Customer Reviews

Play

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There's a definite pecking order on both sides of the 49th Parallel in North America. Americans poke fun at Canada, calling the country "America's kid brother" and "the 51st State," but who is it the Canadians kick around? Well, that would be the proud inhabitants of the province of Newfoundland. This easternmost province is a geological chunk of Europe connected to North America; the youngest Canadian province which boasts the oldest continuously-functioning city on the continent (St. John's); a place with a time zone offset by half an hour from the rest of Canada. Newfoundland is far enough away from the mainland, both geographically and culturally, that its citizens have become prime targets in the humor wars. "Newfies" have long had to deal with widespread jokes deriding their accents, their lack of sophistication, their intelligence--and to their credit, they mostly do so gracefully. Even so, the widespread belief is that Newfoundland produces only moose meat, canned seal and fish.

Well, I can tell you there's one very worthwhile thing Newfoundland exports, and that's music. The province has given the world such stellar acts as the Celtic Connection, the Irish Descendants and the Ennis Sisters. And of course, there is Great Big Sea--about the most popular band in Newfoundland, topping the charts in Canada and making a respectable name for itself south of the border as well. The secret of their success isn't too hard to decipher: a unique sound inspired by Celtic folk and New World sea shanties, tweaked with modern rock sensibilities. Play, the band's third album, was released in 1997. It's about an equal mix of traditional tunes and original compositions, with one pop cover ("End of the World") done up in unique GBS style.

I'm enough of a folk geek that if I read the liner notes and see instruments like harmonica, bones, button accordion, tin whistle, mandola, concertina, bouzouki and bodhran in addition to the expected bass, violin and acoustic guitar, I start to salivate. GBS' liner notes had me in a Pavlovian frenzy before I played the first note. Better yet, the sound does not disappoint. These aren't your father's lilting Irish tunes--these are passionate a cappella dirges, lusty drinking songs, and shanties performed in a masculine musical roar. And they're utterly catchy. I defy anyone to listen to these songs in the car and not join in on the second chorus.

The opening track, "Ordinary Day," starts out with an SOS call and surges into a strong pop-rock anthem. With its optimistic lyrics and shanty-inspired chorus of "way-hey-hey it's just an ordinary day, and it's all your state of mind," this is one of the best original tunes on the album. Other standouts include "The Night Pat Murphy Died," a fun tune about an irreverent Irish wake; "General Taylor," a hearty dirge mocking an American turncoat in the Mexican-American war; "Recruiting Sargeant" (sic), a song about the true cost of war; and "Jolly Roving Tar," a shanty bemoaning the treatment of Jack Tars everywhere ("But when the money's gone, it's the same old song: Get up, Jack! John, sit down!")

The only complaint I have with this album is the slightly uneven quality of the songs. The GBS version of R.E.M.'s "End of the World" is fun, but works primarily as a novelty. While the original tunes have a tendency to grow on you after repeated listenings, they tend toward the more melancholy end of the emotional spectrum and lack some of the fire found in the traditional arrangements. Even so, they're better than 90% of the boy-band tripe you'll hear on the radio.

It's impossible to get across in words the sound of a recording, which is one reason why I don't often review music albums although I have a massive collection of CDs. About the best I can do is to compare Great Big Sea to other artists--another difficulty, since they aren't easily comparable. Maybe an aggressive, cheerfully drunk version of Silly Wizard? Loreena McKennitt's backup band with vocals by the Barenaked Ladies? Neither seems too accurate. Perhaps it's best just to listen for yourself.

Unlike purchasing canned seal meat, you won't be sorry later.

(Originally published in altered form on the author's website, piratereview.com)

I can't give kudos enough to Great Big Sea, which is probably the best blend of contemporary and traditional music out there. They're a band from Newfoundland who blend the traditional instruments and drinking songs with incredibly catchy music.

Their music tends to vary a lot, much like the similar band "Rawlins Cross," but they seem to take themselves a lot less seriously. There are sad songs such as "How Did We Get from Saying I Love You..." and "My Apology," which seem to fit "Sea" less well than their bouncier tunes. One of those is the hilariously irreverant "Night Pat Murphy Died," about a bunch of guys who honor their dead friend by getting sozzled, and which contains the lyrics "... we went up to the graveyard/so holy and sublime/found out when we got there/we'd left the corpse behind!" They do a cover of REM's "End of the World" which was so good that I originally thought it was their own song; also there are the delightfully danceable "Rigadoon," "Ordinary Day," or "Jolly Roving Tar." A few aren't as danceable, but still very catchy, like the mostly musicless "General Taylor" or the rhythmic "Donkey Riding."

