Customer Reviews

Gaelic Envy and Other Torch Songs (IMPORT)

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Nancy White is a Canadian comediane who plays the Banjo. She has written literaly thousands of songs that are mostly heard on the CBC. This cd starts off poorly with the worst track first but that is easily forgivable after hearing the rest. Her songs are very into current affairs and some may miss the point of the Canadian jokes, but listen to the music! It is worth every penny

This album has such a diversity of intelligent music it is a joy to listen to. Funny songs (Gaelic Envy), strange songs (Pierced Matron), interesting songs (He Wrote Too Many Songs About His Girlfriend). With ideas and pictures that made me think and think back. Or just laugh. Or just wonder.

Yes, the cover was a bit disconcerting. But once I listened to all the songs it was fun. Flip it over.

I find myself humming many of the songs every week. The tunes are catchy. And I listen to the album about once a month.

Nancy White is one of those artists that for some reason flies under the radar of the public at large, all the while creating stylish work.

I first heard a sample of Nancy's style on CBC New Brunswick, with the snappy "My Life is Picking Up". After that, I just had to get the album. It turned out that the album has several several other stand-out, memorable songs.

"The Seamless Dance of the Old Folks" is a poignant testament to long-lasting love that only the elderly seem to have understood.

"Clapping Song for Grownups" is a lot of fun, discussing in proto-rap the effects of middle age.

"He Wrote Too Many Songs About His Girlfriend" is an off-beat ballad about a songwriter who gets his source material from his own relationship. This one will stay with you, as will "A Dream I've Had of Late".

There are a few clinkers, but overall, the CD is a keeper, and a fine example of modern Canadian folk music with novelty comedy numbers mixed in.

I became acquainted with Nancy's wonderful wit and repertoirerather late, well, in May, 2000. From that late context I thought ofher as the Canadian Christine Lavin. Now I think that maybe it's the other way around, that Christine Lavin is the U.S. Nancy White. Unlike the previous reviewer, I thought that the first song on the Gaelic Envy album was __great__. Perhaps it's because of my affinity for Gaelic music and joy at its present surgence. Interesting that Nancy includes with this collection of very funny songs a couple of serious ones, such as Parra's _Gracias a la Vida_ and her own _Seamless Dance of Old Folks__. Oh, and being from Maine, I found Moose on the Highway right on, and scary!

My only objection to the CD is the cover photo; puts me off!--tlb

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