Customer Reviews

Roses And Tears

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

 

 

"Roses and Tears" delivers all you'd expect from the experienced eight-piece ensemble and proves a more than welcome return after a long six-year wait for new material following 2002's "Choice Language".

There are no surprises in this typically polished collection of songs and instrumental sets.

Capercaillie have modernised their sound over the years, but always within the basic context of an essentially acoustic folk line-up augmented by a drumkit and a bit of electric keyboard, and it continues to stand them in good stead in sparkling instrumental sets such as "The Aphrodisiac" and "Rose Cottage Reels".

Dip in anywhere and you'll find something to please and delight.

Karen Matheson's Gaelic singing is well-represented, notably on the lovely "Seinneam Cliù Nam Fear Ùr" (which translates as "I Sing the Praises of the Brave Lads"), a translucently delivered song from the Isle of Skye, which is the vocal highlight of the album - or the Murdo MacDonald-penned "Leodhasach an tir chein" (A Lewisman in a Foreign Country).

She switches to English for a brace of anti-war songs, John Martyn's poignant, impeccable "Don't You Go" and Donald Shaw's "Soldier Boy".

If the gossamer-light vocals of Karen Matheson take centre stage here, its impact is heightened by the crack contributions of her Capercaillie colleagues who play with a consummate, wholly captivating elegance rooted in faultless ensemble.

With splashes of musical decoration including harmony fiddle and uilleann pipes or the attacking triplets of the accordion, the recording will entrance you from beginning to end.

There's no super turbo-charged sets of tunes though they're well capable of cranking up the speeds, the band settle into feel-good grooves such as the "Quimper Waltz" and the more traditional set-piece "The Aphrodisiac".

There are many reasons to applaud this recording not least for the outstanding quality of the production.

Fourteen albums in, the new folk pioneers "Capercaillie" continue to demonstrate why they've been at the forefront of the roots renaissance in their native Scotland for the best part of the last three decades.

Capercaillie are: Karen Matheson - vocals; Donald Shaw - accordian & piano; Manus Lunny - bouzouki; Charlie McKerron - fiddle with Michael McGoldrick - pipes & flutes; Ewen Vernal - bass; Che Beresford - drums & David Robertson - percussion.

Choice Language

Another strong Celtic crossover set by Scotland's fusion-y Capercaillie, with lead vocals from Karen Matheson and an lineup that includes Donald Shaw on accordion, Manus Lunny on bouzouki and Michael McGoldrick playing the pipes. The album opens up with the funky, resolutely pop "Him Bo," and then weaves back and forth between tradition and modernism. There's an anti-war anthem, courtesy of John Martyn, lots of mellow, electronic-tinged grooves, and a hefty dose of trad, woven deep into the mix. Personally, I love it when Matheson sings in Gaelic, and like many old-fashioned folkies, I prefer a more traditional acoustic sound. But Capercaillie fans know what to expect by now, and this album certainly will not disappoint listeners who are open to a bit of pop in with their Celtic music. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Music Guide)

There is nobody as good in my opinion at fusing cultural influences and modern techniques into roots music as Capercaillie. That is the only reason this is a disappointing listen. It appears the traditionalist side has finally won out; despite the light jazzy grooves and occasional whiffs of funk here & there, the band has finally succeeded in creating an album even your grandmother can enjoy.

Faint praise indeed for a group who has stretched their boundaries light-years from their roots, embracing electronics, dance, African and Spanish influences as well as stunning ballads, biting pop songs and rave-ups, allowing us to feel their Scot origins with fresh ears. This album is a step back, with essentially-comfortable updates on traditional material, plus a nice pair of anti-war numbers. Karen's voice is respectfully front-and-center, devoid of studio coloring - in fact, the sound is clear and revealing with a soundstage that refuses to cloak any of the instrumentalists.

If this were your first Capercaillie purchase, I would recommend it in a heartbeat. But when you hear the magical things that happen when they reach out to other lands as in "Beautiful Wasteland" and the worldbeat/trip-hoppery that seeps into "Choice Language"...you would suddenly see what makes this excellent disc a mediocre effort for this band.

"Roses And Tears" is really a four-star album. I hate having to dock them one star, but Capercaillie is a six-star ensemble. I'd rather they stop trying to tell me where they come from, and GO someplace again.

I heard this group on several compilation albums and decided to jump in with this one. It hasn't left my cd player since I bought it. So completely wonderful and I find something new in it everytime I listen. Love, love, love it.

I've loved Capercaillie for years. They're tops in Celtic rock, folk infused with contemporary electronics and a bit of Afro sound through in for good measure. Their lead singer, Karen Matheson, has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard--in studio recordings and in person.

"Roses and Tears" is not in my opinion their best CD, but it's a strong addition to their work. It's a mix of traditional and contemporary, English and Gaelic lyrics.

Anti-war songs are strong right now and this CD doesn't let that anthem go lightly. "Don't you Go" and "Soldier Boy" both deliver a solid punch.

I love hearing Karen Matheson singing Gaelic and there's enough tunes here to keep me happy. "Him Bo" is a great opener. "A Racan' A Bh Againne" is also lovely. I have no idea what she's singing, could be a grocery list for all I know of Gaelic, but it's so worth listening to.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008

There is really only one thing you can say about "Roses and Tears", it is another MASTERPIECE. I don't think Capercaillie are capable of failing to be at their best when recording a new album. I had the pleasure to see them performing live when they came to Australia a few years ago and it was one of the best concerts I've been to.

Capercaillie is always consistently wonderful, and this album is no exception. I love the traditional tunes with a contemporary spin, and Karen Matheson's voice is as lovely as ever!

CD arrived as expected and was a real treat. Capercaillie just keep getting better and better.