Post by Joe on Apr 22, 2006 21:34:20 GMT -5
Review of "Forerunner" from the April issue of Celtic Heritage Magazine www.celticheritage.ns.ca
"FORERUNNER—AS CLOSE AS THERE IS TO PERFECTION" -J. Ferguson
April 2, 2006
THE COTTARS
"FORERUNNER"
When Gordie Sampson's first solo recording "Stones" was released, I chatted with veteran Cape Breton musician Ralph Dillon (Buddy and the Boys, Rita MacNeil) at a release. He said when he listened to the CD—and I'm paraphrasing here—he couldn't find anything wrong with it. The singing, playing, mixing and instrument sounds were all flawless. It was like the perfect CD.
I suppose no recording is really perfect but "Forerunner" by The Cottars is as close as there is to perfection. The sister/brother quartet of Fiona and Ciarán MacGillivray and Roseanne and Jimmie MacKenzie have released their third recording and their first on the prestigious Rounder label. It's a wonderful collection of traditional and contemporary folk music that works on all levels. These four teenagers are skilled musicians and play a long list of instruments. They are joined by top-notch studio musicians in Cape Breton and Nashville for this CD. "Forerunner" was produced by Ciarán and Fiona's dad, Allister MacGillivray, and multi-skilled Cape Breton musician, Gordie Sampson. It was recorded at Lakewind Studios in Cape Breton and Sound Emporium in Nashville.
There isn't anything that comes close to a weak spot on this CD, but I have a few favourites. The polka medley with Roseanne on fiddle and Jimmie on tenor banjo really caught my ear. It seems like Tom Waits writes songs just for The Cottars. "Georgia Lee" is a haunting duet by Fiona and Ciarán. When I heard The Cottars' version of "Hold On" on the radio I actually didn't recognize Fiona's voice. It has matured so much in the last couple of years. An achingly beautiful rendition of Ron Hynes' "Atlantic Blue" has Fiona in a duet with guest singer, Jimmy Rankin. This is another CD with beautiful photography with the four photogenic young people against a leaden sky. Photography is by Andrew MacNaughtan.
The Cottars have really taken the folk world by storm the last few years and, in
this case, "Forerunner" can only be an omen of better things to come for these
talented young musicians. A must for your collection.
— John Ferguson, "Celtic Heritage Magazine", April/06
"FORERUNNER—AS CLOSE AS THERE IS TO PERFECTION" -J. Ferguson
April 2, 2006
THE COTTARS
"FORERUNNER"
When Gordie Sampson's first solo recording "Stones" was released, I chatted with veteran Cape Breton musician Ralph Dillon (Buddy and the Boys, Rita MacNeil) at a release. He said when he listened to the CD—and I'm paraphrasing here—he couldn't find anything wrong with it. The singing, playing, mixing and instrument sounds were all flawless. It was like the perfect CD.
I suppose no recording is really perfect but "Forerunner" by The Cottars is as close as there is to perfection. The sister/brother quartet of Fiona and Ciarán MacGillivray and Roseanne and Jimmie MacKenzie have released their third recording and their first on the prestigious Rounder label. It's a wonderful collection of traditional and contemporary folk music that works on all levels. These four teenagers are skilled musicians and play a long list of instruments. They are joined by top-notch studio musicians in Cape Breton and Nashville for this CD. "Forerunner" was produced by Ciarán and Fiona's dad, Allister MacGillivray, and multi-skilled Cape Breton musician, Gordie Sampson. It was recorded at Lakewind Studios in Cape Breton and Sound Emporium in Nashville.
There isn't anything that comes close to a weak spot on this CD, but I have a few favourites. The polka medley with Roseanne on fiddle and Jimmie on tenor banjo really caught my ear. It seems like Tom Waits writes songs just for The Cottars. "Georgia Lee" is a haunting duet by Fiona and Ciarán. When I heard The Cottars' version of "Hold On" on the radio I actually didn't recognize Fiona's voice. It has matured so much in the last couple of years. An achingly beautiful rendition of Ron Hynes' "Atlantic Blue" has Fiona in a duet with guest singer, Jimmy Rankin. This is another CD with beautiful photography with the four photogenic young people against a leaden sky. Photography is by Andrew MacNaughtan.
The Cottars have really taken the folk world by storm the last few years and, in
this case, "Forerunner" can only be an omen of better things to come for these
talented young musicians. A must for your collection.
— John Ferguson, "Celtic Heritage Magazine", April/06