Customer Reviews

Tunes

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

 

 

With an ensemble like this one, it could really go either way: a more traditional approach like Frankie Gavin's 1920s-reminiscent fiddle albums or a slap in the face of good taste like Mike McGoldrick's "Fused".

Thankfully, Mike and Shannon have left the exotic instruments and programmed beats off this record, but this group effort still lacks something.

The first couple listens, I was pretty impressed by the tight sound that the three solo musicians achieved, but where other albums from Slide, Danu and Trian grew on me over time, this one just annoyed me.

I think it's mostly due to Jim Murray's backing, which basically sounds the same on every track. His rythm on jigs is especially irritating at times (think former Lunasa member Donogh Hennessy on happy juice). Although this is clearly meant to be an ensemble recording, they play together ALL the time on ALL the tracks. As a result, they tracks feel like they run together.

That being said, the musicianship and tune selection is excellent and the album definitely doesn't lack excitement so it's still enjoyable to listen to, provided you don't get sick of it as I did.

I'd recommend Gavin's solo fiddle CDs and Mike McGoldrick and John McSherry's "At First Light" as alternatives to this. As for Sharon Shannon, well, that's another review.

I've listened to this collection of tunes maybe hundreds of times now. The playing is, of course, first rate--and it's obvious they had a marvelous time recording--but it's the tunes themselves, especially the originals, that are the real stars here. These are new tunes worth learning and playing (or even just whistling on a walk.)

Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

While some of my traditional music friends weren't so impressed with this recording, I have to say I love it. The music is happy, and the tunes are groovin' and uplifting. That said, if you are looking to really hear more of the technical genius of Frankie Gavin's fiddling or Sharon Shannon's accordian playing, etc, you should try one of their solo projects.
The sound of "Tunes" is definitely an ensemble endeavor- though an enjoyable one that will get your feet tapping.

I feel bad about giving this a bad review. So a little history: I've been waiting to hear this CD ever since I heard of its existence. I've been a huge fan of Sharon Shannon for years and some of her CDs are among my favorites (although her tendency to bring on all sorts of singers and songwriters lately lost my interest--still haven't mustered the nerve to listen to Libertango). Frankie Gavin, the fiddler on this CD, is one of Ireland's best and I was eager to hear him in a modern setting. What fan of Irish traditional music doesn't like DeDanann? And I just heard Alec Finn/Frankie Gavin from 25 or so years ago and it knocks my sox off. This band features Michael McGoldrick on flute and I really like his work on "At First Light" with John McSherry. He was also in the contemporary Irish supergroup Lunasa. And he's great on Kate Rusby's DVD, "Live From Leeds". Guitarist Jim Murray is new to me, but his playing produces some of the few highlights on this CD. So what's wrong here? I've listened to this CD about four times now, trying to figure this out. Maybe it's the "Tunes" themselves. Nothing grabs me. I just listened to "Coolfin" by Donal Lunny again today (the band included Sharon Shannon) and nearly every tune is fresh, beautifully arranged, and a joy to hear. However, most of the tunes on "Tunes" appear to be originals and I'm not hooked. Maybe it's the arrangements. Nobody wants to hog the limelight, so everybody plays along together without much innovation. I hate to say it but this sounds something like Lunasa/Bothy Band/De Danaan run through Lawrence Welk. And if you've never seen Lawrence Welk, imagine a band where everybody is smiling, having good clean fun, and playing it way too safe to be interesting.

This is a very nice CD filled with wonderful tunes set in very interesting arrangements. The playing emphasizes the melodies and ensemble work. The melodies are wonderful and tend to have a positive, upbeat, or even joyous, emotional tone to them. The ensemble work tends to focus on how the sounds of the instruments combine to create a musical setting (none of the tunes provide a forum for showcasing virtuosity--of course, these folks have the credentials and there's no need to prove themselves to anyone). The arrangements are quite contemporary. You'll hear unexpected (and very tasteful) chording and interesting rhythms that occasionally give the tune a very jazz-like feel. If you like Lunasa, you'll probably like the CD. Is this "Lawrence Welk meets Irish music"? It certainly is not. When the arrangements are as interesting and musically complex as these are, the comparison just doesn't fit. Is this CD for everyone? Of course not, no CD can fit everyone's musical tastes. If you are a strict traditionalist who's still not sure that guitars belong in Irish music, that's fine but you probably won't like this CD. Similarly, if you absolutely need lightening fast jigs and reels fueled by pounding bodhrans and hard-driving, rock-like chording, then this CD is not for you. If you like beautiful Irish melodies played by people who are secure enough to stand back and let the music speak for itself and who are also talented enough to create interesting contemporary arrangements, then you'll like this CD.