The Hour Before Dawn [ENHANCED]

Solas

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 10, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B00004Y9VH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,761 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Solas have become one of the world's most exciting Celtic bands by combining a respect for tradition with an adventurous musical spirit. On their fourth CD, The Hour Before Dawn, they gently stretch the boundaries of Irish music by adding new instrumental textures and more sophisticated harmonies. Led by Seamus Egan's flute and banjo, the band whips through the sets of dance tunes with authority and style. John Doyle continues to expand the vocabulary of Irish rhythm guitar while laying down a solid beat that lets the melodies of fiddler Winifred Horan and accordionist Mick McAuley soar. But as good as the instrumentals are, the songs with vocals are where Solas truly shine. The band's new lead singer, Dierdre Scanlan, has replaced Karan Casey, who left to pursue a solo career. Scanlan is equally adept on ancient ballads like "When My Love and I Parted," where she is accompanied only by Horan's violin, and contemporary songs like "I Will Remember You," which Egan cowrote with Sarah McLachlan. She has an earthy voice that reminds us that despite the band's instrumental prowess, the roots of Irish music are in song. --Michael Simmons

From Rhythm Magazine

The Hour Before Dawn has nearly everything-wonderful vocals, high-powered tunes, and incredible musicians. What's missing is Karan Casey, but the Irish-American supergroup's new singer Deirdre Scanlan manages to hold her own quite well. The album as a whole has something else added to it-more of a pop sound interwoven with the traditional. Most obvious is the group's rendition of "I Will Remember You," a song Solas member Seamus Egan co-wrote with Sarah McLachlan, who made it a hit in 1995. Almost every track exudes more pop or folk--and less Irish--but this is not always a bad thing. It's mostly due to the instruments used (heavy on lots of guitars and drums), and the way they're arranged. The songs are enjoyable, especially "Bheadh buachaillin deas ag Sile," particularly catchy because of accordionist Mick McAuley's opening jazzy riff. Winnie Horan on fiddle peels into "Granny Quinn's," a high-powered reel. "Boy/Girl Tune," composed by McAuley, is full of flavor reflective of distant lands. The melody sounds Eastern European, with minor notes that make it almost klezmer. -Allison M. Brock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOLAS STILL SHINING BRIGHTLY, October 23, 2000

By	"jstraw73" (Bethlehem, PA USA) - See all my reviews

I echo the sentiments of the fan from Chagrin Falls and Scott Humphreys. I believe that this new release will culminate in yet another Indie award for the band (each of their previous three releases won best new independent album of the year). I have been a fan since their first album. Yes, the personnel have changed with the departures of John Williams, Karan Casey, and now John Doyle. However, each one of those talented musicians has been replaced with top notch artists. Mick McCauley (accordian, concertina, low whistle and vocals) truly steps out of the shadows and flourishes on this CD. Dierdre Scanlon (from County Tipperary) has now been with the band for a little more than a year and her voice is pure and lovely. I particularly love her on the lamenting "The Last of the Great Whales" on this new CD. Newest member, Donal Clancy, was a fine choice to replace the remarkable John Doyle (who does, in fact, leave his last mark with the band on the "The Hour Before Dawn," as correctly pointed out by the fan from Chagrin Falls). Donal Clancy is the son of one of the famous singing Clancy Brothers, and most recently was playing with Eileen Ivers. Although Mr. Clancy does not appear on this CD, I have seen Solas twice in the past few weeks and I can testify that the band loses nothing with Donal's impressive playing. Original members Win Horan (fiddle) and Seamus Egan (everything) continue to amaze, both in their individual virtuosity and in their ability to attract bandmates who are clearly at the top of their games. The lovely Ms. Horan is simply unbelievable in her lightning playing of jigs and reels. However, I find myself especially partial to her playing of slow airs, such as "A Little Child" on the new CD, which just seems to tug at the heart. As for Seamus, "he is the man!" He seems to reach down and pick up a different instrument on every tune, whether it be his trademark flute, banjo, tin whistle, low whistle, guitar or whatever. As remarkable as he is, it is refreshing to see him make certain that everyone in the band gets a chance to shine. Perhaps most fun of all, however, is when all the band are playing together. I know it is cliche to call a band tight, but quite frankly, no band does it better than these folks. If you have been a fan of SOLAS, don't let the lineup changes keep you from buying this CD. If you are new to the band, this would be an excellent starter CD. I can't wait for their next recording!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great CD but they've done better, January 29, 2001

By	Ian Clarke (northern ireland) - See all my reviews

Solas' previous CD "Words That Remain" is a classic in Irish traditional music and the loss of Karan Casey certainly affects their sound on this album. However, instrumentally they are incredibly strong and as inventive as ever and Deirdre Scanlon is a gifted singer with a wide range of styles. I don't think the choice of tracks is quite so strong but it is a powerful performance of a very high order of music. The instrumental playing at times leaves you breathless and the energy levels are very high. There are some lovely songs - i like "Bonnie Mae" and "Miner's Life" in particular and "I Will Remember You" is an original gem. I am disappointed to hear critics complain of the lack of "traditional" music on the CD and about the use of "rock" instruments. Based on those criteria the only instruments tolerated would be harp, uillean pipes, wooden flute and fiddle (tin whistle (flageolet), guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, accordion and banjo being modern, foreign invaders)and what a pity! What defines traditional - is it pre-Planxty? Can no more traditional songs be written? Seamus Egan and Co have done their apprenticeship in the rigorous disciplines from the book of traditional music (rhythm and melody) and have enriched it with a new chapter. In general i agree that bass and percussion is often unnecessary but in this case the augmentations are tasteful and generally effective. I would also highly revcommend Liz Carroll's "Lost in the Loop" although if you're a purist it has the Solas rhythm section playing on it and features many of Liz's "brand new" traditional tunes (brilliant).

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars que surprise - solas does it again!, October 11, 2000

By A Customer

While I remain a steadfast and loyal fan of Solas' first self-titled album, which, in my opinion, just had an irrepresable amount of vigor and passion that it soudned barely contained, their fourth effort, The Hour Before Dawn, hardly disappoints...

The recording debut of their new singer, Deirdre Scanlon, leaves us sad to see Karan Casey go, but just as glad to see the new blood arrive. Whereas Casey's voice was high and lilting, Scanlon's contributions have more warmth to them. Both lovely in their own way. The songs picked for this new effort are superb, a few in gaelic the rest in english - one of the latter being sung by recently departed guitarist John Doyle. Doyles "The Miner's Life" is easily one of the best tracks of the album, which fantastic harmonies by the rest of the band - the only disappointment being the un-likelyhood that we'll ever hear it live now.

The music tracks show another step in the path away from strict irish trad that Solas has slowly been creeping away on since their initial release. There's still some blistering tracks of reels and jigs that are amazing in both the technical and melodic realms, but added to the mix are a few slower pieces arranged beautifully to feature the strongest talents of each group member.

Also new to the mix are bass player and percussionist Chico Huff and Michael Aharon, who'll be touring with the group. They prove to be an addition to the group that really adds another level of depth to the sound that is Solas.

This album is a superb contribution to Irish music - and music in general, sure to satisfy a number of different demographics. The only thing I find myself wishing for is perhaps a little less of the arranging, musically superb though it may be, and a little bit of that fire from the original album, that seems to still be there, but perhaps a bit more reigned in then I'd liek to see. But regardless, I'm at working humming the album quite happily :)