Customer Reviews

The Unicorn

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album brings back happy memories of really good family gatherings at home,"The Irish Rovers",capture a little bit of Ireland in every song.I am from a little town in the north of Ireland called,"Derry,"and have lived here in Austin Texas for two years,pretty as it is here there is no place like home.

When I was small, my family used to watch the Irish Rovers on CBC Sunday nights, after Walt Disney. These are the recordings from those glory days. All the classics that used to appear on the radio are featured here, including the original 'Unicorn' hit single and the 'Black Velvet Band', which appeared with the Unicorn single. The recordings made today still don't compare to these ones, though I am admittedly a bit biased by my fondness for those early days.

I first bought this album in 1979 and have enjoyed many years of pleasantness listening to it. My favorite song has to be Bonnie Kellswater, followed by The Unicorn. Bonnie Kellswater takes me back to the good ole days with it's mellow flute and smooth way the guitar plays in the background. I would recommend this album to anyone who is tired of the sameness that most of today's music has to offer. (i.e. same type of drum beats and synthesized instruments)

The title track of this album originally released by Decca in 1968, is a classic song written by the late, great Shel Silverstein and the rest of the album goes together and was arranged by Will Millar, the lead vocalist of the band. Some highlights on this masterpiece of an album aside from the title track include "Black Velvet Band," "The Orange and The Green," "Bonnie Kellswater," among others. Another reviewer is right that this music tells stories and they are stories that stand the test of time to this day. The instrumentation on this album is timeless as well. Unfortunately this CD is now out of print so if you are lucky enough to find it, pick it up as it is a classic. The stereo production of the album is great as well.

This is one of their best. If you have never heard the Irish Rovers and like music that tells a story, this is for you. The only thing that would be better is if they released "Tales to Warm Your Mind" on CD.

The Unicorn is one of the VERY BEST Albums that I have ever heard and it has become a tradition to play it at home. No one ever gets tired of it. It is a very good Family album also.

I loved this music from the moment it arrived at our apartment during the 1960's. I nearly wore the record out. These memorable tracks are now on my cell phone in mp3 format.

I'd have to say that there are more authentic Irish bands out there. This music is somewhat packaged, homogenized, and gingered up for an American audience. The 'whoops' and 'yips' that the band likes to let out with are just a wee bit contrived.

Once I got to college, I was promptly converted to ceili music, Makem and Clancy, and programs like "Ceol na nGael" on Fordham University radio. There were the Wolfe Tones, Mary McGonigle, and countless others. Later, there was Fitz and Irish Coffee out in Southold. For all that, I thank my plethora of Irish pals.

But always, my heart begins with the Irish Rovers and the Unicorn.

The music is quite good, overall. The Rovers' use of folk instruments is nicely varied, and...well, I just can't imagine life without this album.

Bas in erin!

The Unicorn is thirty minutes and six seconds and was released in 1967. This was the group most successful album and the title song cracked the top ten. Though the song The Unicorn is not a traditional Irish song, it is song in Irish pubs across Ireland to this day. With the exception of one other song the rest of the songs are traditional Irish Folk songs. The Unicorn gets an AAA+++.

Side One

The Unicorn
#7 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles
Bonnie Kellswater
The Orange and Green
Hiring Fair
Bridget Flynn
Come In

Side Two

Goodbye Mrs. Durkin
Pat of Mullingar
The Wind That Shakes the Corn
The First Love In Life
Black Velvet Band

I had been looking for this CD yet I could not find it. This is one of my favorite cds. I am glad Amazon has a service that will let customers download the songs from hard to find music.

The Sample sound of "The Unicorn" Its the Best I've heard Since I was a Teen.