Haven [Import]

Flook | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: World Village USA
• ASIN: B000E42MOO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,851 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > Celtic Folk
  • #29 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > Irish Folk
  • #65 in Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Ireland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Talented, tight & terrific, May 14, 2006

By 

Peter Grant (Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Haven (Audio CD)

Flook are a phenomenon in the traditional music scene. An unusual pairing of twin flutes (Sarah Allen & Brian Finnegan) with guitar (Ed Boyd) and bodhran (John Joe Kelly), they play mostly neo-Celtic tunes. Despite their apparently constrained instrumental palate, they play with the kind of frenzied energy and (literally) breathtaking skill that has listeners shaking their heads in wonder.

Their third studio album continues in the same happy groove as their previous albums, although guest appearences on harp (Catriona Mackay) and banjo (Leon Hunt) vary the feel a little. There's also more melodic work from Boyd on guitar (eg "Souter Creek") and Kelly on mandolin ("Mouse Jigs"). But when it comes down to it, the best moments on "Haven" are when Flook are flying full throttle on their main instruments, with guest musicians hanging on for dear life. Good examples include "Mouse Jigs", "Wrong Foot Forward" and "Padraig's".

One small niggle: at just over 42 minutes "Haven" ends rather sooner than I would have liked. Nevertheless this is an incredibly tight and talented band playing some of the most exciting folk music around at present.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic United Kingdom Award Winning Neo Celtic Band, September 8, 2006

By 

Michael (Placerville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Haven (Audio CD)

Sarah Allen on flute and accordian, Brian Finnegan on flute and whistle, Ed Boyd on guitar and bouzouki and John Joe Kelly on bodhran(Irish/Celtic drum)and mandolin in tightly arranged and energetic tracks with twin flute or flute and whistle leads are a trademark of Flook. This could be called "Neo Celtic," meaning it is traditional Irish and UK music inspired, but with innovative arrangements and ornamentation.

Michael McGoldrick, flute, was with them for a first album, "Live." He quit in 1997 and went to Capercaille, a popular Scottish band. John Joe Kelly started with them on their second album, adding a needed strong rhythm to their music.

John Joe Kelly has a huge range of percussion on the bodhran. His style is significantly different and more aggressive than most other players and paces the band on fast tunes. He plays the new "Top Down" style, which is typically faster utilizing a different grip on the drum stick or tipper similar to holding a pencil. Because of the high energy blend of Irish and English, Flook has been an important bridge in the UK between the younger generations and their "root" traditional music. This is why their concerts and club-pub appearances have been so popular in the UK and Europe.

In their second album, Flatfish, they established their trademark two and three flute or flute whistle leads with strong guitar and bodhran rhythm back up. In third CD Rubai, the band continued to develop this interesting new approach to traditional style music. Then they came out with their third album, Haven, which is in my opinion their best. They have won UK folk music awards in 2003 and 2006.

They were busy playing concerts until recently and have at least temporarily quit as a group. Hopefully, they will consider starting Flook again with this unique and lively style of music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, March 22, 2006

By 

F. M. Alvarez "Pipe Master" (Madrid - Spain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Haven (Audio CD)

One of the finest works I've heard in recent times. A delicated balance.The powerfull instrumental skill doesn't break, but contributes to, the warm and quiet atmosphere felt in the background of each tune.