Customer Reviews

Half a Mile From Home

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

 

 

To start with, I am an intense fan of Cajun music, esp. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. I first heard about this band at a BeauSoleil concert in Rochester, Minnesota. Yes, one of the best shows I've ever attended.

I went to hear Sweet Colleen's live at Kieran's Irish Pub in Minneapolis and they captivated me. This particular album, their 3rd, has two tracks with Michael Doucet guesting and so I thought I'd risk it. (I'd only heard one set of the Colleens at the pub, then had to scram as it was late.) Bought this CD and haven't quit listening to it since. Every day is a new adventure with the Sweet Colleens.

They mix their genres just slightly, and Jeremy is a gifted songwriter and fiddler. He has Michael's touch. And that, imo, is saying A LOT. If I ever hear those two fiddlers on stage, I'll know I've died and gone to heaven.

Listening to this CD, esp. Come By (with fabulous accordion playing by Pete Sandvik-who drinks a mean pitcher of beer), Lost On Me (with Nirvana-like fiddling of Jeremy Greenhouse), Wraggle Taggle--an, (forgive me Michael) improvement on Doucet's composition from their Grammy-winning L'amour ou la Folie CD, and the utterly most amazing song, Farwell Frankie with a bridge and licks so hot, you'll burn something is beyond just about anything you've ever heard.

Trust me. I wouldn't steer you wrong and I know my music.

What I like most about this CD is that it takes both classic, and more recent music and performs it wonderfully. Wraggle Taggle, featuring Michael Doucet is a great example. Michael Doucet of BeauSoleil livens up any performance and this is a great one. Wraggle Taggle is often referred to as The Gypsy Laddie, which is a classic ballad in the Child collection of English and Scottish Ballads.

The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore is a more recent song written by Jean Ritchie. It has been performed by musicians from Johnny Cash to Michele Shocked. The Sweet Colleens deliver a solid performance of this great tune.

Wild Mountain Thyme was written by Francis McPeake and has been performed by many great folk musicians. It has been a long time personal favorite of mine, and The Sweet Colleens have done a great job on their version.

The Sweet Colleens are worth investing in -- this MN local band is fun and ecclectic. I'd recommend it for your just about anyone who appreciates good music -- if you like the Duhks, the Jayhawks, Wilco... you'll like it.