Haven [IMPORT]

Flook

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: January 3, 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.com Sales Rank: #110,880 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
2005 Release of the Third Album by the English Folk Quartet Whose Musicianship and Musical Interplay Are Second to None. The Energy of their Live Appearances is Captured on These Tracks Where Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen's Flutes, Ed Boyd's Guitar and John Joe Kelly's Bodhran all Come Together for Truly Magical Music Making. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Talented, tight & terrific, May 15, 2006

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

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.

2 of 2 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

Sarah Allen & Brian Finnegan on twin flutes and John Joe Kelly on Bodhran (Irish drum)and Bouzouki (a large deep voice mandolin) in tightly arranged and energetic tracks are a trademark of Flook. This could be called "Neo Celtic," meaning it is traditional Irish and Scottish music inspired, but with innovative arrangements and ornamentation. A rough comparison would be Solas through the 1990's.

Customers really need access to hearing at least a few samples, as the music would be best to describe itself. 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. Because of the high energy, 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 are popular in Europe.

In Rubai, their award winning album in 2003, the band had occasional pieces with orchestral back up. That orchestral back up was the one element I didn't like in the album. There is no orchestral back up in this album. I much prefer the "feel" of a three to six member band playing accoustical instruments. It is a short CD by current standards, but you will not stop playing the tunes over and over again afterward in your mind. I would really like to see Flook get wider exposure and I am eager to hear and buy a next album. I sincerely hope they consider going DVD for one of their concerts.

1 of 1 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.