Customer Reviews

Midsummer's Night

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever since Dervish hit the scene they have paved new roads, expanding the limits of what Irish/Celtic music can encompass. Their rhythm section, made up of 3 players playing anything from Mandolins to Guitars in any given combination, is easily one of the strongest rhythm sections ever assembled. This serves as the harmonious canvas upon which the fiddle, wind, and accordion soar to roaring hights. These 6 players alone have the sheer talent to conquer. But with the delicate and completely honest voice of Cathy Jordan added to the mix, what we witness is a group of musicians whose power is unstoppable.

This album is intense, humane, and honest. Even the fast jigs have an air of love and honesty about them. What distinguishes this album from other outings is the fact that it manages to mix extremely raw energy with incredibly structured compositions. The compositions here match and at times even outdo anything the chieftains could manage. This is the new appex of Irish music, period.

With this CD, Dervish, in my mind, became the top traditional Irish group today.

It starts off with the title track, "Midsummer's Night," which serves as an introduction to the band. They begin by all playing a reel, and then each member takes a solo or plays a duet, before ending up all together at the end. High energy, fiery Sligo playing.

One of the highlights is the song "Erin Gra Mo Chroi." Cathy Jordan's voice conveys the indescribable sadness of one who's left Ireland and knows he will never return. Tragic.

They follow that up with a set of jigs-into-reels, called "Lark on the Strand." The jigs are slow, and start out delicately played upon the string instruments. The other instruments come in slowly and it gradually builds to an incredibly powerful sound, before leaping into a reel. Listening to this after the previous song can make you simply melt.

The final song on the album is "Red Haired Mary." A light-hearted song to the tune of a grand polka, it's one of my very favorites. You'll listen to this one over and over again.

One truly couldn't wish for a more perfect album. Not a single track you'll want to skip on this one, and when it's over you'll immediately go back and listen to it all over again.

The combination of the stringy sound of the bouzouki/mandola and Cathy Jordan's singing make Dervish my absolute favourite trad band. Album is solid all through. Stellar bouzouki and mandola interplay. Of course, great flute, fiddle, guitar, and accordion playing. Cathy Jordan is indisputably my favorite singer in traditional Irish music, although her voice sounds a bit better on their earlier records. Some great faster songs (Red-Haired Mary, An T-Ull, There Was a Maid). Banks of Sweet Vildee is so beautiful. Just buy it.

Dervish has caught my attention from day one! In September of this year they came all the way from Ireland to my college and my friends and I thought we take a look and see what this band was all about. I was floored!! Cathy Jordan's amazing vocals, the group's obvious talent for any intrument under the rainbow, and their gorgeous melodies, jigs, and reels had me hooked. Although the CD isn't nearly as exciting as their live concert (from which they recieved a standing ovation, of course), it's a must have for any person who enjoys the celtic traditional style, as well as a style with a new and fresh kick to it. I know I'm hooked, why don't you give it a try!!

This is a good cd with a variety of vocal and intrumental songs. Cathy Jordan, the primary vocalist, has a very distinctive and expressive voice. The male voices are added as "strictly" back-up to Cathy. I think that in the future the group should consider featuring the male vocalists to provide a little more variety.

I was fortunate to see/hear Dervish in concert in Dublin several years ago and was very impressed with the group and with Cathy Jordan as an entertainer and lively vocalist. If you have a chance to see this group live , sieze the opportunity! You won't regret it.

As a newcomer to Irish folk music, most of my exposure to the genre was through Gaelic Storm and new-agey productions like River Dance and David Davidson's Celtic Fantasy. Though these groups are excellent in their own right, Dervish's Midsummer's Night has forever redefined traditional Irish music for me.

First off, these musicians are incredible. The accordion, flute, and fiddle effortlessly twiddle up and down scales, all in perfect tune, harmony and tempo, each instrument interwoven with the ensemble so tightly that it's hard to tell them apart. The rhythm guitar/mandolin/bouzouki section is the heartbeat of the band, strumming through complex syncopated patterns that nevertheless complement rather than detract from the lead instruments. And grace-notes galore throughout! The net effect is a bright, energetic, intricate, and very emotional sound that shines like the sun yet changes mood as quickly as the North wind.

I'm torn about Cathy Jordan's voice. When I like it, I adore it. For instance, the energetic Red-Haired Mary, likely my very favorite Irish folk song ever, would be less special without the sprightly strength of Jordan's formidable pipes -- NO one else's voice would do. Other times it comes off as a bit squawky, such as in An Tull, an otherwise lovely tune. However, for me Dervish wouldn't be Dervish without her.

Other than Red-Haired Mary, a highlight for me is Track 5 (Palmer's Gate). Starting out as a fast-paced, shimmering reel, it transitions halfway through into a pensive, almost spiritual journey over misty hills and valleys. But by golly, all the tracks are terrific.

If you like folk, acoustic, or Celtic music even just a little bit -- buy this today.

Luckily one of your first forays into modern takes traditional Irish folk music can be your last if you start with Dervish. Cutting through all the bull and utilizing everything that is inherently pure of this genre, the group thrives off of a healthy balance of spirited, lightening quick instrumental interplay and delicate balladry.

This group is really talented. They take Celtic music back to the tradition style. There music is wonderful now if I could see them LIVE.

Failte! (Greetings!) This Dervish Album was released after their "Live in Palma" album and the "Decade" album, the former being my pick for number one ranking for Irish Traditional Music and the second being a summary version of the first. In "Midsummer's Night" the band is offering new material with the same excellent, traditional, accoustic style. The trademark is their three person team on Octave Mandolin, Bouzouki ( deep voiced Octave Mandolin) and a specially tuned 12 string guitar. What can I say about double stringed instruments and Celtic Music? They weave a beautiful tapestry covering three octaves of intertwining, counterpoint playing that is superb. This provides a driving chord rhythm and counterpoint to lead button accordian, flute and fiddle. This is often a double or triple lead that sounds like on musician and instrument. Cathy Jordan is my Irish-gypsy queen with a golden voice, bodhran (Irish drum) and bones. Her moving to the rhythm and enthusiasm makes a live concert of the group a real treat. It is infectious, and audience usually respond with toe tapping, clapping, moving and dancing. This is quite an experience in their sell out Ireland, Palma or European concerts. Gaelic lyrics are included with their albums, the best way to learn this ancient language. Dervish has their own website, where you can buy additional items, such as their VHS tape with many of the tracks from this album plus bonus material from a live performance at the Sibin Pub in County Sligo, Ireland. There is true "pub culture" that has been caught on this tape with friends, family and community relaxing to good music and good stout. The last 3 Dervish CD's are "must haves" for any serious collection of traditional Irish music at its very best. These albums have been critically acclaimed in Ireland by basically all of the music authoritative sources. There new album, "Spirit", just came out ( June 2003) and available through Irish distributors. It is well on its way to the same warm reception. Ceol de Erin go Bragh! (Music of Ireland forever!) - Michael O'Hogan