Waiting for an Echo

Solas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B0006TRO6S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,426 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While Waiting For An Echo was recorded in hotel rooms, dressing rooms, and studios on two continents, the album sounds sonically cohesive with an emphasis on instrumentals. Stylistically, however, the quintet of top-flight musicians is all over the place. There's a bushel of Irish traditionals that come in shape of reels and jigs strung together (the even-keeled "Steven Campbell's/The Road Ringussoon/The Bag Of Beer" is a highlight); but the band also dives into folk-pop balladry on "The Silver Dagger" and "Erin," conjures a little country twang on "Lowground" and "On A Sea Of Fleur de Lis." A handful of guests further diversify things, but one thing about Celtic musicians is their thirst for jamming, so in way this is a more realistic look at a band than some of its Celtic music-leaning fans may be willing to allow. Nevertheless, there is enough here to keep them placated, unless you're fan of singer Patricia Scanlon, who contributions are limited to a few songs. – Tad Hendrickson

Product Description

Waiting For An Echo, Solas seventh Shanachie CD, was recorded in a number of locations including Seamus’ home studio in Philadelphia and on the road in Germany. "We did what we call guerilla recording," laughs Seamus Egan. "We recorded everywhere we could, backstage at concerts, in hotel rooms and wherever it made sense using a Mac G4 and my mobile recording unit." In typical Solas fashion, the band has crafted a thrilling mix of traditional gems, jigs, polkas, reels, contemporary material and originals. Their use of counterpoint and driving syncopation pulsates throughout the CD.

Seamus Egan says, "From one project to the next, we never want to make the same record. This album is more than anything a snapshot of where we are musically. We’re a band that happens to have a strong grounding in a particular tradition. But the way we look at it, that tradition allows itself to be played with a little bit; it’s malleable enough and strong enough to allow that. I think it’s fundamentally impossible to play music any other way than being who you are and what you are. Irish traditional music is the first music I have any memory of; for a long time, I thought it’s all there was. But I never saw it as something old; it was always there in our lives, and always evolving."

Highlights on Waiting For An Echo include the Antje Duvekot song "Erin," featuring the vocals of Mick McAuley, the traditional song "The Silver Dagger" which showcases an imaginative revamped melody and altered arrangement by Winifred Horan and the Richard Shindell song "On a Sea of Fleur de Lis," featuring the angelic vocals of Deirdre Scanlan. Solas has long wanted to record this Shindell song and finally does it on Waiting For An Echo.

Also included is "The Coconut Dog Morning Dew," two reels, the first penned by Eagan and the latter a traditional number arranged by the band. "The Coconut Dog" unites Solas with renowned Spanish bagpiper Carlos Nunez who has recorded with and is currently on tour with the Chieftains. The band recently had a chance to meet up with Nunez while on tour in Germany October and November of 2004.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn me back to a witch..., May 5, 2005

By 

Garry Daniel (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Waiting for an Echo (Audio CD)

Although I knew of Solas from an article in Dirty Linen Magazine, I had never actually listened to them until I bought "Waiting for a Echo" just a week ago. I am amazed at this band's versatility and flexability, and at their sheer power.
I won't fall into the trap of debating what is traditional and what isn't. I'll leave that to the people more knowlegable with that sort of thing. All I'm attempting to say in this review is that I like Solas very much and I appreciate their talent. This is a very very good album and one which makes me sit and listen to the music. I say that because so often people will put a CD on and engage in some other activity, using the music playing as background noise.I do not believe this type of music is intended for background noise. It does require your attention, and grab your attention it does! Songs such as "On a sea of Fleur De Lis",
The Ploughman", and "Silver Dagger" grabbed me immediately upon hearing them. Much has been said in other reviews of Solas "selling out" and becoming just another pop band. Trust me, this band is not The Corrs and never will be. That's not to say I don't like The Corrs and their brand of pop music,it's only to say that Solas is not, and never will be, as pop as the Corrs. Solas is a wonderful band, and "Waiting for an Echo" is a wonderful album.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Return to Form, March 13, 2005

By 

David "forestcity" (Evanston, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waiting for an Echo (Audio CD)

After wandering from their base, especially with Edge of Silence, Solas has returned to form. There is no better traditional Irish band at work and Waiting for an Echo reinforces that fact. Solas delivers the best version ever of The Silver Dagger. Deirdre Scanland delivers great vocal readings of On A Sea Of Fleur De Lis and The Ploughman. (If there is a fair criticism of this cd, it is that Deirdre's beautiful voice is not present enough.)

The jigs and reels are exactly what we have come to expect from Solas. This is there best record since The Words That Remain. Given a few listens more, I might come back and say it is better than anything they have done.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars dear reviewer, Who CARES if they plug-in?!, July 2, 2005

By 

Will Alston (BALTIMORE, MARYLAND USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Waiting for an Echo (Audio CD)

(As regards a reviewer's objection to use of electricity)Who CARES if a guitarist uses an electric guitar once in a while? Please...! give me a break for cryin'out loud! - or a musician's creative decision or motivation to use a drum kit - so what?!These instruments are CHOSEN by and being wonderfully played by FIRST-RATE MUSICIANS! - indeed, MASTERS of their craft!I choose to give Solas respect and 'FREEDOM' (remember THAT word?) to grow, explore, expand, create, and of course, to mature.It's interesting that some music listeners are forever expecting more of the "same old thing"... from NEW cd releases!!!I applaud Solas for this extremely musical, and wonderfully creative work. It's simply great stuff!And I appreciate their apparent trust that as THEY mature, listeners will have experienced growth and maturity also.