Customer Reviews

Parallel Lines

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

 

 

This is a lovely collection of songs that should be enjoyable for any fan of Celtic music. And after hearing Dick Gaughan's "Flowers of the Forest", you'll be sold on him forever. It's simply one of the most beautiful, haunting pieces of music I've ever heard.

Many of the songs here rank with the best music of either man. Start first with "Andy Irvine and Paul Brady" and Gaughan's "Handful of Earth" though. (Both are available at Amazon.com).
In this collection, 'Captain Coulston' and 'Lads of the Fair' are excellent, but some of the ballads don't really hold my interest. They could be considered closer to 'art music' than folk, though its a matter of opinion... Gaughan plays acoustic guitar and dubs electric on one track, Irvine plays mandolin and bouzouki. Their rhythm is revolutionary in a way. They use riffs and melodic figures in the accompaniment, rather than only strummed chords. This virtuoso approach is a pleasure to hear (and examine if you play mandolin or guitar)

I was at first taken aback at the mixture of Dick Gaughan's traditional acoustic work and Andy Irvine's electric guitar. You might imagine that it would ruin both styles of music. In fact, this unlikely combination produces some of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have ever heard (The Flowers of the Forest - for example). The juxtaposition of these two externally very different artists is is at times simply stunning. It may take more than one listen for the full depth and impact of these tunes to hit home, but it's an album of which you will not soon tire. Highly recommended.

We've owned the LP version of this for years, and I'm DELIGHTED that it's finally available on CD. Both Gaughan and Irvine are fine singers and musicians with distinctive styles and voices. But Dick Gaughan's "Lads O' the Fair" remains one of my all-time favorite songs (maybe tied with Bruce Cockburn's "Wondering Where the Lions Are" for #1). Outstanding. If you're a Celtic music fan of any sort, get this CD. Now.

I really just wanted to point out that, contrary to what another reviewer says, it's not Andy Irvine playing the electric guitar; it's Dick Gaughan. Apart from that, all I'll add is: if you like either Andy or Dick, than you must get this album.

I had this album way back when, on vinyl (they used to come that way). I admire Dick Gaughan, and Andy Irvine is among the finest instrumentalists I have ever heard (not to mention a fine singer). I really wanted to love this album. I still want to. I just don't.

The song choices just seem wrong in some way. The mood is wrong. While I love Andy's playing, and his singing, I have never liked his original songs. Maybe just me. This feels too much like Andy's original material (and I know it isn't, so don't bother). Including a Dylan song, "My Back Pages," is just bad icing on the mediocre cake. With one exception, these songs are just not enjoyable.

The one exception is the first song, "The Creggan White Hare." I assume it is a parody. There are many Irish/Scottish songs in praise of great horses, dogs, foxes, etc. In this case we have a rabbit, who's evasion of hunters is cast in great, heroic, even epic terms. Very funny. Assuming it is a parody. I hope it is.

Still, even with the above comments, I think the album is worth getting. I don't think the songs are bad in any absolute sense, they just don't work for me. The musicianship is, as one would only expect, astounding.

This is a very fun CD. It sends you packing to old Ireland. Beautiful folk balads, and springy tunes. Will bring a smile to your face.. worth every penny.

He's Scottish by the way