Music : Play
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0706301859223
Format: Import
Label: Wea International
Manufacturer: Wea International
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Wea International
Release Date: October 28, 1997
Sales Rank: 67817
Studio: Wea International
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Album Details:
Newfoundland, Canadian Celts' 1996, Third-Ever Release. Includes an Interesting Cover of REM'S 'End of the World', plus a Whole LPs Worth of Traditional Irish-Based Songsmithy: 'Night Pat Murphy Died', 'Donkey Riding', 'Greenspond' and More.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
There's a definite pecking order on both sides of the 49th Parallel in North America. Americans poke fun at Canada, calling the country "America's kid brother" and "the 51st State," but who is it the Canadians kick around? Well, that would be the proud inhabitants of the province of Newfoundland. This easternmost province is a geological chunk of Europe connected to North America; the youngest Canadian province which boasts the oldest continuously-functioning city on the continent (St. John's); a place with a time zone offset by half an hour from the rest of Canada. Newfoundland is far enough away from the mainland, both geographically and culturally, that its citizens have become prime targets in the humor wars. "Newfies" have long had to deal with widespread jokes deriding their accents, their lack of sophistication, their intelligence--and to their credit, they mostly do so gracefully. Even so, the widespread belief is that Newfoundland produces only moose meat, canned seal and fish.
Well, I can tell you there's one very worthwhile thing Newfoundland exports, and that's music. The province has given the world such stellar acts as the Celtic Connection, the Irish Descendants and the Ennis Sisters. And of course, there is Great Big Sea--about the most popular band in Newfoundland, topping the charts in Canada and making a respectable name for itself south of the border as well. The secret of their success isn't too hard to decipher: a unique sound inspired by Celtic ... Read More
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This was my first taste of GBS and at first listen it was WOW! This was the most interesting, enjoyable and fun recording released in 1997! They do a great job with Oysterband's "When I'm Up" and the tradtionals are exquisite! Take a listen to the glorious a cappella harmonies on "General Taylor"! There's the fun, hearty "The Night Pat Murphy Died" as well! It would be surprising if they didn't have fun making this album!
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I love this CD. I've had it since it came out. It's GREAT!
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I can't give kudos enough to Great Big Sea, which is probably the best blend of contemporary and traditional music out there. They're a band from Newfoundland who blend the traditional instruments and drinking songs with incredibly catchy music.
Their music tends to vary a lot, much like the similar band "Rawlins Cross," but they seem to take themselves a lot less seriously. There are sad songs such as "How Did We Get from Saying I Love You..." and "My Apology," which seem to fit "Sea" less well than their bouncier tunes. One of those is the hilariously irreverant "Night Pat Murphy Died," about a bunch of guys who honor their dead friend by getting sozzled, and which contains the lyrics "... we went up to the graveyard/so holy and sublime/found out when we got there/we'd left the corpse behind!" They do a cover of REM's "End of the World" which was so good that I originally thought it was their own song; also there are the delightfully danceable "Rigadoon," "Ordinary Day," or "Jolly Roving Tar." A few aren't as danceable, but still very catchy, like the mostly musicless "General Taylor" or the rhythmic "Donkey Riding."
This Celtic-rock band is probably one of the best out there; you can almost imagine these guys dancing and singing as you listen. Check out this and other albums by Great Big Sea, and don't feel ashamed to sing along. I do it whenever I listen.
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This is about as perfect a CD as you can ask for from arguably the greatest band on Earth. Their music is fun and infectious and beyond any sort of label. It will make you sing at the top of your lungs and dance until you fall down. I have never heard anything like these guys before. Every time I play this at my house with visitors present, they want to know who the band is and where they can get a copy of the music. It is THAT good.
The reason I recommend this CD over "Rant and Roar" which was their first U.S. release that contains many of the same songs (and is a bit cheaper) is because the songs that didn't make it on the former album are every bit a good as the ones that did. If you only have "Rant" and have enjoyed killer tunes like "Ordinary Day," "The Night Pat Murphy Died," and a cover of R.E.M.'s "End of the World," you are seriously missing gems like "Donkey Riding" and "Jolly Roaving Tar." There are ten tracks on this CD that didn't make it to the U.S. in their original form (there are a few on the live CD "Road Rage" which is also spectacular). Trust me, you must own "Play."
I cannot praise these guys enough. I wish they got the full recognition they deserved over other bands that are twice as popular and half as good. If you like rock, folk, international, traditional Irish music or anything in between, you will NOT be disappointed by this CD. You have never heard anything like these guys before. Honest!
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