Review by Adrianl
4 stars out of 4
Never in my life have I heard an irish traditional music album with such
depth and flowing talent, as I have heard with Lunasa's latest album,
entitled "Otherworld". This record delves into the mystery and beauty of
the sounds of Ireland, Past and present, from 18th century slow airs to
the exciting new sounds in todays irish traditional music scene. With
5 members altogether, all from different backgrounds, the ideas are
endless on this album. with instuments such as flutes, fiddles, uillean
pipes, classical guitars, bass guitars and keyboards, the different
genres of music they mix into old classical irish ballads, works like
a dream.
Even from first glancing at the album cover, the imagination and hard work
they had put into it, it is obviously clear. Compared to their live in
concert album, aptly entitled Lunasa, It shows how much they have
developed as a band, over the past 8 years, gone are the days when they
played each track at the same lunatic pace, showing off at how fast they
could play a tune. Now more mature, this album (released in 1999),
shows all sorts of emotions and moods throughout the record. One tune
that really sticks out in my head after I listened to the track for the
first time, is "January Snow", a slow air. This track starts off with
a simple opener on the concert flute, and as it progresses, it turns
into a classically influenced/ Irish traditional ballad that flows
fluently all the way through. Another tune is "Heaton Chapel" . A war
march that uses fiddles, uileann pipes, keyboards and flutes. A tune
that kicks ass all the way through to the end.
With no lyrics, I would advise anyone who is remotly intrestId in Irish
traditional music, to buy this record. All in all I think that this
record is an absoloute classic, and can only improve the standards of
irish music at home and abroad, Irish voice, a magazine, called this the
best irish album ever, and I must admit, I have to agree.
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