Customer Reviews

Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As with the review of Solas' debut CD, "music fan" from Buffalo could not be more off the mark. Again (this is repeating some of the review of that debut), the criticisms sound more like a criticism of the entire genre, from someone who doesn't know the genre enough to hear the distinctions and thus thinks it all sounds the same. And to describe guitarist John Doyle's playing as "the same two chords" is just mind-bogglingly inept. Ask somebody who plays guitar for an Irish band, as I do, whether Doyle is in fact playing "two chords," or whether we have a guitarist of immense subtlety and expertise, comping the melody players with interplay that is at times truly jaw-dropping, upbeating and backbeating the rhythms, inventing progressions with twists and suspensions and various inversions that make you want to go try them yourself, if you're a player. This guy is as good as it gets in this business.

As for the allegation that Solas sounds pretty much the same as lots of other traditional bands (albeit with "a little more energy"), well...again, ask some local Irish musicians you know to listen to some of the better tracks here. Try them out on "Tom Busby's et al." or "Paddy Taylor's et al." (Actually, if you want the real clincher, let 'em hear the #8 track--"Dougie MacDonald's et al"--on Solas' debut CD. That'll do it.) This is pure virtuosity.

I mean, what Solas did with "Wind that Shakes the Barley" (the first track) is worth half the price of the CD. There you have a ballad that in its original form (e.g., the Clancys' version), love its tradition as we all do, still is not the kind of thing that would draw anyone outside Irish music to an appreciation of the genre. Along comes Solas and redoes the thing entirely by reworking the melody and giving the whole thing a Galician flavor. This is a perfect example of how the early Solas was able to breathe new life into an old standard while still working within traditional lines.

As for the carping about "soft schlocky ballads": There's probably a grain of truth here for someone _outside_ the genre, because Irish and Scottish traditional songs do tend to get repetitive (lots of verses-in-a-row kinda thing). And if you're not listening to (or not interested in) the words to something like "Unquiet Grave"--if you're waiting for something "exciting" to grab you--it's really not. (On the other hand, if you listen to the words, it's one of the truly most emotional songs around, an intensely sad expression of how the pre-Christian Celtic "dead is dead" notion affects a grieving lover.) Or if you don't understand Gaelic, maybe "Aililiu na Gamhna" will be one of those tracks you click past. But then, "Maid on the Shore" and "Adieu Lovely Nancy" are very nice ballads in the traditional vein that do not require this kind of in-genre special attention. (Also, "Maid" includes an instrumental melodic line that is close to genius--a near-reversal of the melody in "Wind that Shakes the Barley," with the line spiraling wildly upward, midway through the album, helping to establish a subtle structural wholeness to the CD.)

Hey, short version is, buy it. Or listen to it somewhere and then buy it. Then write Solas, tell them we miss them, and beg them to get back to this kind of music.

This is an outstanding effort, mixing textures and tempos expertly. The cover of Unquiet Grave is beautifully haunting- Karan will be sorely missed. If you like Altan, you will not go wrong with Solas. As regards the guitar comments from Buffalo: Yes, the guitar is driving and prominent, but that has always been a cornerstone of the Solas sound. The musicianship of each and every memeber is well beyond reproach, in my humble opinion. Go see them live, and you will be ready to hug the guitarist (and everyone else around) in your excitement!

Well, I guess I took a while to purchase a Solas CD. I did buy Karan Casey's "Songlines" and thought it was an outstanding piece of musical workmanship, but when combined with the group, she sounds even better.

With Deanta no longer singing as a group, Solas has to be the best Irish Folk Rock group around. Karen sounds fantastic in Aililiu Na Gamhna, even if I don't have clue what she is singing about! . This song is fast becoming one of my favorite Celtic songs of all time. I suppose I could give a quick review on all the songs Karan sings in this CD, but to keep it short and sum it in one word...lets just she sounds GREAT!

I also liked the fast pace playing of the banjo in track 2, The Big Reel of Ballynacally and the reels on track 4 and 5.

All in all, this CD has no musical weaknesses to speak of. The numerous songs, airs, jigs and reels are sung and played to perfection. I enthusiastically give this two thumbs up and 5 stars.

It's a good thing that Solas decided to give the music business a go because the outcome is fine music making. Seamus Egan is an amazing talent with any woodwind and Karan Casey's crystal clear voice is the sugar topping to this very talented group of people. I have seen them here in Seattle and was quite pleased that the energy you hear on the album is translated and amplified when playing live. They are a breath of fresh air to the Celtic music scene.

Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers is more of the same that can be found on their self-titled debut, but the band has obviously matured. John Williams, Winifred Horan, and Seamus Egan are all in top form. John Doyle's guitar has become more refined and he truly shines on this album, his playing transcending mere backup. Karan Casey is a delight to hear, especially on the track "Aililiu Na Gamhna".

I highly recommend this album to anyone who likes Irish traditional music. You won't be disappointed!

There are several Irish bands out there who sound quite good. Solas is a world away better. A brilliant band with talent beyond reproach, their music just grows on you. They are without question the most cutting edge Irish group that has not forgotton what Celtic music means. Don't hesitate purchasing any of their albums. You won't be dissapointed!

This band is like a sunny day in the middle of winter: a pleasant and much-welcomed surprise. They bring an energy level and mastery of their respective instruments that is quite rare these days. From Seamus Egan on various wind instruments to John Doyle's riveting acoustic guitar work, this band combines to create some of the most captivating music around. This CD has a great mixture of acoustic tracks as well as tunes with some haunting vocals. I've had the wonderful pleasure of seeing Solas twice in concert in the last year (at an outdoor folk festival and at The Ark in Ann Arbor) and I can say their live performances are just as impressive and compelling as this CD. Check it out.

I ordered this CD to practice my bodhran to, and it is very good for that purpose.

Solas is one of the best albums out there. It's high energy, high talent CD is a must hear! If you like Celtic music at all, or are even slightly interested in it, this is the CD you are looking for.

Solas is the absolute best traditional Irish group currently performing. SUNNY SPELLS is, I think, the best of their three albums to date (though all three are worth getting). I haven't heard their new singer yet, but Karan Casey left some big shoes to fill.