This Celtic-rock band is probably one of the best out there; you can almost imagine these guys dancing and singing as you listen. Check out this and other albums by Great Big Sea, and don't feel ashamed to sing along. I do it whenever I listen.

I remember when this CD was released a couple of years back and the group was playing some of their first U.S. dates. I saw them at "the Ark" in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a group of maybe 40 other people and then I went with them to an Irish pub down the street afterwards. Great guys. I cant get near them anymore. The only other time I was this excited by a band was in 1964 when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and I am being very serious. This is a great CD and the only other CD that is this good is their previous CD. "Up". As I said on my review of "Up", listening to GBS is like spending an evening in an Irish pub with people that you love. Listen to this and you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the best band in the world comes from Newfoundland.

I was first introduced to Great Big Sea by a very close friend about 1 1/2 years ago...I picked up this CD while I was in Vancouver BC and listened to it on the plane ride back to Boston and then nonstop for about three months! The no. 1 track "Ordinary Day" is one of my favorite songs...it puts a smile on my face no matter what because of the positive and motivational message, no. 2 track "When I'm Up" will satisfy your rock needs, and for your traditional needs, well they took care of that as well w/ 6 traditional songs w/ a special Great Big Sea twist. You'll be missing out if you don't give this exciting band from Newfoundland a listen!

I heard Russell Crowe sing along with the radio in the movie State of Play and loved the song - The Night Pat Murphy Died. I've had lesser reasons to buy a CD. After listening to the snippets online, I bought the CD. I haven't been disappointed. The group - Great Big Sea - are wonderful entertainers. I will look for more of their music to add to my collection.

I picked this up at a concert in Nova Scotia. Ny two sons ages(10&12) love it as much as I. One of my most favorite CD's. Full of energy and cultural richness.

This CD has a sound that is both Celtic and rock. It starts off with a bash with "Ordinary day". "The Night Pat Murphy Died" is upbeat and the lyrics are funny. "How did we get from saying I love you..." is a wonderful ballad with great lyrics. "Recruiting Sargeant" has a great chorus even though the beginning is slow. "Jolly Roving Tar" is a great way to end the CD. All the songs are different so it isn't a bore to listen to. This a great CD to listen to the whole way through.

I absolutely love this CD. It's the third CD I ever bought and it's just about warn out. Great Big Sea is a lot of fun to listen to and not just by those who love Irish or Celtic Rock. This is my favorite CD of from the group and you won't be disappointed. End of the World is a lot faster than the REM version and Ordinary Day and When I'm Up I Can't Get down are really good. Then again, so are almost all of the songs.

This is about as perfect a CD as you can ask for from arguably the greatest band on Earth. Their music is fun and infectious and beyond any sort of label. It will make you sing at the top of your lungs and dance until you fall down. I have never heard anything like these guys before. Every time I play this at my house with visitors present, they want to know who the band is and where they can get a copy of the music. It is THAT good.
The reason I recommend this CD over "Rant and Roar" which was their first U.S. release that contains many of the same songs (and is a bit cheaper) is because the songs that didn't make it on the former album are every bit a good as the ones that did. If you only have "Rant" and have enjoyed killer tunes like "Ordinary Day," "The Night Pat Murphy Died," and a cover of R.E.M.'s "End of the World," you are seriously missing gems like "Donkey Riding" and "Jolly Roaving Tar." There are ten tracks on this CD that didn't make it to the U.S. in their original form (there are a few on the live CD "Road Rage" which is also spectacular). Trust me, you must own "Play."
I cannot praise these guys enough. I wish they got the full recognition they deserved over other bands that are twice as popular and half as good. If you like rock, folk, international, traditional Irish music or anything in between, you will NOT be disappointed by this CD. You have never heard anything like these guys before. Honest!

...and I instantly fell in love with the music. From the upeat, riotous traditional tunes (during which you would be crazy if you could sit still), to the moving ballads to the beautiful a capella harmonies...I have never heard anything like them. The songs will stick in your head and you will enjoy it! This was my first GBS album, and soon i hope to have them all. It was definitely worth paying the extra money for the import charges to have PLAY!