Waiting for an Echo

Artist: Solas
Label: Shanachie
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 016351786029
EAN: 0016351786029
ASIN: B0006TRO6S

Release Date: 2005-02-22

Related Categories:

British Folk

| Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General

| Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General

| Folk | Styles | Music

Irish Folk

| Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk

| Folk | Styles | Music

Britain

General

| International | Styles | Music

Celtic New Age

| New Age | Styles | Music

General

| Pop | Styles | Music

Celtic Folk

| Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General

| Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Ireland

Listmania:

Featured Solas titles
A Very Short List of Very Good Celtic Music
A list for Irish Dancers
Love of Things Celtic
Best Albums 0f 2005

Tracks:

The Hanover Reel / John James Reel / The Copperplate
The Silver Dagger
Tom Sullivans / Micks Polka / The Newmarket Polka
On a Sea of Fleur de Lis
The Night Visit
The Coconut Dog / Morning Dew
Doireanns Waltz
Lowground
The Ballerina Jig
Erin
The Ploughman
Steven Campbells / The Road to Ringussoon / The Bag of Beer
Mi Pequena Estrella (Little Star)

Similar Items:

Local Ground
When All Is Said and Done
Another Day
The Words That Remain
Reunion: A Decade of Solas

Customer Reviews:

Eh..........2006-08-01

This album is definitely continuing in the downswing that Solas has been experiencing in recent years. Although the number of tunes has increased including some very nice sets (which is why I'm giving it a 3 and not lower), most of the songs are just uninteresting to me.

Better..........2006-05-10

I'm a traditional Irish musician and Solas' first two albums are definitely on my top ten list and always will be. However, every time a band member swaps out and every time Seamus Egan finds a new way to over-produce traditional music, I lose a bit more interest in this band.

Unless you're looking for new-agey, rock-influenced folk music, stay away from any of their albums past Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers. Although they may be playing traditional music in a technical sense, there's so much percussion and amplified instruments on their new tracks as to make it completely buried. The same goes for Seamus Egan's recent solo work.

However, with this album it's a bit of a welcome return to form. Granted, without John Williams, Karen Casey and John Doyle, they'll never approach the great sound they had a decade ago, but at least this album has actual TUNES. There aren't many of them compared to the songs (seems to be the general trend in traditional bands trying to branch out), but at least the album isn't made up of "pieces".

I have my usual complaints about the album--it sounds over-produced, over-arranged, and over-dubbed. Win Horan still hasn't gotten past her classical past, apparently. Who uses vibrato on reels, anyway? Her playing often reminds me of classical players new to Irish music who lack the subtelty and style needed for traditional music. And it's a shame that one of this generation's most talented musicians, Seamus Egan, seems to have been stricken with chronic bad taste.

In general, if you're looking for a good intro to Irish music, don't start here. Danu, Flook, Dervish and Slide are the big names now. For solo work, check out former member John Williams' album, "Steam", and the latest from Liz Carroll and John Doyle. And don't ever get those 4 or so albums Solas recorded during their "experimental" (read: "selling out") stage. Try the first 2 and stop or you'll risk being very disappointed.

i heart solas.......2005-12-14

hi guys- i love solas and i think they are an awesomely cool group of wicked good musicans. so about this newish cd, it was good but i think some of the songs were kinda pop ish. like the ones with the guy singing it was not really what they used 2 do. i think compared to the edge of silence cd it was not as good, but edge of silence was the best.. buy it if u dont have it!!! also see this band in concert cause they r amazing!! get up and dance- it makes it way cooler!
love u guys!(solas i mean) bye-

Thank you WUMB-Boston.......2005-08-22

I say thanks to WUMB-Boston because that's how I was introduced to "Waiting for an Echo." I couldn't find the CD in Madison WI so I ordered it from Amazon. The music is beautifully unique. I can't speak to its tradition, but all the voices are rich and powerful. My favorites are On a Sea of Fleur de Lis, Silver Dgger, Erin and Lowground. There are few CDs that I consider an "investmentment," but this is one of them.

dear reviewer, Who CARES if they plug-in?!.......2005-07-02

(As regards a reviewer's objection to use of electricity)Who CARES if a guitarist uses an electric guitar once in a while? Please...! give me a break for cryin'out loud! - or a musician's creative decision or motivation to use a drum kit - so what?!These instruments are CHOSEN by and being wonderfully played by FIRST-RATE MUSICIANS! - indeed, MASTERS of their craft!I choose to give Solas respect and 'FREEDOM' (remember THAT word?) to grow, explore, expand, create, and of course, to mature.It's interesting that some music listeners are forever expecting more of the "same old thing"... from NEW cd releases!!!I applaud Solas for this extremely musical, and wonderfully creative work. It's simply great stuff!And I appreciate their apparent trust that as THEY mature, listeners will have experienced growth and maturity also.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Merlin's Leap: Once Upon a Fingerstyle Guitar ~ Bruce Goldish

Monumension ~ Enslaved

Rockview Interviews ~ Marilyn Manson

Cocody Rock!!! ~ Alpha Blondy

Recuerdos De Provincia ~ Liliana Herrera

Christmas Around the World ~ Various Artists

El Conteo Final ~ Taino

Sawanna Show ~ Banda Sawanna Show

Music Album 85

Blowin' Away ~ Joan Baez