or 30 years ago. It is simply great music. The albums speak for themselves.

I truly regret having never seen them live. It saddens me that so few Americans are familiar with this group.

I first heard Five Hand Reel in 1977. They were only available on import vinyl. I bought For A' That after hearing it in a local record store in Houston. These guys are from Scotland and have the authentic sound and vocals. Every song is great and I've really never heard a better Celtic band. They put out three LP's and then seemingly disappeared for all these years. Thankfully, someone saw it fit to unearth this great band and reissue all three albums on this 2 cd set. There is nothing like them. Whenever I mention them to Celtic bands I always get the same response, 'I've heard of them, but never have been able to find their music'. Now you can. If you like great, traditional Celtic music do not pass these guys up. I've worn out their albums and hoped for the day someone would resurrect them on cd. It's been 30 YEARS, folks, so get this cd set while it's available. You won't regret it.

Somehow, my account at Amazon got mixed up, and I can no longer update my previous reviews...

My opinion has not changed - this is still one of the 10 CD sets I'd take to a desert island, but...

As a semi serious audiophile jerk, I must warn you that there is a 5 Hand Reel (first album only) CD on Black Crow Records. I have no clue if it was a legit issue, and I have no clue if it's still available. It is a horrendous recording - very muffled and dull, not unlike a cheap cassette. Avoid it and buy this set, which is mastered quite well.

PS Check out Dick Gaughan's solo album Gaughan. Another work of art.

Had two of the discs as vinyl, 3 full discs on 2 CDs - great value and so many wonderful memories, caught these guys live in England many years ago and their recorded material is just as much fun!

A three "album" set... Quite a few upbeat, brogue-heavy vocal performances and beautiful, Irish ballads (from vinyl that I first heard in 1980). "Both Sides of the Forth" and "Pinch of Snuff" (an instrumental) are my current favorites.

Although they sound a bit tame compared to contemporary Celtic Music, Five Hand Reel Pioneered "Plugged In" Irish and Scottish Music. They are one of those cult groups of the genre still well worth listening too.

I had two of these on vinyl and wore them out. I had looked for them on CD's for years and all but cave up finding them. To find three of their albums on two CD's was a joy. I loved the band and have been a fan of Dick Gaughan and Bobby Eaglesham for many years. If you are a fan of Steeleye Span, buy this. You will not be disapointed. Both have outstanding voices and Dick's guitar is amazing.