Customer Reviews

Seven Nations

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

How does one categorize a band that has spent its entire career defying categorization? Is Seven Nations a Celtic band with a rock edge or a rock band paying tribute to their Celtic roots? In truth, the sound of Seven Nations is utterly unique and transcends any one genre. Although this is probably the first time many have heard of them, this band is anything but new to the Celtic music scene. They have been kicking around the Scottish Festival and pub circuit for close to ten years and have released seven independent albums. All but two songs, "Big Dog" and "Under the Milky Way", can be found on the two most recent independent c.d.'s The Pictou Sessions and The Factory and have been remastered for this c.d. "Big Dog" and "Under the Milky Way" have been re-recorded to include the three newest members of the band, Ashton Geoghagan/drums, Dan Stacey/fiddle and Scott Long/assorted bagpipes. It would be remiss not to mention the remaining members of the original lineup Kirk McLeod vocals/guitars and Struby/bass. This self-titled c.d. showcases Seven Nations incredible versatility. If you're looking for fast-paced rock deftly intertwined with soaring fiddle and bagpipe check out "Big Dog", "Scream" and "God". If slower, more melodic pieces are more appealing try "Twelve", "Seeds of Life" and "Trains". Traditional tunes such as "O'er the Moor and Among the Heather", "Jig in E Minor", "The Pipe Set" and "The Surprise Ceilidh Band Set" combine original compositions with old favorites like "Scotland the Brave". Their enthusiasm coupled with the expert musicianship demonstrated on these Celtic classics makes one feel as though they are hearing them for the first time. This album is a remarkable representation of Seven Nations and the direction in which contemporary Celtic music is heading,

Could you use fifty-four minutes and twenty-one seconds of peace away from the troubles of your world? If you answered yes, get this CD. If you answered no, get it anyway. Just get the CD. In fact, get several and give them to folks you care about. These guys can make you rock, they can make you cry, and before you know it they have you rocking again.

Their music stands on its own merit, but these guys are also some of the finest human beings you share the planet with. They've worked incredibly hard and made extreme sacrifices to achieve their current success. They are deserving of even more and I pray they get it. In today's musical climate of paint by numbers contrived groups and mega-stars with more cleavage than talent; its encouraging to know a group of guys that work so hard for what they have and display such character that you wouldn't be embarrassed to sit down to dinner at your mother's table with them.

By the CD, go to their shows, make Seven Nations part of your life - your world will be better for it.

Cheers, Poppy

This CD will give you a hint of what the excitement is all about. These five young men, three from the US and two from Canada, produce a sound that is unique. Think rock, think Celtic, think original, and you begin to get a feeling for the sound. Kirk McLeod's song-writing talent, his voice, and guitar mesh seamlessly with the fiddle of Dan Stacey, Struby's bass, Ashton Geoghagan's drums, and Scott Long's bagpipes to give you a sound you won't soon forget. ()

Seven Nations is honestly one of the best celtic rock bands out there, and their success thus far is well-deserved. The band has managed to survive a few changes in band members and has evolved into a celtic rock sensation! The traditional sound of the bagpipe mixed with the sweet harmony of the fiddle work together with the guitar, bass, and drums to create the funkiest sounding rock music you will ever hear. This CD offers some of the newer songs as well as some remixes of older songs, and is definately worth listening to. This delightful CD is a guaranteed winner!!

Seven Nations is the most popular celtic-rock band in America today. They earned this status thanks to a fierce touring schedule that made them huge draws at Scottish Highland Games and rock clubs across the country, and seven well-crafted independent releases. This is Seven Nations' first major label release, and carries a number of songs already available on earlier CDs, particularly recently-released The Pictou Sessions. A driving new arrangement of "Big Dog" opens the CD, and the breadth of musical styles means there's something to please everyone. One of the best celtic-rock fusion albums ever released, though older fans who already own The Pictou Sessions will likely wish there were more original material.

