Customer Reviews

Riptide

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

 

 

Once again I must chime in because it seems this CD is underrated-- I bought it in Dublin last year and listened to it over and over and over again. Their version of "Westlin' Winds" may be the best one on CD, and "This Time," one of their original tunes, is incredibly hummable and catchy. That will be on my "best of the year" tape, for sure. I disagree that the lyrics are disappointing-- they are not! they are simple, evocative and elegant. This group has it all-- vocal purity, instrumental versatility, and originality too. If you like Planxty or De Dannan you will like them too. I should add that I like the mellower side of De Dannan-- not that it needs to be slow, just that I get bored with long, driving reels that go on forever. So the upbeat quality of this album suits me to a t.

Anam are a great new voice, or rather, two new voices in Irish/Scottish Folk Music because the vocals and harmonies of Aimee Leonard and Brian O'Headhra are delightful. The accompanying players, Treasa Harkin on box and Neil Davey on mandolin & bouzouki are distinctive and memorable. O'Headhra's guitar rhythms are great and his original songs well written. Leonard does justice to two classics "Mary and the Soldier" ane "Westlin' Winds". The guest artistes are tasteful and even the percussion is effective and non intrusive. An excellent CD and often played at home and in the car.

This CD is an excellent mix of traditional Scottish/Irish and modern music!! The vocals are amazing!!

This is a must to add to your CD collection! Probably one of the best Scottish/Irish music CDs! (And that's coming from a true Scot!)

"Riptide" - Anam - Green Linnet (GLCD 3121)

"Riptide" is the fourth album from young Irish/Scottish group Anam. It is likely to be their biggest so far. They play a contrasting blend of sweet songs and tunes, and hard-driving, traditional-sounding tunes. The sweet side, for a change, comes as much from their male vocalist and guitarist Brian O'hEadhra as from female vocalist Aimee Leonard (who also plays a mean bodhran). Their voices combine beautifully, though at times the style is more reminiscent of the 60's than the 90's.

The other side of Anam's sound comes from the driving bouzouki and mandolin work of Neil Davey, and the accordion of Treasa Harkin. They are backed up by some fabulous bass and drums work from Scottish group Shooglenifty's "engine room" (Conrad Ivitsky and James Mackintosh). Davey has composed about half the tunes here, and some have the touch of greatness, especially his Cornish gavottes, his slip jigs ("The Long Night") and the closing tune "The Way is Clear". The occasional use of harmonised lilting on the tunes is a delightful touch too.

Brian O'hEadhra also contributes songs and tunes, including the delightful "Belgarth Waltz". And he combines with Aimee Leonard to give the album a top 40-capable song in "This Time". One of the few disappointments is their version of the traditional song "Mary and the Soldier", which to my taste is overly-jaunty. Otherwise this album is a fine stretching of the wings for a band doing what many wished the Corrs were still doing - expressing their traditional roots in a subtly contemporary style.

I am not from Scotland or Ireland, but that is where my family begins. In starting to investigate my routes, I decided my love of music should be included. This is the first Celtic CD I have purchased and all I have to say is if all Celtic music is this pleasant, uplifting, and so easy to fall in love with, I can't wait to receive the next one! This CD seldom leaves my CD player for long.

Always on the look-out for good Celtic bands, I took a chance on this album and ended up disappointed. While the instrumental work is solid and Aimee Leonard's voice is pleasant, the lyrics are mediocre at best and the overall impact of the album is "ho hum". If you want a superb mix of traditional and contemporary music, I'd recommend Capercaillie's recent work.