Customer Reviews

Santiago

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a terrific album by The Chieftains. A couple of reviewers have complained that it is not authentic Galician music. Well, if they would read the liner notes carefully they would discover that the cd is not meant to be a portrayal of authentic Galician music, although there are tracks that are. This is an album that traces Celtic roots. Spreading from Galicia to Ireland, Mexico, the Caribbean, and through Central and South America. On this album you will hear music from Galicia, Ireland, Brittany, Scotland, Mexico and Cuba. But all have some Galician connections. So of course, if you are looking for "authentic" Galician, of course this is not for you. But if you are looking for wonderful music, played on unusual instruments, then this is for you. For example, "Minho Waltz" probably of Portuguese origin, was discovered in an old manuscript in the museum at Pontevedra. It just makes this album all the more special, as it has great historical interest, and the booklet is filled with interesting facts and history.

Some have berated the Chieftains for not remaining "pure" and sticking to their roots. Why I am not certain. Some of the collaborations have been outstanding, including Santiago. This is an album to cherish, as the northwest of Spain - Galicia and its capital Santiago de Compostela - have an ancient Celtic historical connection. Some online critics have asked if this album truly captures that overall connection. I sense that it sincerely does, and if not, who cares? This sound they've created here creates its own history through its depth of feeling, its energy, and its vision. I recommend it wholeheartedly as a masterpiece among their collaborations, and another gem to check out is Celtic Wedding, in which the Chieftains collaborate with musicians from Brittany. Fire in the Kitchen with Canadian musicians is terrific. Or, if you are looking for a pure Irish collaboration, Water from the Well is fantastic. The Chieftains have plenty to choose from their own catalogue of just-Chieftains-stuff, and it's all good, including the currently out of print Chieftains 5. Thing is, I don't question Paddy Moloney on his work with other musicians. He and the boys have a broad spirit that accepts and celebrates great music of all kinds. Plus, any man who can make his fortune playing a tin whistle and uilleann pipes has a good thing going for him. I'm sure his band mates would agree! Some of their collaborations aren't so inspiring. Santiago is a firecracker. You can play this one from start to finish, as every song here is a reason to rejoice.

Having discovered the Chieftains through Kazaa ('net music sharing isn't bad AFTER all!), I went out and purchased Santiago because I became obssessed with Dueling Chanters. Let me tell you; the music contained on this CD is absolutely amazing. A plethora of various instruments are used (most of which haven't been heard of by the general public), and people who have not heard these amazing instruments (Uilleann pipes, bodhrán, Galician pipes, bones, tin whistle, just to name a few) is definitely missing out on some of the better music of the lands of the world. To think this is all coming from a 16 year old guy, whose peers listen to "rap" and "punk". Disgraceful to my kind, aren't I? I enjoy actual *music*, not *noise*. Anyone who enjoys aural ecstasy, Santiago is for you.

This is a terrific melange of medieval, celtic, and spanish music, all put together as only the Chieftains can. Wild as it may sound, it works beautifully. It makes for an original, non-traditional approach to celtic strains that serves only to delight the listener. The contributions of Galician piper Carlos Nunez, as well as that of Linda Ronstadt and Los Lobos, further enriches this innovative CD. The liner gives a full explanation as to how this project evolved, as well as the origins of its music, and grounds it in a historical perspective. It is a CD well worth having in one's collection.

I'm Galician (the small celtic country within Spain where Santiago is located) and I would say that this is one of the worst Chieftain's recordings. It's a mixture of styles without good criterium and not particularly well executed. For anyone interested in good Galician music I would recommend Milladoiro, Luar na Lubre, ...

I consider myself as a world citizen from Turkey, also a music fan and this album is one of my favorite since I got it in 1996...

The music have a great soul, enthusiasm and passion that you can feel the thrilling excitement of the musicians...For only this reason, I still listen this cd whenever I feel down..It makes me smile and feel good all the time...Be sure you will never get disappointed:-)

Some of the friends that wrote here said that it is not an original Celtic or a Galician music...I recommend them to read what the booklet say...You can find the taste of Celtic/Galician culture in each song, sure not the originals, but all of them contains the expression of a magical synthesis of different cultures-the way of old time migrations...That's why it is better to say this is neither Celtic nor Galician music, but it is 'world music'...If you want to hear Galician music you can try really Milladorio or Luar Na Lubre...Also we can say, better to think that this is the point of view of those great musicians...

For my idea it is one of the best 'world music' album since ever been done...Highly recommended for the 'world music fans' like me...

As I listen to "Santiago" by the Chieftains, I am reminded about how diverse and wonderful music is. You have the quick paced "Dueling Chanters" to lift your spirits and "Dum Paterfamilias/Ad Honorem" to sooth your soul. I love this CD because you feel the warmth of both the Hispanic and the Celtic cultures envelope you like a favorite lover's embrace. I have listened to both the "mainstream pop" and the traditional Chieftains CD's and truly enjoy them both (although I am partial to the tradtional). "Santiago" is a wonderful gift and I hope the Chieftains continue to give the world such beautiful music.

I like this recording a lot. When a group is on the road for such a long time and doing such a great work as Chieftains does, there are 2 possibilities: they could keep repeating the recipe over and over again OR they could try to do new things. Fortunately, Chieftains guys managed to do both. They sound great as always in this recording, but there is more: they show a strong and beautiful correlation between their work and that of the Galician guys such as Carlos Nunes. It doesn't happen everyday. Enjoy the CD !

The CD Santiago by the Chieftans is an enjoyable listening for those not familiar with the Celtic music of Galicia, Spain. However, the experience listener or critic of traditional Galician music will find many flaws in this album, mostly with misleading presentation. I have read many web reviews on this album, and often it seems that the uniformed listeners believe that all of the music on Santiago is authentic Galician music. It is not. The 1st 3 tracks on the disc are possibly the best. They are tunes from the Basque country and Asturias. Also the monastic chant is a very authentic and historical type of piece. But the latin-beat songs are nowhere near being representative of Galician music. One of those tracks is a Cuban song, with Cuban musicians. Another is a "butchered rendition" of a beautiful traditional song "A Rianxeira". Los Lobos and Linda Rondstat (who sings very poorly in Galician) turn a typical piece into an irrelevant tune with a Mexican sound. In summary, this is an interesting CD, but I recommend *strongly* a band called Milladoiro if you want a real taste of Spain's Celtic music.

I consider myself as a world citizen from Turkey, also a music fan and this album is one of my favorite since I got it in 1996...

The music have a great soul, enthusiasm and passion that you can feel the thrilling excitement of the musicians...For only this reason, I still listen this cd whenever I feel down..It makes me smile and feel good all the time...Be sure you will never get disappointed:-)

Some of the friends that wrote here said that it is not an original Celtic or a Galician music...I recommend them to read what the booklet say...You can find the taste of Celtic/Galician culture in each song, sure not the originals, but all of them contains the expression of a magical synthesis of different cultures-the way of old time migrations...That's why it is better to say this is neither Celtic nor Galician music, but it is 'world music'...If you want to hear Galician music you can try really Milladorio or Luar Na Lubre...Also we can say, better to think that this is the point of view of those great musicians...

For my idea it is one of the best 'world music' album since ever been done...Highly recommended for the 'world music fans' like me...