The Winds Begin to Sing

Karan Casey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000059LEK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,600 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another stunningingly beautiful CD from Karan, April 13, 2001

By 

J. Scarff (Berkeley, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Winds Begin to Sing (Audio CD)

Of all the great Irish women singers (Cathy Jordan of Dervish, Niamh Parsons, Delores Keane, etc), Karan Casey is my favorite. Karan is back with her second solo album after her superb debut "Songlines". The most striking difference in this CD are the spare arrangements compared to Songlines where the tracks included many of her band members from SOLAS. Here, accompaniment is provided mainly by Ted Barnes on guitar and bouzouki, with occasional appearances by Donald Shaw on piano, Michael McGoldrick on flute and Niall Vallelly on concertina (a treat). The focus is almost entirely on Karan's singing which in its slightly understated way brings enormous impact to the intense, often political, largely traditional songs she has chosen with several in Gaelic. Not quite as approachable as "Songlines", this CD a wonderfully thoughtful, fascinating, poetic and highly effective exploration of human dramas of the heart and war through song both old and new. Very highly recommended. And if you don't already have them, be sure to pick up SOLAS's first three CDs which feature Karan plus some mighty instrumental playing.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ARTIST IN TOP FORM, August 14, 2002

By 

Peter Damashek (Kobe, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winds Begin to Sing (Audio CD)

James Taylor, what a voice. First time you hear it, it's like, how did that guy get such a soothing, intimate voice like that? Sweet, profound. Fast forward a few years to Karan Casey, and there! The same endearing vocal qualities----comforting, vulnerable, confident. A voice that compares to Sandy Denny, Astrud Gilberto, Sarah McLaughlin. Great command of vocal ornaments, a little like country singer George Jones that way. A little like Dick Gaughan's (sadly) now out of print "No More Forever." A recording you'll go back to for many years.

The CD holds together well, nice continuity, good flow. Great production (for me, that means knowing how to say "no," as in no violin sections, no tambourines). Her "Songlines" CD was good, but more of a band effort, with Karan taking a backseat at times to the incredibly talented musicians she attracts. This effort is Karan at the top of her game---shining brilliantly over music that is still every bit as interesting as the more complex arrangements of previous work.

Her choice of material reflects her position as THE vocal center of Irish traditional music. Her association with archivist Frank Harte assures the listener of a wealth of material that begs to be recorded. Knowing this CD is like sharing a secret with a friend. It's a wonderful effort. Thanks Karan!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Dissappointing Effort from a Great Celtic Voice!, July 3, 2003

By 

jasperg55 (SALEM, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winds Begin to Sing (Audio CD)

When news of Karan Casey's leaving the amazing Solas band to go solo first hit, I was both bummed and excited. On one hand, I did not look forward to the possible end of one of the world's greatest Celtic folk acts, but, on the other, loving her first solo work, the brilliant: "Songlines", I really was jazzed to hear her new stuff.
Thankfully, Solas continues, as strong as ever, unfortunately the same (in this listeners opinion) can't be said for "the winds begin to sing"...
In a nutshell, this record drags - from start to finish. Gone is the fire, the highs & lows, the well crafted and brilliantly sung tunes of "Songlines"...
Ms.Casey's voice is in fine form, but it can't save this record of average songs, and average playing & production.
I miss Seamus Egan's touch in the producers role ( Solas & "Songlines) which may have helped in song writing / song selection and definitely would have lit a fire in the production here.
I find my opinion of this record has not changed since I bought it on it's release day in 2001, and it rarely, if ever, gets play now. Of course the hardcore Casey fan (who will buy anything with her name on it) will disagree here, but save your money on this one and buy her earlier work.
I only hope her future releases put her back in the saddle as one of the world's great Celtic folk voices!