Customer Reviews

Lennie Gallant Live

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Lennie Gallant is an amazing singer songwriter. Each time I hear his albums I am blown away by the breadth of his work. His music is timeles.I never tire of listening to each song as they are all unique. I just recieved his new album and you must list it.We have been listening to it all week and again each song paints a picture that carries you away ............especially "a day with you in paradise"

Lennie Gallant's album of live material is worth the wait. His simple love songs and uptempo rhythms charm and mesmerize the listener with a truly Canadian flavor. This singer from north of the border should win fans here in the states."Which Way Does the River Run" seduces the listener into his world along with "Meet Me At the Oasis";"Coal Black" echoes with pathos and anger at the system,as does "Peter's Dream". These are just a few of the songs that weave their way into your heart. An album not to be missed!

I heard Lennie Gallant when he came to our school to performed and I loved it! I just had to get his CD. There is an honest quality to the songs he writes, something that's really "down to earth" and sincere. I especially liked the last song on this CD, though it is untitled. Other favorites include "Meet me at the oasis" and "pieces of you". GO GET THIS CD, I'M TELLING YOU!!!

First of all, this is not the best live recording you will ever hear. It is spotty, the sound is not superior and the musicianship is not up to par (which is a surprise, considering that that is one of the band's strong points). I really miss Janet Munson, who is usually Gallant's main fiddle player. She gave the band a cool, crisp, electric sound that is missed here. Her replacement, Chris Church, though trying to do an admirable job, just doesn't cut it. His notes are high and off the mark on many an occasion. The usually fun, foot-tapping "The Open Window" (heard here done as the french "La Valse des Vagues") is very rushed and unsatisfying. Those are the only complaints.
On the positive side, Lennie Gallant is, always has been and will always be a superior songwriter. His picture painting portraits of life, love, loss and social concern are by far the best of any of his peers. Lennie Gallant is also a wonderful live artist. His live interpretations of his material are a joy to listen to.
Highlights heard here are the familiar "Which Way Does The River Run", "Peter's Dream", and "Part Of Me" from the first part of the CD. Three songs from his "Lifeline" CD including "The Band's Still Playing" (a great rocker) are thankfully included.
"Pieces Of You", a new song, is just fabulous and would have been a big hit if it had been released as a single. It's gentle sound and wistful sentiment are note perfect.
Gallant's crowning achievement though is still "Man Of Steel" and it's saved as the last listed track. The defiant, angry social comment on a big business decision still remains relevant today as it was when he wrote it 15 years ago. It's definitely a crowd pleaser.
Though Gallant only had one major label recording ("The Open Window" - on Sony, who foolishly let go of him), he seems to thrive best when he is independently creative. For years, there have been many who have known about the talent of Lennie Gallant and here's hoping that many more will discover this gentle, proud, brilliantly talented performer.

First, if you have never been to Prince Edward Island,or Abegweit in native Canadian ("Floating Emerald"), you owe it to your soul to go. There are few things as nourishing for your well being as a long walk along the red clay roads, a warm and wonderful swim in the beautiful Gulf of St Lawrence, a cycle through the blue green grass of the fields of North Rustico, oysters and Alexander Keith's in Malpeque, the confluence of Acadian, Irish and Scots culture in the music across this remarkable island.
Until you hie yerself awa', pick up this CD. Lennie Gallant, along with Roy Johnstone, is one of the most original and creative artists from this beautiful, beautiful part of Maritime Canada. Lennie is a master of the craft of songwriting. His lyrics cover the affairs of the heart and the soul, the life of an islander, the outlook of an artist who in travelling abroad brings his soul, nurtured as it was among these cultures, with him to infuse his poetic vision. As a musician, he constructs and builds layers with his music that are more sophisticated than many an effort you'll hear from any writer with more notoriety.
Repeatedly he is a JUNO award winner and East Coast Music Association winner as performer, recording artist, writer. This live document presents a great introduction to the many wonders of Lennie Gallant, and I would urge you with great emphasis to take a chance on this disc. The songs cover his early career, with such tunes as "Pull of the Fundy Tide","Mademoiselle, Vouez-vous danser?" and his most currently acclaimed "Meet Me at the Oasis." Even a cursory listen will convince you of his extraordinary portraits and the truth they convey, be it the social and political commentaries of "Coal Black" or "Band's Still Playing", his Acadian roots in "Valse des Vagues", the romance of "Slow Boat" and the existential questions of "Which Way Does the River Run?"
His support team are well seasoned colleagues who pull out all the stops in supplementing the power of the songs with the textures they bring. The production is immaculate. This CD won great awards throughout Canada, and the latest release from Lennie, "La Vente Boheme" has already garnered the ECMA top prize and is short listed for the JUNO.
But it is how rooted in the mystic of PEI that will grab about his music. Now, if we can just get Amazon.com to offer Roy Johnstone's CD, "Devil's Jig".....

My husband and I went to the Stan Fest in Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada in July 5-7, 2002 for a weekend of the greatest music.

Sometimes hearing so much new music can be chancy... Lennie was my biggest surprise. Loved him in concert. Absolutely love his CD. Makes us feel like we're there again.

I want his new CD now... hey...it's not listed. Help!