Windward Away

Archie Fisher | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 1, 2008
• Label: Red House Records
• Copyright: (C) 2008 Red House
• Genres: Country/Bluegrass, Folk/Traditional British & Celtic Folk, Folk/Traditional Folk, International/Celtic, International/Europe
• ASIN: B001BW97YG
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,026 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, October 10, 2008

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Windward Away (Audio CD)

I am a big fan of Scottish folk legend Archie Fisher, particularly his 1976 masterpiece, "Will Ye Gang, Love". So when I heard that he was releasing his first new album in twenty years, I was both thrilled and a bit nervous. Would he be too over the hill? Hardly. Fisher's voice, a gentle, supple brogue that makes every song sound timeless, is in fine form on these songs. The album also includes eight vintage recordings from the 1970s that were recorded for a record that was later shelved -- a bonus treat for longtime devotees. If you're an Archie Fisher fan from many years back, or if you're new to his work, but appreciate Celtic folk that skilfully encompasses modern influences, then you'll definitely want to check this out. Highly recommended! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue World Music Guide)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing collection of tunes old and new by Fisher, December 2, 2008

By 

Nettie Scott (City of Brotherly Love) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Windward Away (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Archie Fisher for decades. This new album compiles some old songs that never got to vinyl as planned and some new recordings of both his own compositions and those of others. Fisher makes every song his own. He has the ability to write contemporary lyrics and meld them with melodies that feel very traditional, especially when sung in his distinctive Scottish brogue. His voice is still rich and melodic. I continue to be amazed at how unfamiliar Americans are with his music. As with Canada's Ian Tyson (of the old Ian and Sylvia duo) too many American music lovers have never been introduced to two of the finest balladeers around today. Both are in their seventies now, but their music remains alive, fresh and derived from their life experience.

The only issue I have with this album is that the arrangements on two of the songs I found to be off-putting. Final Trawl, his own composition, is a gorgeous fisherman's song, but I had a hard time holding onto the mood of the song as the symphonic harmonies were distracting. Listen to Bok, Muir and Trickett for a more accessible interpretation several decades ago on Folkways. The same was true for Ashfields and Brine, also his own composition. You will find a much more satisfying arrangement on Fisher's album "Sunsets I've Galloped Into". I am surprised that Fisher chose such distracting accompaniment for these two stunningly beautiful songs, especially given that he has tended in the past to rely upon relatively simple, straight forward accompaniment that enriches delivery of his lovely songs.

That said, I highly recommend this album. And if you like it try some of his others: "Archie Fisher", "Man with a Rhyme", "Sunsets I've Galloped Into", "Will Ye Gang Love". and "Off the Map" are all delightful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Windward Away, June 28, 2009

By 

ChancesR "ChancesR" (Maine) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Windward Away (Audio CD)

Lovely music - soothing lovely voice and wonderful guitar work. All in all music to soothe the savage beast.