Live in Palma [LIVE]

Dervish

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1997
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B000067F7T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #154,384 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Dervish's music was born in countless pub sessions and house parties in County Sligo in Ireland. On Live in Palma, recorded in Spain in 1997, the band members bring the intimacy and electricity of those informal gatherings to CD. Accordionist Shane Mitchell, flautist Liam Kelly, and fiddler Shane McAleer form the melodic heart of the band, and they negotiate the twists and turns of the liveliest reel with aplomb. Mandolin player Brian McDonagh and bouzouki player Michael Holmes provide the driving but still sprightly rhythm, and on selections like "The Trip to Sligo" and "The World's End," they create a complex harmonic framework that is contemporary but still rooted in the old traditions. But as good as the instrumentalists are, the star of the show is vocalist Cathy Jordan, who sings in both Gaelic and English. Her specialty is love songs, and the selections include "Ar Éirinn ní Neosfaiin Cé Hí," a rare ballad that turns out happily; "Edward by Lough Éirn's Shore," a tragic song that gets a lovely a cappella reading; and "Sheila Nee Iyer," a funny tune about a pompous suitor whose high-flown language drives away the girl he is pursuing. Dervish are one of the finest traditional Irish bands to emerge from the 1990s, and Live in Palma shows them at their very best. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, November 10, 2002

By	R. PC "rando7" (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This set of 2 CDs would appeal to most fans of traditional Irish music. I am not a huge fan of most Irish ballads but Cathy Jordan is awesome, I believe her voice would appeal not only to traditionalists but also to those with more mainstream tastes. Their instrumentals are great and for me were the highlight of this set. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was I did not care for so much talking between songs. After repeated listenings the banter gets a bit tiresome, after all, who wants to hear them sing Happy Birthday to some guy named Felip again and again? Still, that's what the skip button on CD players is for, if you are looking for great Irish traditonal music done in a very accessible way, then look no further.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is no better intro to Dervish than this, August 2, 2002

By	DC Gal (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

Any song of Dervish takes me back instantly to my first trip to Ireland in the spring of 2000, when our tour leader played it on her cassette deck in the van. This is a band capable of generating enough power and energy and passon with their sets of jigs and reels to blow the roof off the barn. The very same band in turn can bring a tear to your eye and a lump to your throat with a heartbreaker like "I Courted a Wee Girl," a song that contains one of the most hummable melodies ever put on disc. In Ireland I bought one more CD of theirs, Midsummer's Night, which I enjoy very much, but this live album captures the Dervish vibe perfectly and is in fact also a top-notch recording--the quality of the sound is superb. I don't typically like live albums, but this is a delightful exception. I predict you will love the patter between Cathy and the audience, and you will buy other Dervish CDs, and you will seek them out when they come to your town to soak up a little of the Dervish magic in person.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Me pick for the number one traditional Irish Music CD, March 6, 2003

By A Customer

Failte! (Greetings!) It is so hard to say , "the number one CD" without thinking of all of the other wonderful Irish musicians out there. Fill up a pub with all of this talent, keep their mugs filled up, and I'm sure no one will want to make a primate "pissing contest" out of fine music. Everyone would simply be jamming with each other and having fun. However, I do need to get your attention if you love Irish the traditional Irish way, as I do. This CD is a must have or at least a must hear. "Live in Palma" is a summary of previous best works from previous albums. This includes the infamous "Drag Her 'Round the Road," a quaint, old Irish phrase for asking your love for a dance. Things have gone feminist at me household, and I can't mention this phrase out loud without getting "chased 'round me house" by all of the feminists of the clan. This album has the same music as "Decade," but has introductions to songs through a live performance. These usually sell out in Ireland and Europe, and are a real experience. Cathy Jordan dresses like an Irish Gypsy and moves to the rhythm and music, as well as plays Irish drum (bodhran) and bones. This is infectious. Crowds respond with at least toe tapping, if not clapping, standing and moving, or getting in the aisles and dancing. The "Pheigin' Mo Chroi" track on disc 2 is a good example of the chemistry between Cathy and audiences for a Gaelic Karoakie. Several band members have won all Ireland awards for their instruments, and as a group Dervish represents immense individual talent. It is the team work that sets this group apart and makes them THE group all new groups are now being compared to in traditional Irish Music. Cathy's golden voice, excellent flute, fiddle and button accordian lead (and sometimes double and triple leads that sound like one musician and instrument) and a three person team on Octave Mandolin, Bouzouki (deep voiced Octave Mandolin) and a specially low tuned 12 string guitar weaving a tapestry of counterpoint notes with each other and the lead, distinguishes this group with their own unique sound and arrangements. "Midsummer's Night" has come out since the Palma album with new material and trademark sound. Most recently (June 2003) "Spirit" has come out with the same trademark Dervish sound and experiments in new directions. Please take these albums out for a "drag round the road." Slan!