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Solas
tourdates
official website
artist information
Track List:
1. Bheadh Buachaillin Deas Ag Sile
2. Granny Quinn's / Lilac Reel, The / Sporting Pat
3. Last Of The Great Whales
4. Little Child, A
5. Miner's Life, A
6. What's Up With Win / Sonny Brogan's / Cahal's Jig
7. When My Love And I Parted
8. Homeless
9. Boy/Girl Tune
10. Bruach Na Carriage Baine
11. Bonnie Mae
12. New Custom House, The / Flavor Of The Month, The / Tinker's Daughter, The / Dogs Among The Bushes / Pinch Of Snuff
13. I Will Remember You
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Solas - The Hour Before Dawn
(Shanachie)
Seeing Solas live can leave a listener wondering what the heck just happened. The band puts on shows that lift concertgoers up high, leaving them feeling as though their heads are going to burst from the atmospheric and rhythmic pressure. But how does Solas' new album, The Hour Before Dawn, compare to its live show? This record does not quite capture the energy of a live performance as fully as the group's past three albums, but it still has much to offer. Although Solas has been together nearly four years, changes in the line-up might have something to do with this difference.
In the new roster, singer Karan Casey has been replaced by the raven haired Deirdre Scanlan. The songwriting and song selection of the group is still incredible, but Scanlan's voice lacks the passion and angelic quality of Casey's. With time and an increased comfort level, Scanlan will likely move gracefully into her new role as lead vocalist. Her potential as a singer does shine through, however, on "Last of the Great Whales," which was written by Andy Barnes. This song imparts a feeling of empathy in the listener that most earth-friendly songs strive towards, but don't generally achieve. One feels as if the creature in this tale is a loved one taking in a final breath here on earth. Once again, Seamus Egan shows his virtuosic power in composition and flute playing on "Homeless." This beautiful melody carries listeners' hearts over the lush green hills of Ireland, while their feet dance at the cliffs of its shore. John Doyle's aggressive guitar playing and Winifred Horan's magnetic fiddle playing come together beautifully in the medley "What's Up With Win/Sonny Brogan's/Cahal's Jig." It is the instrumental songs on The Hour Before Dawn, however, that truly show the group's power and comfort with each other (which, despite the personnel changes, seems to grow stronger with every album). In "Boy/Girl Tune," Mick McAuley's button accordion sends his bandmates into a musical fervor, which surges over and over again with no containment. A surprising end to this album is the Celtic revision of Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You." On this tune, Deirdre Scanlan's vocal strengths are apparent—although it would be hard not to get chills when listening to most good singers perform this haunting tune.
Most of Solas' power and energy comes from the comfort of playing together. With that in mind, Deirdre Scanlan should soon find her musical voice in this accomplished group of musicians. To get a taste of Solas' live energy, check out 1998's The Words That Remain or 1997's Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers, both featuring the ethereal singing of Karan Casey. Hopefully, Solas will recapture that live feel on its next album, and Scanlan will rise to the vocal standards set by Casey. For now, The Hour Before Dawn is good, but comes up just short.
by Angela Schachte
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