World > African World

Advantages: African Western Fusion
Disadvantages: Production sounds a bit 80's

...I was introduced to when in South Africa. Perhaps there is something about being in that amazing country, but driving through gorgeous scenery, with fabulous people with the sun blazing down hearing the lyrics "I'm searching for the spirit of the Great Heart, Under African sky" struck a chord. I admit if you've never been to Africa, or South Africa, this might not do the same! Johnny Clegg was actually born in Rochdale, Lancashire, he lived in Israel ...
...to SA. Having lived in a black society, attending a black school, and having black friends the culture shock of moving back to apartheid South Africa and attending a white middle-class boarding school obviously had a huge impact on his life, his career and his music. At 14, Johnny began playing guitar and through this he met Mntonganazo Mzila, a Zulu cleaner, who played street music near Johnny's home in Johannesburg. For two years Johnny learned ... Read review

Advantages: Fast, lively, talented, rare sounds
Disadvantages: None that I can think of except it might be difficult to understand lyrics

...a little bit about the band as I notice there is a distinct lack of reviews about them. Taraf de Haidouks are the Buena Vista Social Club of Europe, they're unbelievably talented musicians from a small village in Romania. The band line-up changes and they are forever willing to experiment with other musicians. Having been to a few live concerts of them myself, I can say that they are very open, friendly, talented and create a vigour and excitement ...
...on to the album - Band of Gypsies was recorded in Bucharest in the year 2000, it was the 4th album put out by Taraf De Haidouks, looking to integrate other Balkan styles they invited Kocani Orkestar (from Macedonia), Filip Simeonov a clarinet player from Bulgaria and percussionist Tarik Tuysuzoglu from Turkey to play alongside them on this masterpiece. Apart from the aforementioned songs, there are also a collection of live songs taken from a concert ... Read review

Advantages: Not a bad song on the entire disc - it's that good
Disadvantages: No follow-up album in sight just yet, despite rumours to the contrary

...the world, should have. Thankfully no relation to current tabloid-favourite Lindsay Lohan, Irish singer-songwriter Sinead Lohan's second solo album "No Mermaid" contains a whole raft of memorable and accessible songs. "No Mermaid" was actually something of a departure from the artist's first CD, 1995's "Who Do You Think I Am?". The earlier work was much more folkier, the songs based on more traditional arrangements. Forr her follow-up, this seemed ...
...To date, however, there's been no further news on this, which is a shame - Sinead Lohan has a fine voice and deserves a wider exposure. In fact, I regularly pick "No Mermaid" out of my collection at the expense of more recent purchases, it's that worthy of repeated listening. Twelve fine tracks make up the album: 01. No Mermaid 02. Don't I Know 03. Whatever It Takes 04. Loose Ends 05. Whether Or Not 06. What Can Never Be 07. Believe It If ... Read review

Advantages: Absolute briallian solo playing
Disadvantages: Some acompliment would sound nice with some of the tracks.

Stuart liddell has to be one of the best pipers in the world today. Stuart plays with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, which has won two world titles, he has performed with the band in concerts at the Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, both of which have been placed on the CD. He is a phenomenal player and a great guy, and i had the pleasure of meeting him. The CD has won several awards in the piping scene as well as best "Solo Piping CD ...
...the world has the accuracy, and the musicality of Stuart, and this comes through brilliantly on 'Inveroran'." A little break down of the tracks; The Centenary Jewel - A nice set of 2/4 marches to break into the cd and to start to realize how good this man really is. Inspector Donald Campbell Of Ness - A nice set of competition jigs, here you can get a mix of the perfect finger work along with his great taste of music. Mairi Bhan Og - A relaxing ... Read review

Advantages: Well ahead of its time, a set standard for other pipe bands
Disadvantages: No real solo piping tracks.

This album by far is well ahead of it release time, even today i still think it is one of the best pipe band cds on the market. The brilliant arrangements with supporting instruments make this one of Shotts best cd's that they have produced. The tunes played on this cd are mostly composed by Pipe Major Robert Matheson, another great composer who's music is being played by pipers all over the world. You will know right away when you hear the sound ...
...band are world champions. By the waters edge - A lot of hard work has been put into this tune, played well by the band with excellent supporting instruments. Jigs and slow air - Some nice jigs played here, some even used in shotts competition medley today, slow air especially written for Dunblane massacre, a really nice sombre tune. Farewell to Camraw - Nice tune but didn't seem to have as good as arrangement as most of the other tracks on the ... Read review