Capercaille
From Scotland, they are like a Scottish version of Clannad. Karen Matheson
has a beautiful voice, and often sings in Scottish Gaelic. The songs are about
contemporary issues, love and Celtic themes. Here are my favourite tracks:
To the Moon is the first track. It opens with Karen almost whispering in
Scottish Gaelic, with a slow beat that then builds up to a medium tempo beat,
a fusion of old and modern Celtic sounds.
You, track 5, is another fusion of old and new Celtic sounds. It has fiddles,
guitar and piano. It is sung in English.
La Paella Grande, track 6, despite its un Celtic title is very Scottish-
a fast tune of fiddles and would be another great campfire tune to dance to!
It is sung in English.
Track 8, Aileen Duinn, is absolutely hauntingly beautiful- by far the best
track on the album. Sung in Scottish Gaelic, it has plaintive flutes and is
heart rendering. Karen’s vocals show great emotional depth and the voices
of the men echo her vocals to great effect. The song is about a woman who
was going to buried on the far side of Disdair Sound, but a storm came so
her coffin was thrown overboard and it sank where her beloved had been drowned,
and calm and peace came upon the sea. The crew whose lives had been in danger
were saved.
Rob Roy Reels, track 11, is a traditional instrumental Scottish tune of
fiddles and flutes.
The Price of Fire, track 12, is a gentle ballad, of contemporary sound,
with piano; with a flute to add a Celtic feel to it. It is sung in English.
The last track, Eastern Reel, is an instrumental with a fusion of modern
and traditional Celtic sounds- flutes, fiddles and electric guitar.
Fawn
Audio CD October 23, 1995
UK Label: Survival
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