Customer Reviews

Other Side

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

José Angel Hevía is a talented gaitero, or bagpipe player, from the Asturias region of Spain, next to the Celtic region of Galicia and with similar Celtic influences. Both Galicia and the Asturias produce many talented bagpipers and Celtic-influenced groups (Hevía, frequent Cheiftains collaborator Carlos Nuñez, Milladoiro), but Hevía is a breed apart.

On "The Other Side" (Al Otro Llado in Spanish), he blends the electronic gaita, an instrument he developed himself, with Asian, Celtic and Middle Eastern influences--Arabic melodies and soloists, Buddhist monks chanting, haunting choral arrangements of traditional songs...blended with modern sound effects, synthesizers, and haunting instrumentals on low whistle and gaita. A perfect gift for the world music fan and a great introduction to Spanish bagpiping.

I loved Hevia's "Tierra de Nadie", so greatly looked forward to "The Other Side". Alas, I was a tad disappointed. The new CD has a distinctly different sound from the first. For one thing, there doesn't seem to be as much of that fiery bagpipe playing. This is a shame, since Hevia proved himself to be a genius in "Tierra". I couldn't get enough of it! Also, the music on the new CD has a more conventional international electronic sound, whereas "Tierra" sounded more exotic and indigenous, despite some "modern" elements. The same goes for the vocals.

On the other hand, on the new CD Hevia aptly demonstrates his ability with the flute.

Still, there are plenty of things to like about "The Other Side". I've had the CD for two days, and have listened to it three times already. My favorite track is definitely Tanzila, which is a fusion of the Celtic and Arabic traditions, and a great way to start off the CD. "Fandangu los Lobos" and "El Saltón" are good, as are "Baños de Budapest" (after the introduction) and "Marcha del Dos de Mayo". All in all, there are probably only a couple of tracks I could do without, and they're easily skipped on a CD player.

As with "Tierra de Nadie", any Spanish speaker will notice that some of the CD notes, along with the vocals on a couple of the tracks, are actually in Asturian rather than (standard) Castilian Spanish. (To see how the languages differ, there are a number of Asturian web sites you can visit, such as (web site).

Also of note is bonus track #12, though I found the music to be rather disquieting. Undocumented bonus tracks seem to be a standard feature on Hevia CDs. Kind of like the toy surprise in a box of cereal.

All in all, if you're a fan of Hevia I would judge the CD to be worth the money, particularly if you get it through .... But don't get your hopes up too much.END

Forget what you know about the bagpipes. We're not in Scotland here. As a Spaniard, Hevia has taken the 'pipes to places you've not heard it before. Blending Celtic, Southern European, North African, and Middle Eastern influences, Hevia has delivered a true world music album. And it has a darn good dance beat, too! Truly one of the most enjoyable recordings in my collection. If this type of music interests you, I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you are adventurous where music is concerned, you won't be disappointed. This is great listening!

I loved "Tiera de Nadie." Loved it. Then read a few reviews on this later CD. On first listening I agreed with the following: 'I loved Hevia's "Tierra de Nadie", so greatly looked forward to "The Other Side". Alas, I was a tad disappointed. The new CD has a distinctly different sound from the first. For one thing, there doesn't seem to be as much of that fiery bagpipe playing.'

I was disappointed, and had to admit I agreed with this review 100%. So I set aside this CD for a week or two. Then came back to it while on a trip and found that I loved it as much as "Tierra." Then listened to "Tierra" again, and found it very dated, and discovered how much I had progressed and actually preferred "The Other Side."

This is music that will appeal to a small segment of the population, but if you are stirred by a simple Irish wistle, or moved by the nasal drone of bagpipes, I can highly recommend this later version of Hevia. Equally unique, and for me more moving.

I think this CD is at least as good as Hevia's debut, Tierra de Nadie, contrary to popular belief. It starts of with Tanzila, an oriental flavoured song with lots of metalic-acoustic guitar in the intro. The bagpipe rhythm comes out strong over the top, with great percussion and an orchestra. Another highlight is El Saltón, which is deep and mystical in the beginning, followed by a killer pipe solo. It also features Hevia's sister on the drum. The hidden bonus track is another gem, it gives visions of mist swirling round and round on a plain. Baños de Budapest is the most diverse song on the album, ranging between haunting bagpipe and slow, echoing drum to shimmering Celtic/Asturian reels. The whole album shines with influences from all over the world. Hevia has done a brilliant job with this one.

Hevia is definitely the most talented artist I have ever seen before. If you are interested music like celtic, arabic, and cultural music than you better get this CD as fast as you can. The best track is "Tanzila", I not only love the song, but I also love the vedio clip. I also think that "El salton" and "Banos De Budapest" is kind of nice. "The other side" is a great album, and I think that people will love it, because I did.

This album takes you to another plain, samplings from each country blends fascinating arrangements and original compositions that seem to linger with you long after you push the stop button on your remote.

Hevia is a gifted artist/musician/composer with a distinctive sound and a style that won't quit...electronic bagpipes, flute, low whistle and programming is his speciality, music that gets under your skin...many are from the days when his grandfather was cutting the hay.

Simplicity is what most of us search for, this latest release from Hevia and Higher Octave Music has given us a glimpse of what is on "THE OTHER SIDE".

Total Time: 52:49 on 12 Tracks ~ Higher Octave Music HOWCD-50794 ~ (2000)

Hevia is a fresh new artist that is probably one of the best kept secrets in the recording industry. His first album was a breath of fresh air. His second is more of the same. The quality of musicianship is as good as the first album, but the fresh edge that was there on the first album is not as prevelant on this one. However, if you liked the first you will probably like this one as well. He tries to vary the feel by incorporating the music of different locales. But it just ends up sounding very similar to what we've already heard. Inspite of this what we hear is a continuation of a fresh new sound with a little bit of the edge taken off of it. Cheers iilloozz

I REALLY like this one a LOT. I've been listening to the pipes for some time ... and I LOVE this one. I love the blend of various cultures, too. It's lead me to also obtain "Obsession," which is one that even my wife likes (and she doesn't usually "appreciate" the pipes).

If you listen to Hevia for the first time, you can be at least pleasantly surprised that with bagpipes one can compose such an easylistening, yet swift music with folk elements. Nevertheless, if you already know Hevia's first album, you will be a bit disappointed. Nothing new, just a variation on the same topic. Some become stale after a few albums (Enigma, Enya), others, such as Hevia, right with the second one. Anyway, the question is, if music wich such an arrangement ever has a chance to create more than just one interesting album.