Customer Reviews

Live In Concert

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This is the first Capercaillie CD I listened to, and it's still the best though I've gotten three others that are (mostly) good. But this is truly excellent - even though it's live, you can really appreciate the skill and cohesion of this outfit. I never realized before how nice an accordion can sound, and what can be done with a tin whistle. It's a fine example of traditional music played in an innovative style. If you're already a Capercaillie fan, you won't to be without this. If you're not, it's a nice introduction.

When most bands record a live album, it is simply a live recording of music that you can find on any of their other albums, with songs played verbatim and exactly as they have been presented before. I can't tell you how delighted I was with the Capercaillie Live in Concert album when I found that Capercaillie had presented updated versions of some of their favorite songs and tunes.

Capercaillie as a band has undergone many transformations. Althought the core lineup has stayed consistant for the past 20 or so years, they have changed their style several times. Now, in the 2000's, Capercaillie demonstrates that they are just as able to keep up with the fast paced music world as anyone else. Recently recorded tracks are played with gusto and finesse, and older tracks have been updated (or, in some cases, completely rearranged) for their current style. I find this to be the highlight of this album: old favorites redone with that new Capercaillie sound.

Of course, all of the musicians are in top form. Karen Matheson's beautiful voice stands out, as always. Old-timers Donald Shaw, Charlie McKerron, and Manus Lunny shine as they always have. Newcomers Ewen Vernal, Che Beresford, and David Robertson show that they are worthy successors to the members that they replaced (John Saich and James Mackintosh). Of course, Michael McGoldrick (formerly of Lunasa), another newcomer, takes center stage on most of the tunes, showing just how excellent he is on the flute and Uilleann pipes.

If you want to hear the raw talent of Capercaillie without the effects and cleanup of the studio, then this is the album for you. Both old time fans and newcomers to the group will be delighted by the sounds made here. I highly recommend it!

Karen Matheson has fronted Capercaillie for 20 years and she and the group just get better with age. Karen is easily the best Celtic/New Age/Rocky-Poppy singer of the past two decades with an angel's voice or as fellow Scot Sean Connery said, "a throat touched by God." She's as easy to chat with as Mary Black and as unimpressed with herself as its possible for a popular singer to be (unlike a certain other four-letter name New Age chanteuse who is a cactus-prickly recluse). All there is here is great talent and great sound and long may it wave.