Customer Reviews

Wild Blue

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album could be a live recording. The clarity, energy, spontenaity and enthusiasm of a live concert flies off this recording. Ms. Ivers covers the gamut of very simple and powerful traditional moments to explosive jazz passes. I have had the good fortune to know many and hear extraordinary comtemporary fiddlers from Celtic, French-Canandien and Scottish traditions, live and on recordings. Without question, this is one of the most moving and enjoyable fiddle recordings I own. It prompts dancing in the kitchen regularly.

Among the luminaries of the Celtic fiddle world, Eileen Ivers most often represents the fireworks. Her playing is energetic and passionate, her dexterity is spectacular, and she maintains a finely honed balance between clever improvisation and fidelity to tradition. That's the side of her that the world knows from "Riverdance." But this album proves that virtuosity isn't all there is to her: the lovely "Maudabawn Chapel," and the solo rendition of "Lament for Staker Wallace," show her emotional depth too. While Ivers is the star of this album, her supporting cast provides more than just backup: they're all superb musicians in their own right, and their rapport with each other and with her comes through strongly. This is a great CD all the way through, and one I know I'll listen to often.

What a full tilt, full range, full gamut, full full CD! Eileen runs the range of emotions with her cuts, from playful to jivey, to soulful, to woeful, to bluesy. Zowie WoW. Never boring. I didn't think I liked celtic til I heard this CD --This lady is very unique, creative, and talented down to the bone marrow. Don't miss this one.

Ms Iver's fiddle playing is truly awesome and will easily attract a wide audience to Celtic-style music. In contrast to her performance in her latest album, "Crossing the Bridge", she is able to stay within the Celtic style, while at the same time extending the boundaries to include a range of non-traditional instruments in the arrangements. The music covers a range of a range of tempo, mood and style. Ms Ivers has since moved to Sony to record her latest album, "Crossing the Bridge", which, in comparison to "Wild Blue" is over-produced and lacks a consistent theme. While her excursions into various world-music styles are enjoyable and show off her versatility, as a coherent album, it compares unfavourably with "Wild Blue". I recommend "Wild Blue" - an excellent album even for those who, like me, are not necessarily devoted fans of Celtic music. I can't fault this one.

I was introduced to Eileen Ivers by seeing her perform with her band live in New York.Being blown away by her live performance, I bought the CD " Crossing The Bridge" and was so impressed by it, I wanted to see what else she had done. "Wild Blue" is flat out not as good a CD as "Crossing the Bridge" but it still contains enough fire and impressive playing to be worth checking out.

This album is the first I heard of Eileen.I was blown away.She brings Celtic to a whole new place.Her use of various colors is extraordinary,especially in the case of percussion.She is a fine soloist.She's firey! Her Irish roots come through and it's so perfectly mixed with good old American soul!She hits you with one thing after another.Nothing stays the same.You go away from this with a great feeling!

Eileen Ivers is an amazing fiddler. She has remarkable control and speed. This album is a must in any Irish/Celtic collection.

Eileen Ivers is an amazing musician. Brilliantly talented with such a shining smile! Inspiring.