Customer Reviews

Otherworld

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two summers ago, my wife and I rented a summer house in County Kerry, along the shore of the Iveragh peninsula. Of course, that meant that we had to eat many meals and drink many glasses of stout (my wife) and shots of Jameson's (me) in the local bars while we listened to local musicians and danced to them as well.

Neither of us were aficionados of Irish music until then. Coming from California, I equated 'Irish' music with the local "Celtic" groups at home that played a limpid New Age/folk pap --short on substance and no muscle at all --Ireland via Windham Hill, if you were.

A month in Ireland changed all that. In the pubs, we heard live, muscular music --it was energizing and great fun. We began experimenting with contemporary Irish recorded music --Christie Moore first, Hammy Hamilton, Con O'Drisceoll and Seamus Creigh, Mary Black (whom we heard live on our last night in Ireland), and, my favorite, KILA.

I left Ireland hooked on the music. Recently, I ordered three more albums by contemporary Irish groups: KILA: Lemonade and Buns --out of circulation, alas!; Lunasa: Otherworlds; and Sharon Shannon: Live in Galway.

In both Sharon Shannon's album and this one by Lunasa, I appreciate the verve that the musicians bring to the songs as well as the exceptionally high level of musical talent.


Lunasa is more adventurous and musically more diverse than Sharon Shannon, blending wood flute, guitar, bass or strings, and (occasionally) pipes. The best of the songs on this album--'Goodbye Miss Goodovich,' 'The Floating Crowbar'-- are exceptional music and every cut on this fine album pleases the ear. Sharon Shannon and her colleagues are more traditional but equally virtuosic. They provide first-rate foot-tapping versions of traditional Irish music.

If I were to differentiate among them, I would say that Lunasa and KILA are the groups I would most like to listen to on my iPod, and Sharon Shannon's is the group I'd hire if I were hosting a dance or party.

Lunasa is outstanding music. It satisfied me both intellectually and viscerally. Why isn't most American pop music as satisfying?

David Keymer
Modesto CA

Though the first album of theirs I actually purchased was their brilliant debut, the first taste of this incredible group I ever had was the tenth track of this album, the explosive "Lafferty's/Crock of Gold/Lady Birr/Abbey Reel". Years after that first sampling of their outstanding musicianship and innovative arrangements, I now own all their albums save "Kinnitty Sessions", and "Otherworld" outshines them all. While all of Lunasa's arrangements are great fun to listen to, I find they are truly spectacular when it comes to faster pieces: jigs, reels, etc. "Otherworld" has no shortage of these. The group has great talent for beginning with slow airs and building the music up to driving finishes, as seen in tracks 4 and 11. You really can't go wrong with this band if you prefer instrumental music with a traditional Irish flavor, but "Otherworld" clearly demonstrates the pinnacle of their talent and musicianship. Bravo to Lunasa!

Delightfully melodic, with wonderfully interweaving melodies, including some of the freshest piping I've heard in a long, long time. Unlike many lesser bands, they integrate thrumming acoustic guitar and bass into the traditional sound without diluting it--rather, they seem inspired by the mix and take everything to a higher level. If I was asked to pick one album that shows the "state of the art" in top-drawer Celtic music, this would be it--it dazzles and inspires. Invigorating and satisfying.

On the strength of this one album(more! more!), Lunasa may be my second favorite(behind Dervish)Celtic band currently active. Hooray! A new band that features uillean pipes. Awesome flute and whistle playing, too.

Lunasa is the Gaelic name for a harvest festival, and this CD is a real musical harvest. Celtic music became internationally known with groups such as the Bothy Band, the Cheiftains and Altan. Then there was Solas and we are now into a new generation of new bands, including Gaelic Storm, Danu, and Shantalla. These are exciting young musicians with talent and enthusiasm. Lunasa is a new band comprised of veteran players. Some of the very best piping I have heard are on the first two Lunasa CD's. It is my hope that distributors will start selling their first album, "Lunasa." It was the first album that started the raving reviews in Ireland. In Otherword, Lunasa demonstrates outstanding lead instruments, including bagpipes, fiddle and flute. It is the foundation of uniquely Celtic arrangements, and rhythm set up with guitar and bodhran that displays the band's gut musical instinct. This tends to leave you repeating the songs mentally long after listening. It is some of the very best Celtic Music on CD and I am eager to buy and hear future CD's.

Flawless! It deserves more than five stars! I've been listening to Celtic music since 1972. Despite the tendency by many toward diluting Celtic music with bland pop elements, there have been many fine recordings over those years. Few come close to this one! When I first heard this, I got the immediate impression of the Bothy Band reborn. In fact, the members acknowledge the Bothy's influence. Think of the Bothy's at their most energetic, updated for today. Even Matt Malloy has said of them, "They remind me of a group I used to play with." The upright bass is a great addition that reinforces the raw Celtic drive. Don't think, just get it!

I was absolutely blown away by this CD. Purchased it after hearing that they toured with the Saw Doctors, as I am a big fan of theirs. Lunasa are just about the best Celtic musicians I have heard thus far. Reasonably priced, without that biting import tax prevalent on so many other Irish Imports. I've heard they are even better in concert, which I cannot even imagine after hearing this CD.

A pure joy from start to finish. Dazzling virtuosity, tight ensemble playing, and a spirited dedication to lifting up the essence of Irish music. Alternately ebullient, tender, wistful, melancholic and jubilant, this CD is packed with true conviction and tireless energy. It doesn't get any better than this!

I think you'd be hard pressed to find an album with fewer flaws than Otherworld. Lunasa really delivers on this album and, with the addition of the flute playing Kevin Crawford, really define a modern sound that takes Irish traditional music into the next century.

Traditionalists might gripe about the use of the bass, but I think it really adds depth to the tunes.

If you're either a seasoned veteran or a new fan of Irish traditional music, you'd be doing yourself a huge favor by picking up this album.

If you need to explain to someone who doesn't get what Irish music is about, just play this cd for them. The power and intensity of these performers and what they bring out in the music is dazzling. After a couple of listenings, the tunes reverberate through my head and I'm tapping my foot. Amazing. (There are some mellow tunes as well, which are great, too.) If you're a traditional Irish musician, it's very humbling.