|
Newfoundland's Great Big Sea has rocked us for 15 years when they decided to try a different tack. England--another 'come to the new country' song. What a riot. It's folksy, but still has the element of riotous fun that you'd expect from the band. It's classic GBS humor. If you're a long time GBS fan, you may not like this CD. "Fortune's Favour" sounds more like a Fairport Convention CD than something GBS would produce. It tells of the Newfoundlanders coming to their new home and carving a new life.Straight to Hell--if Robert Johnson could go to the crossroads, why can't a Celtic Band.
I do, but I'm also a fan of Fairport and Steeleye Span. My favorites:Walk on the Moon--an optimistic, full of life song, definitely going on my playlist of cheer up songs. This is one you're going to like, even if you're disappointed in the rest. Rebecca Kyle, May 2009
I had only heard this group on a compilation album so when I heard it reviewed on NPR, I ordered the CD. Have only listened to it once but they make great music in the Irish folk tradition.
Their "pop" stuff is so much better than the rest of the pop dreck out there, and, anyway, it's not fair to expect them to stick only to the trad stuff. Dream to Live, Long Lost Love and Hard Case are great songs, but are even better in concert, and Rocks of Marasheen, which is sadly drab on the CD, comes to life live, in the hands of the Shantyman.Love Me Tonight, Walk on the Moon, Dance and Straight to Hell are just great, upbeat, singable songs. But for a band with a catalogue as extensive as GBS, three songs. I rank it down there with Widow in the Window and that regrettable song, Love. It just makes me happy, and that's the very best thing you can say about a song.The gorgeous England was written by Sean McCann, and I think it's a fine compliment to him that such a song should sound so rich and "old" that it's mistaken for trad. This album gives a good dose of both.
Just enjoy and be happy that they are able to give fans such a wide variety. Here and Now probably ranks as one of my top favorite two or three GBS tunes ever. I was a bit unsure about Fortune's Favor at first, since it is indeed a little bit different direction for GBS, but after listening to it for several months now, I discovered myself consistently choosing it first on my daily commute.There's no reason GBS can't do some original material. and that sums up this band in a nutshell. I absolutely love it, he's not too keen. The only song on the CD I just can't bear is the (sorry here) whiney Heart of Stone. Now we are waiting on pins and needles for a live album right up and through Fortune's Favor.
How great is it that there's three guys in this band who can sing lead. Why pigeonhole such a talented group. Hey. I don't know if Banks of Newfoundland is old or new, but it's the perfect "Bob" piece, and one I find myself humming as I do (appropriately) chores. (I would like to hear some more Murray, though).Company of Fools-my husband and I split the difference on this one. That gives them, what, a 97% thumbs up rate. The lovely thing about GBS is, it's always such a pleasure to hear new versions of old favorites.
This is a great CD, A litle different than their 'shanty' stuff, but love it just the same.
Great Big Sea are one of the best exports of Canada and rank just about at the top of my favorite bands right now. More songs about Newfoundland's past please. So I was excited to see this release in the summer of '08.Their last cd, "The Hard and the Easy", was more about traditional Newfoundland Celtic sounds, this one is more pop oriented. To take nothing away from this recording, I do miss the traditional stuff. Like all of their cds this one has some real gems (especially for those lucky enough to have bought the digital pre-release including their fabulous rendition of Led Zepellin's "Gallows Pole"). A strong effort with some of their best punchy pop-rock material but sadly lacking in enough of the folk stuff.Tracks to listen to: "England", "Rocks of Merasheen", "Here and Now", "Straight to Hell", "Love Me Tonight".
|
