Roses and Tears

Capercaillie

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2008)
• Original Release Date: May 6, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B0015RB3IA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,830 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Their seductively contemporary sound and production, their mastery of traditional instruments (along with a willingness to look beyond them) and the voice of Karen Matheson have helped Capercaillie re-model the Celtic landscape --Q Magazine

Product Description
Credited with being at the forefront of the renaissance in folk/roots music over the last 20 years, Capercaillie, Scotland s finest celtic act, return with their new studio album Roses and Tears .The album features many newly discovered traditional songs sourced from the Gaelic song archive at the School of Scottish Studies,along with self-penned material and a beautiful rendition of John Martyn s anti-war song Don t You Go .

This album re-affirms Capercaillies unfailing enthusiasm for the music they inherited whilst growing up on the Atlantic fringes of Scotland and Ireland. Their innovative approach to traditional sources and influences and the excitement they create through live performance explains the widespread esteem in which they are held in the current explosive folk scene.

The line-up of the band (described by Mojo as a marriage made in heaven ) unites sublime vocals of Karen Matheson with Donald Shaw - accordian & piano, Manus Lunny - bouzouki, Charlie McKerron fiddle, Michael McGoldrick - pipes & flutes, Ewen Vernal - bass; Che Beresford drums, David Robertson - percussion.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Feel-good-grooves. Probably their best recording to date !, May 8, 2008

By	starschaser (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

"Roses and Tears" delivers all you'd expect from the experienced eight-piece ensemble and proves a more than welcome return after a long six-year wait for new material following 2002's "Choice Language".
There are no surprises in this typically polished collection of songs and instrumental sets.
Capercaillie have modernised their sound over the years, but always within the basic context of an essentially acoustic folk line-up augmented by a drumkit and a bit of electric keyboard, and it continues to stand them in good stead in sparkling instrumental sets such as "The Aphrodisiac" and "Rose Cottage Reels".
Dip in anywhere and you'll find something to please and delight.
Karen Matheson's Gaelic singing is well-represented, notably on the lovely "Seinneam Cliù Nam Fear Ùr" (which translates as "I Sing the Praises of the Brave Lads"), a translucently delivered song from the Isle of Skye, which is the vocal highlight of the album - or the Murdo MacDonald-penned "Leodhasach an tir chein" (A Lewisman in a Foreign Country).
She switches to English for a brace of anti-war songs, John Martyn's poignant, impeccable "Don't You Go" and Donald Shaw's "Soldier Boy".
If the gossamer-light vocals of Karen Matheson take centre stage here, its impact is heightened by the crack contributions of her Capercaillie colleagues who play with a consummate, wholly captivating elegance rooted in faultless ensemble.
With splashes of musical decoration including harmony fiddle and uilleann pipes or the attacking triplets of the accordion, the recording will entrance you from beginning to end.
There's no super turbo-charged sets of tunes though they're well capable of cranking up the speeds, the band settle into feel-good grooves such as the "Quimper Waltz" and the more traditional set-piece "The Aphrodisiac".
There are many reasons to applaud this recording not least for the outstanding quality of the production.
Fourteen albums in, the new folk pioneers "Capercaillie" continue to demonstrate why they've been at the forefront of the roots renaissance in their native Scotland for the best part of the last three decades.
Capercaillie are: Karen Matheson - vocals; Donald Shaw - accordian & piano; Manus Lunny - bouzouki; Charlie McKerron - fiddle with Michael McGoldrick - pipes & flutes; Ewen Vernal - bass; Che Beresford - drums & David Robertson - percussion.

Choice Language

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong addition to Capercaillie's library, September 17, 2008

By	R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've loved Capercaillie for years. They're tops in Celtic rock, folk infused with contemporary electronics and a bit of Afro sound through in for good measure. Their lead singer, Karen Matheson, has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard--in studio recordings and in person.

"Roses and Tears" is not in my opinion their best CD, but it's a strong addition to their work. It's a mix of traditional and contemporary, English and Gaelic lyrics.

Anti-war songs are strong right now and this CD doesn't let that anthem go lightly. "Don't you Go" and "Soldier Boy" both deliver a solid punch.

I love hearing Karen Matheson singing Gaelic and there's enough tunes here to keep me happy. "Him Bo" is a great opener. "A Racan' A Bh Againne" is also lovely. I have no idea what she's singing, could be a grocery list for all I know of Gaelic, but it's so worth listening to.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008

5.0 out of 5 stars You wouldn't except anything less!, July 27, 2008

By	I. Amrein (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is really only one thing you can say about "Roses and Tears", it is another MASTERPIECE. I don't think Capercaillie are capable of failing to be at their best when recording a new album. I had the pleasure to see them performing live when they came to Australia a few years ago and it was one of the best concerts I've been to.