Customer Reviews

Skree

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

 

 

I saw Casey Neill open for Great Big Sea, and he was amazing. Went right out and got the CD. He's gotten me interested in folk again. There's a wide range of songs on the CD, showing Neill's wide range of interests and knowledge, and all the songs are beautifully constructed. Living in Colorado, I love his song about water rights issues and land barons in the San Luis Valley. The last song, about returning home from the sea, is worth the cost of the CD alone for anyone who has spent any time on a ship. You can't go wrong with this one.

After I got Skree, it stayed in my cd player for 2 months straight. I couldn't get enough. These songs get stuck in your head and just won't go away -- and it's wonderful! The Trio jumps seamlessly between traditional Celtic tunes, folky ballads, and topical songs that would make Pete Seeger and Woody Gutrhie proud. Be sure to check out Danny Barnes on the banjo on tracks 7 and 10. It's a real treat!

Casey Neill's first CD was good; my favorite track being the effervescent "Mayday." It did not prepare me for HOW good this CD is. Amazing growth in the song writing makes this CD shine. The change to "Trio" puts emphasis on the band elements and is reflected in some great musicianship. "A Mighty Love" reminds me of "Mayday" as Neill's raspy voice passionately tears through this folk rocker, "There are the dreams we're dreaming of, a fierce embrace of mighty love." The traditional "Hare of Kilgrain" is a haunting song with a pretty Celtic melody. Fiddles pulse through the peppy lament "Okanogan County," "Tonight you're in the streets of Spain & I'm driving through Baltimore, missing you so bad I don't feel anything anymore." "Destitution Road" is a beautifully sad instrumental fiddle piece. "Scrounge Around" showcases a forceful rhythm guitar, "This world is much too big to stick to a narrow view." The harmonium sound slows the pace for the gorgeous ballad "Emma's Garden," "The leaves grow greener in Emma's garden; the roses grow redder." "Saints of the Ditches" is another gorgeous folk melody that is part history lesson about former president Zachary Taylor. This is folk at its best. "Dusty Windowsill Set" is a pretty collection of Celtic jig instrumentals. "Araby" is one of those songs Neill wrote that shows how great of a writer he's become. The pretty melody combines with an interesting lyric, "It's amazing to me we've come so far; years ago this seemed a distant star; now it's today & here we are looking for another far away horizon." "Hallowed Be Thy Ground" is a hot bluegrass banjo picking toe tapper. The elegant "Love Is A Killing Thing" is an acoustic folk tune where the lyric comes full circle, "Love is a living thing." The CD closes with beautiful harmonies on "Mingulay Boat Song." This CD is excellent and effervescent from beginning to end. Those who've loved Nickel Creek's wonderful CD should also love this one. Where Nickel Creek lean to the country side, Casey Neill Trio leans toward the folk side. This is a quality gem you will not want to miss.