If you're looking for traditional Scottish music, look elsewhere. (Don't get me wrong--I like that, too). If you want thunderous beats and rhythms, blazing bagpipe solos, and raging guitars, you've come to the right place. I caught them on PBS about two years ago, and was rocked off my feet! One may quibble a bit with their occasional bits of musical excess, but will discover that's what they're about--a vocal and instrumental assault on the senses. Even the obligatory pop-friendly track--"King of Oblivion"--has plenty of merit. Their tendency to bounce between (relatively)serene instrumentals ("O'er the Moor and Under the Heather") and all-out rock ("Scream") can be a little overwhelming. But hey--that's what they're about--bombastic, in-your-face Scot rock. Highly recommended to fans of Wicked Tinkers; devotees of the Battlefield Band might also like it.

This group is something else. They have gotten a little more fame from their Celtic Games jam, which are primarily big in the southern states, especially North Carolina. I just returned froma trip to Scotland with an urge for some of this "Celtic Rock". I saw an add for the band on the back of a British magazin called FHM, I think. Well I went on a wim and it blew me away, one of the few CD's I own that I can listen to the whole way threw without going to the next song cuz it's better. If you're thinkin about tryin it out, it's no risk at all. And if you like myself heard something in Scotland and just got hooked to something else, this is it! No dissapointments here!

For those of you who wish to remain in the past, who refuse to grow yourself or to allow others to evolve personally, professionally and creatively, by all means try to purchase discontinnued albums of the music of Clan Nagel/Seven Nations to hear "old" music that is now copied by other Celtic Circuit Bands. But for those of you who can embrace change in yourself and in others, this is the album and the band for you.

Over the previous two years since Dan and Scott joined 7N and Kirk McLeod was able to rehearse on a regular basis with coorporative band members who shared his dream of introducing a whole world outside the Celtic Festival attendees to a bagpipe and a fiddle in nearly every song the band does, the Celtic Rock Band has grown both in numbers of new fans and in its influence of American Celtic Music.

Including the traditionals they have grown up with and love along with the fabulous older originals of Kirk McLeod (God/Big Dog), the new songs encourage fans to sing and move along.

Although the CD is phenomenal, you truly have to see this band live to appreciate them. A group of guys who play music together for a total sound, not just the showcasing of on instrument. Guys who love both Celtic and Rock and who are defining the direction of Celtic Rock to this day.

It never fails to amaze me the blithering tumtwaddles that try to judge true innovation by the shabby measure-sticks of their short-sighted vision.

Ever since Big Dog album this band has been taking "Celtic music" to places where it rightfully belongs... in the limelight and on the cutting edge of modern music.

Is it the stuff you hear in pubs, in ceili's or at folk concerts or gathered around a group of musicians in a session? NO! What you have is rock and roll with a Celtic soul. (Kirk and Scott have been playing bagpipes a long long time, Dan is an excellent fiddler and stepdancer... Struby ... he's a class all his own.)

Dave Matthews caught flak when he rolled out with a fiddle... well Seven Nations rolls forth with bagpipes and proves that bagpipes ROCK! Most of their music is layered to incorporate the key and tone of the pipes and fiddle. Technical skill aside, Kirk McLeod's vocals are more instrument than voice.

If you're going to start collecting Seven Nations buy The Factory, the Pictou Sessions... and this one. They're closest to Seven Nation's current sound. ... and find out when they're playing next in your area.

If you're not singing along, thumping the table, tapping your feet, and all around enjoying yourself... check your pulse because you're dead.

The new major label, self-titled release from Seven Nations is excellent. Long-time fans will love the new arrangements of old favorites and new fans will be enthralled. The fiddle and the pipes add soul to the great rock guitars and rhythms. There are a lot of new bands out there, but Seven Nations is truly an original that you must hear to believe. They are touring all the time and taking-in a live show is absolutely worth it!! Outstanding! Very highly recommended!