Customer Reviews

Full Throated Abandon

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

 

 

This group has renewed my faith that good music can still be written and performed. I saw them live before buying the CD and was totally overwhelmed by their sound and performance. If they are playing in your area, run don't walk to see them, then prepare yourself for an outstanding evening of entertainment.

We went to see Tanglefoot in Bath, Maine at the Chocolate Church. They were apologetic because they were all sick with colds and flu (my husband could sympathize, he had a cold too) but they were great. Beautiful, meaningful lyrics, great harmonies. A high energy band, even if they were all sick. We'd go see them again in a minute. Bought Full Throated Abandon during intermission and are trying to find the others. Definitely worth the money and more. They sang almost all the songs on this CD and listening to it at home brings back the memory of a great concert.

Tanglefoot is absolutely a first-rate band. We first heard them in Minnesota in the fall of 1999, and immediately purchased Full Throated Abandon."Finally," we said, "Somebody is writing OUR MUSIC." And besides the best storytelling in the business, they deliver their songs with high energy, beautifully-arranged vocals, and superb instrumentals. Tanglefoot is the complete package! I highly recommend this CD, and urge you to go see Tanglefoot live at your first opportunity. You'll fall in love!

The best Canadian folk musicians since Stan Roger (in my opinion), this group has an intensity that is very addictive. I heard them for the first time live last night, and now intend to get all their recordings that I can. Style is reminiscent of Schooner Fare, and their songs deal with some of the same topics.

The Canadian folk group, Tanglefoot, has crossed the border and taken over with this CD! Listen carefully to the words, and hear bits of the history and folklore of our neighbors to the north in each track. Their richly blended vocals and energetic instrumentals make this CD as enjoyable as any I've heard in quite some time. The poignant tales sung in "Emmaline", "Let the Piper Play" and "Minnie's Lullaby" contrast with the rollicking fun of "McCurdy's Boy", "Pouring Days" and "The Floating Bridge of Ennismore". Bass player/singer Al Parrish has a voice that makes the love song "Paper Dragon" one of the best cuts on the CD. Anyone who enjoys contemporary folk music will want to listen to this recording, and perhaps catch one of Tanglefoot's live performances

Masterfully blending innovation and tradition, this five-piece band from Canada is a true crowd-pleaser. With their dashing style and exhilarating performances, Tanglefoot's popularity is entirely deserved. Robust vocals and brilliant musicianship, coupled with a head-shaking, foot-stomping intensity, lead to a high-octane sound that spurs the audience to its collective feet.

Tanglefoot's intelligent songs are often inspired by bits of local history, traditional stories and interesting persons. Blending passion, poignancy and clever wit, these lyrics are not subsumed by the exuberant delivery. Rather, they are fully complimented and expanded, given full color and stunning, unforgettable dimension.

Full Throated Abandon is a superb album, but it pales before the uncomparable energy of Tanglefoot's live performances. If you have an opportunity to see this group of Canadian wildmen in a live show, do not miss it!

I first learned of Tanglefoot at a "Take a Chance" concert, and was so impressed, I bought Full Throated Abandon at the break, even before the second set. I agree with the first reviewer here who says they are far superior live (an excellent live band!), but I think this album gives the same feeling for their terrific instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, the wonderful stories in their original folk songs, and the general feeling that this is a band who loves to play.

This five-piece Canadian band (piano, string bass, guitar, fiddle/guitar, mandoline/banjo/harmonica) plays together very well, and each has a strong singing voice too, so that even on the acapella songs (none on this album, but well worth hearing!) they are mezmerizing.

Buy this album! Hear them live! You will not regret it.

An admirer of good folk music and a fan of the British Folk Rock Band 'Fairport Convention' I took a chance with a concert by a band I had never heard of during their [...] UK tour. They came on, they looked great and what's more, they delivered a flawless set of high energy music, beautifully played and powerfully performed, and that to an audience of only thirty or so paying punters! I was completely hooked after the first two songs, the second one being the glorious 'One More Night'. But all their songs turned out to be quality: intelligent words, well-crafted arrangements, catchy choruses and divine five-part harmonies. I bought a copy of 'Full-Throated Abandon' at the interval and enjoyed the second part of the set even more than the first. Don't be put off by the daft title and the uninspiring artwork of that CD, it is a rare gem of a record and has not been out of my CD player since purchase. [....]

That title has absolutely nothing to do with this CD, or does it?! You'll have to get your own copy and find out for yourself!
You really need to see these characters live to get it, but failing that, you can by all the Tanglefoot CD's and crank up the stereo just shy of blowing your speakers, close your eyes and pretend. Whatever. What amazes me about these gents is their popularity in the US. What gives? They sing these fastastic Canadian songs, and the Yanks just seem to eat them up?

Well, who cares really. The stories these songs tell may, on the surface, be specific to certain regions and/or ethno-cultural backgrounds, but they have a universal appeal and speak to the human conditon as a whole which makes them accessable and enjoyable by all who have the great good fortune to hear them.
My favourites on this CD are: One more night; Seven aside (...); Jenny Wren; Minnie's Lullaby; Angel of Longpoint. They give a fantastic live show and love coming out between sets and after to meet and greet, autograph stuff, etc. Though I haven't goy MY autograph, yet, TY!!(What cheek!)