The Blood Is Strong [IMPORT]

Capercaillie

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Valley
• ASIN: B00004YLQ2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,388 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Collected from the soundtracks to three independent films which aired on British television, The Blood Is Strong shows Capercaillie at their most traditional. These 25 tracks, written expressly for the films (entitled The Blood Is Strong, A Prince Among Islands, and Highlanders), call forth images of a verdant land and a remarkably rich culture. The documentaries explore Scottish history and current events, and the Capercaillie sound befittingly blends both old-world tradition with current trend, while eschewing the New Age trappings which make their music less enjoyable for a host of purists and folk fans. For this very reason, The Blood Is Strong, steeped in bagpipes, Gaelic language, and Celtic stringed instrumentation, will likely appeal to the widest variety of Capercaillie listeners. Singer Karen Matheson, described by Sean Connery (who narrates the final of the three films) as in possession of a voice "surely touched by the hand of God," has never sounded more lovely or self-assured. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting Highland Beauty, December 14, 2000

By	Barbara A. Needham (Virginia) - See all my reviews

We purchased Capercaillie: the blood is strong, while driving through the Scottish Highlands. What an amazing bit of fortune; we had taken a wrong turn and stopped to ask for directions at a local tourist information/gift store. This CD was playing,and we quickly purchased it and put it in our rental car CD player. Needless to say, we played it the entire trip, in our hotel as well as car. The music is absolutely beautiful; and Karen Matheson's vocals enchanting. Sean Connery has said her "throat has been touched by God". The first track, "AN CALLE BAN" is reminiscient of music from the "Braveheart" soundtrack, but with a more authentic sound. It helps that the vocals are all in Gaelic. The second tune, "Dembnall (Black Donald)" is a bit more upbeat and lively. I feel that the songs have been arranged well on this CD, with a good mix of upbeat and mellow tunes. In short, this is a CD which we have enjoyed over and over again, always reminding us of the magnificent beauty of the Scottish Highlands. I am anxious to purchase more of Capercaillie's music.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A view of Scotland, May 24, 2001

By	Richard C. Duncan (Galway, NY USA) - See all my reviews

"The Blood is Strong" is a great way to introduce yourself to one of the best true Scottish bands, giving you a flavoring of what they can do, both instrumentally and vocally. The songs are culled from their work for a reason, though - they're the soundtracks to 3 films done by independent British TV. The instrumentals, ranging from moody to danceable, and the vocals, featuring the superb voice of Karen Matheson, catch the feelings of the Highlands at their best. I find myself drawn back to a family trip of a few years past that took us through the beautiful land of my fore-fathers. This CD is better listened to with the knowledge that it was done more to convey a feeling of a country than a "greatest hits" of a very talented group of musicians. If you want that, then "Dawn to Dusk" would be a better choice. If you just want to bring out the Gaelic in you, then buy this very well done musical collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Addition, December 13, 2002

By	"antithesis90" (Hamel, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Warning: THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER CAPERCAILLIE CD!!! This is, interestingly enough, the first one I bought, and it's wonderful; it managed to get me hooked on the band. But as a compilation of soundtracks, many of the tracks are short, transitional music; many are instrumental. The vocalised songs are nice, but showcase merely Karen's beautiful voice, not necessarily her magnificent talent. It's a wonderful addition to a complete Capercaillie collection, but not necessarily representative of the band's other offerings.