Customer Reviews

Song of Home

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This meeting of musical minds was a stroke of creative matchmaking by RCA. James Galway, the renowned flutist blends but does not blur with two of American folk music's more deeply rooted musical thinkers -- Jay Ungar & Molly Mason. Right from the start, "My Cape Breton Home," the art and craftsmanship, the painstaking selection and arrangement is evident. And this CD continues to delight the mind with an hour of the most beautiful music. All tunes, whether old favorites, like Stephen Foster's "Gentle Annie," or new and original, like "West Texas Waltz" by Jay Ungar, come together as naturally as the confluence of many streams. It seems as if you know these songs so well, which in my case is surprising, but perhaps not so surprising from a CD with Jay Ungar on it, composer of the evocative song for all time, "Ashokan Farewell." This piece has become a de facto theme for millions of people who heard it played again and again in the Ken Burns documentary on The Civil War.

The instrumentation, as you might expect, is the main feature of the CD. Flute, fiddle, piano, mandolin, guitar. But at what seems to be exactly the right time, Molly Mason and Ruth Ungar (Jay's daughter) voices sing out in harmony. And there is a deep understanding of the music here too, and therefore, much beauty in the sound. The rendering of "Pretty Saro" could stand alone as a classic, but when you hear it in order and against the background meticulously prepared by these musicians, it has a presence that is truly haunting.

I think anyone with a taste for the roots of American folk music will enjoy this CD. It has deepened my appreciation of the folk music of America and even the rural environment where I live in America. The art and craft are impeccable. "A Song of Home" is from beginning to end, thoroughly enjoyable, much to think about, a heritage to keep.

I get home from a hard day at the office and put on my headphones and am transported to heaven. If I had only two hours left of life on earth, I would want to listen to this album for one of them and we won't discuss the other hour please! Galway, Ungar, and Mason are superb. My wife and I were already of fan of Galway. Garrison Keillor's recommendation of "Waltzing with You" by Ungar and Mason (Sony) turned me on to Jay and Molly. Then on to "The Lover's Waltz" and "Harvest Home". The subtle blending and play between Galway's Flute, Jay's Fiddle, and Molly's Guitar . . . . God, there is nothing like it. If you buy this CD and don't like, I'll buy it off you and give it to a friend! ... Thanks Sir James, Jay and Molly.

During the many times I have listened to this album, I have posed myself the same question: is it the music I like best or the musicians that perform it? The music is compellingly rich for sure, music that makes the home a resonant place to live in the same way that a dancing wood fire speaks to the eyes of the soul. But the music sings with a penetrating warmth because of the seasoned artistry of the musicians who perform it. I have to give the tilt to the musicians who will forever haunt me with the flickering flames of their performance.

Here is the new album of Sir GALWAY. Really bright and fantastic tone and brilliant technic. At all easy and joyfully listenable album. Only difference is: STYLE... yes this is the different style for alltime lovers of Sir GALWAY. strongly recommended!!!

This CD is a journey through the old American songbook of folk, Appalachian, Shaker and fiddle tunes. Imagine going into the backwoods of rural America where life is more laid back, and you get the flavor of this CD. Flutist Sir James Galway is joined by folk singer Molly Mason and Bluegrass fiddler Jay Ungar, who are accompanied by mandolinist Peter Ostroushko and bassist Steve Rust, with percussionist Michael Merenda lending his talents to a rousing fiddle tune.

Most of these songs are meticulously arranged and crafted by Galway and Unger, which makes for a wonderful toe-tapping experience.

Among highlights are "My Cape Breton Home" with Galway on the tin whistle, and Mason lending her vocals to songs such as "A Roving on a Winter's Night" and "Pretty Saro" (with Ruth Unger on harmony vocals). There is a beautiful rendition of "Shenandoah," where Galway starts on solo flute, eventually accompanied by the mandolin and violin. This then segues to the delightful Shenandoah Falls. You then get a feel of simple, pure love with "The Lover's Waltz" and pure joy in "Bound For California." Then there's the wonderful "Heart of the Heartland" written by mandolinist Ostroushko. Another effective piece is "Pretty Saro," which starts off with Mason and Ruth Unger on a capella vocals, followed by an instrumental segueway by Galway, Unger and Ostrousko on both mandolin and guitar, with the vocals eventually joining in again. The album concludes with a plaintive, yet beautiful, rendition of "Amazing Grace."

If you wish to harken back to the days of simpler times, and can picture yourself jamming with friends on homemade instruments on a wooden porch surrounded by greenery and blue skies, then this CD is for you!

It's difficult to say that this is not "typical" Galway music, as Galway performs so many types of music with many different orchestras, groups, etc. This was good, but I didn't care much for the singing. Most of the songs reminded me of a depressed era, which may be when these songs originated--I don't know--I just felt rather melancholy after listening to several of the songs.

You can feel his pride in his heritage in the way he plays on this CD

Yes honey, I know you play the flute, but I don't! I'm sure James is a great musician but his recordings are always so cheesy. Ok, Ok, I'll listen. Hey, who stole the James Galway and put this great folk CD in? It is Jimmie? I don't believe it! This is amazing! Finally a James Galway CD we can both listen to.

Song of Home James Galway takes me back to a time before I was born, a time when American values were forming along with a new country. Fabulous music!

Based on the reviews I read about this album, I had high expectations. I am sorry to say that the album leaves me a little cold. The performances are superb, but unspontaneous. Another difficulty is with the orchestrations. In most cases on this album I think the flute just doesn't work. A case in point is Lover's Waltz, which is near perfect in the original Ungar/Mason version. Galway's flute just doesn't exude the same warmth. Another disappointment is Heart of the Heartland, which could have been an interesting conversation between Galway's flute and Ostroushko's mandolin. Instead we get another showcase for Galway with Ostroushko relegated to backup musician--what a shame! The only track I think that works well on this album is The West Texas Waltz, where we get a taste of how a really collaborative album might have sounded. I guess this album makes good easy listening, but it is certainly not the engaging album I would have expected of these folks.

After a year or two of owning this album, I have to say that the performances are even more stale that when I first reviewed it. I wish they'd let me take a star back.

Good for folks who like "easy listening". I like musicians who aren't afraid to challenge each other and themselves. This album had that potential, but falls flat.........