Customer Reviews

Way Out to Hope Street

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4 star:		(0)
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The artists who made the original "Skyedance" album (Machlis and Fraser) join here with a group of other outstanding musicians and a passel of original tunes. While the quality of the compositions varies and the arrangements are occasionally repetitious, in general the album is a delight. (One major contributor to its success is the terrific percussionist Peter Maund, who did wonders on Ensemble Alcatraz' early music albums a few years back.) The performances, whether cheery or melancholy, are spirited. Much traditional Scottish music consists of dance tunes, and this album never wanders out of sight of those roots. And you've gotta love someone who names a tune "The Braemar Cappuccino"!

This sextet of already-established musical masters combine the best traditional Celtic and modern jazz elements to create a joyful and transcendent musical statement. "Way Out To Hope Street", Skyedance's debut album, is invigorating and distinctive. The vibrant fiddling of Alasdair Fraser, soulful wooden-flute-playing of Chris Norman and expert piping of Eric Rigler provide the traditional Scottish part of the group's sound, while Peter Maund's world percussion adds an eclectic layer. Underneath all of that, the rich piano and keyboards of Paul Machlis and Mick Linden's laid-back fretless bass give everything a modern, jazzy feel. The result is unlike that of any other Celtic group I'm familiar with--not traditional, rock or New Age, but rather a sound all their own. Full of energy, tension, hope and heart, it is really quite striking! The whole here truly is more than the sum of its considerable parts. And the subsequent releases of Skyedance, "Labyrinth" and "Live in Spain", are great too! For other innovative takes on Scottish music, try the compilation album "Bravehearts: New Scots Music: A Narada Collection", and also "Sidewaulk" or "Crosswinds" by Capercaillie.

I heard this song on the Atmosphere's Channel (Satellite music) and I wasn't even engaged...but as soon as heard Bannockburn by Skyedance I ran over to the TV to see who the song was by. I wrote it down and put it in a drawer. I ended up getting married about a year later and I used it as the song the bridesmaid and then I walked down the aisle....it was so beautiful and intense...not a dry eye in the crowd!

These five guys are all superstars in the world of Celtic music. To see them all on one stage is a performance I'll never forget. The CD is fabulous and a perfect example of music that most of the world is missing out on.

This whole CD is very enjoyable. But, I have to confess: the final track "Bannockburn" is one of the most beautiful and stirring pieces of music I've ever heard. It is a masterpiece alone making this CD worth having.

this is another CD I purchase after I dled the entire album mp3s
from the first trax, Way out to hope street, filled with joy and uplift feeling
on the 4th trax, Year's turning, is an excellent piece with bagpipe, fiddle, and bass guitar, brings out joy with tears
on the last trax, Bannockburn, it show the scene of the war...
because the three trax I talked about, I made a decision to buy the CD, and really like it