Rant and Roar

Great Big Sea

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 2, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B000007OPC
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,935 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #22 in	Music > World Music > Celtic > Rock
  #96 in	Music > Folk > Traditional British & Celtic Folk > Irish Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Musicians have been fusing traditional Celtic music with rock & roll since the '60s, but few have done it as successfully as the Canadian band Great Big Sea. Rant and Roar is the band's sixth CD, and it's designed to introduce them to U.S. audiences by presenting the best songs from two of their earlier releases, Up and Play. Unlike most Celtic-rock fusion bands, Great Big Sea eschew electric guitars and synthesizers in favor of acoustic guitars and traditional instruments like bodhran, bouzouki, fiddle, flute, and whistle. But on tracks like "The Old Black Rum," a rousing drinking song in the Dubliners tradition; the moving ballad "General Taylor"; or their cover of R.E.M.'s "End of the World," their instrumental prowess and powerful vocals more than make up for the lack of electric instruments. Not only have Great Big Sea scored hits with previously archaic song forms like sea shanties, drinking tunes, and ballads, they make these old songs rock. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshinly new musical experience for this rocker., November 14, 1998

By A Customer

My musical taste has generally been hard rock and it was getting old and tired for me. I live in Massachusetts and I caught Great Big Sea doing an outdoor live concert from snowy Marble Mountain, Newfoundland on my satellite receiver.

I couln't believe my ears. I had been looking for something new and this band was proud, bold, rockin and entertaining like no other band I've ever known.

I can only best describe the music as happy, whimsical, and spirited. Music you can sing-a-long to, dance to or relax to. I obtained their first three Canadian CD's, Great Big Sea, Up and Play and I became a serious fan.

Their US release of Rant and Roar is a fantastic compilation and more of some of their best music. There is not a single lousy track. I highly recommend you buy the CD and you'll find yourself playing it over and over, again and again.

I love them so much, my wife Donna and I traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to see them perform. Don't miss a chance to see them live.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Got The Sun And The Sky, All The Water Surrounds Me!", March 14, 2006

By	Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Come in, take off your hat and coat and grab a seat near the fire. Order a pint of 'screech' and relax, the music is about to begin. Welcome to Newfoundland!

'Rant And Roar' is a fun, rollicking CD by the Great Big Sea, four native Newfoundlanders who draw their inspiration and music from a unique and rich cultural heritage. English, Irish, Scottish, French and who knows what else come together with a flair that reminds us all of what the "Old World" was like in simplier times.

Though I'm not a native Newfoundlander I have spent numerous summer's there visiting the maternal side of my family. In my youth I've walked up and down Saint John's fishing docks listening to my Grandfather barter in Portugese with fisherman for the best price on the catch of the day and watched the icebergs float by while standing atop Cabot's Tower on the hillside overlooking Saint John's Harbor. All the pleasant memories of the time I've spent there is embodied in this wonderful music. Come with me to other time, another place and sing the type of songs your Grandparents sang. Songs of love, songs of life, songs for drinking and a dirge or two thrown in for good measure. Just be sure to bring your stomping shoes if you got any!

My Highest Recomendation!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You haven't lived until you've heard "End of the World", December 9, 1999

By	Matt (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

I heard these guys on the radio over an NPR station, "The Night Pat Murphy Died" specifically - kind of folk music on speed, I guess. The CD is amazing, few CDs make me want to get up and dance as much as this one does. I've played it for friends (all of whom have slightly eclectic tastes) and its become the most popular CD of mine to "borrow". If you like folksy music played quickly and with passion, this is a must-own CD.