Customer Reviews

Racket in the Attic

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

 

 

I was once told by a member of Barachois that the Canadian Maritime Providences have so many talented musicians that it is very hard to get a booking unless you have a gimick that make your band stand out above the rest.

Someone forgot to tell the Barra Mac Neils, unless "being of Scottish origins" is their gimick. "Ramblin Roarin Willie" has a few insturments but sounds like a regiment of pipers and tam-tams mixed in with the robust voices of the Mac Neil family. This song is worth the price of the CD alone, but there is more.

"Misty Misty Morning" is lead by sister Lucy while her brothers and the East Coast rock band Great Big Sea present vocials fitting the musical "Oklahoma!". Be sure to check the warranty of your CD player for "excessive replay damage"!

There are several songs aimed at Canadian Commercial Radio which suggests that we here in the States are doing something wrong. The song from this group that I think stands out is Tom Paxton's "Everytime". Reminds me of the early 1950's Canadian roadhouses. Put on your best plaid flannel shirt, turn down the lights, and heat, cause it's "slow dance" time.

This CD has me wanting to go to see the Barra MacNeils perform in person. Now if only they could tour the States...

After being dropped from their major label in 1997 (mostly because Universal didn't know what to do with them), this fine group from Canada's Cape Breton could have easily folded or succumbed to the independent label curse. This first independent studio release since their departure from Universal is everything one would expect from this classy group...and more. Superb musicianship, fine vocals, wisely chosen material all combine to create a varied yet cohesive set.
Since their first indie release in 1986, the Barra MacNeils have always challenged the boundaries of Celtic music and they are true pioneers in bringing a contemporary pop sound to Celtic music and adding fresh Celtic sounds to contemporary material. By challenging the confines of traditional music, they continue to grow as artists and carve new paths that have yet to be explored. It also helps that they are some of the finest musicians in the history of their craft.
Traditionalists will rave at the sounds of "Rattlin' Roarin' Willie", "Misty Moisty Morning" and "Tullochgorum" but it is the contemporary songs that the group has infused with a unique Celtic sound that only raise the level of the quality of this CD. Their version of Lindsay Buckingham's "Second Hand News" is totally brilliant. The deep bass groove of "Queen Of Argyle" is mesmerising. Their cover of the Oysterband's "By Northern Light" is pure satisfaction.
The production is first-rate. The arrangements are note-perfect and really make this CD stand out. There is no arguing with music this high in quality. This band continues to defy description. I highly anticipate their upcoming 10th release, no doubt a CD just as superb and solid as this.

This album is a lot of fun. The Barras are very tight, musically and vocally, and must be a lot of fun to see live. The uptempo songs here are well worth the price of admission. Rattling Roaring Willie is wonderful (see also the version they did with the Chieftains on "Fire in the Kitchen," an album you should own.) I would suggest that one or two of the slower ones drag a bit, aiming at intensity but not quite there (by contrast, see the greatest hits album's "Marquis" for a beautifully poignant slow traditional tune). I'm also not a fan of their version of "Second Hand News," but then I don't think it's a song worth covering in the first place. All in all a solid 4 stars, and 5 if you're in the car in Nova Scotia driving the Cape Breton highway. On that front, there's a store in Cheticamp, N.S., called Down Home Charlie's, that does mail order - might be cheaper than this import price.

We had the great pleasure to see the MacNeil family. WOW! Not one
but four great voices. Cape Breton's best kept secret. I can't
say enough about the sound they resonate. Very friendly too.
I am looking forward to buying all their CD's and see them again.
This will be your whole family's favorite CD this summer.

I bought this disc on a visit to Cape Breton. Although I found myself among the most music loving culture on earth, this disc really stood out and seemed to symbolize the energy and beauty of that Cape Breton Celtic sound. I play it every morning on my drive to work to pump myself up to face the day. I would like Amazon to offer more of the Barra MacNeils work. I usually listen to jazz, blues and Cuban music so go figure!

If you like Cape Breton fiddling and great energy music, then this is for you. Although they are better in person, this is a good substitute. It's fire, ice and pure enjoyment!!

A great mix of traditional music and their own tunes. This is a GREAT first CD for those looking to check out Canadian East Coast music. This is my second copy - I wore out the first one, eh!

First I have a disclaimer, that I am an Amazon 3rd party seller. But I don't sell this CD, because the copy I was going to sell was used and so I listened to it first to make sure it played OK. All it took was one listen and I was hooked! Had never heard of the Barra MacNeils prior to this.
If you listen to this CD, don't expect the first song to be representative of all the others--they are all different, and each one showcases a different talent, either separately or together as a group.
I love this CD. Bought one for a close friend, who loves it also. I hope this group puts out many, many more albums.