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Great Big Sea - Rant and Roar Audio CD

A fair review of the Great Big Sea "Rant and Roar" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Great Big Sea reviews here, or go back to the Great Big Sea tabs.

Great Big Sea Band: Great Big Sea
Title: Rant and Roar
Rating:
Release Date: 1998-06-02
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Ordinary Day 2: When I'm Up 3: Mari-Mac 4: It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 5: Fast as I Can 6: Night Pat Murphy Died 7: Goin Up 8: General Taylor 9: Dancing With Mrs. White 10: Something to It 11: Lukey 12: Old Black Rum 13: Rant and Roar 14: Jolly Beggarman

Rant & Roar
I came across Great Big Sea playing a festival in their native Newfoundland. I became acquainted with GBS over a decade ago when our cable use to carry MuchMusic. I was hooked immediately.

Their playing was tight and upbeat. I can't say their style was original, as it is basically celtic drinking/folk music. The style has been around for a century or two - just hardly done by anyone under 60 playing in a pub somewhere.

'Rant and Roar' is their first U. S. release - which is basically a collection of their first few Canadian disks. And what a fun collection it is.

The set starts with probably the two most accessible tracks ("Ordinary Day" and "When I'm Up") - which would have been perfect for US radio, but it was not to happen. I guess it's the most accessible they can be with fiddle and penny whistle. I find these two very infectious.

But the next song is my favourite on the disk. "Mari Mac" is a two and one-half minute ditty that is an exercise in vocal theatrics. . . . . and in just out and out breathing techniques for a singer. Any singer!! I am totally fascinated by it.

I don't think it is any accident that the album sequencing goes right into R. E. M. 's "It's the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)", as that itself has always been too many words in too short of a time or measure of music.

GBS does slow it down a bit with a number of tunes - "Fast As I Can" and "Something to It". But they have some much more traditional stuff to - "General Taylor", the instrumental "Dancing with Mrs. White" and "The Day Paddy Murphy Died".

I can see where not many would embrace this. It is fun for me - and like it or not, I don't think anyone could deny how talented the guys in the band are.

You might not like an entire disk, but you might want to scan iTunes and sample some tracks - and even purchase them.


Worth Hearing
Compilation of their first two Canadian studio albums. Good introduction to "Canada's House Band". Also recommend "Road Rage" (live). .


Hidden Track
Very fun and funny track for fans of GBS. there's a hidden track on here that my friend had never heard before who has seen them live.


Just the tip of the iceberg but a good place to start...
If you really want to know what these guys are all about. . see them live when they come to your area. . . this is a compilation for the US of their second & third Canadian releases, and is just a taste of what they do. Road Rage, their live CD. . . or the Great Big DVD & CD is an even better representation of these fun loving Newfoundlanders. I've been to four of their live shows in the Burlington VT area since 2002 and I'm ready to see them again when they come to Lebanon NH in the fall of '06. Live in concert is the way to truly experience these guys. They love what they do and it shows. If you can't get to one of their shows, at the very least, get this and then the live albums, and by all means, keep going till you have them all (there are eight). Alan Doyle, their lead singer, puts it this way: "We're not a band you come to see or hear. Great Big Sea is something you do. " Audience participation only gets them going even more, and it's impossible not to get caught up into it. Whoever said they were "annoying and cloying after a few listens" needs to learn how to cut loose and have a great time. These guys are the real deal!.


"Got The Sun And The Sky, All The Water Surrounds Me!"
Order a pint of 'screech' and relax, the music is about to begin. Come in, take off your hat and coat and grab a seat near the fire. Welcome to Newfoundland!

'Rant And Roar' is a fun, rollicking CD by the Great Big Sea, four native Newfoundlanders who draw their inspiration and music from a unique and rich cultural heritage. English, Irish, Scottish, French and who knows what else come together with a flair that reminds us all of what the "Old World" was like in simplier times.

Though I'm not a native Newfoundlander I have spent numerous summer's there visiting the maternal side of my family. In my youth I've walked up and down Saint John's fishing docks listening to my Grandfather barter in Portugese with fisherman for the best price on the catch of the day and watched the icebergs float by while standing atop Cabot's Tower on the hillside overlooking Saint John's Harbor. All the pleasant memories of the time I've spent there is embodied in this wonderful music. Come with me to other time, another place and sing the type of songs your Grandparents sang. Songs of love, songs of life, songs for drinking and a dirge or two thrown in for good measure. Just be sure to bring your stomping shoes if you got any!

My Highest Recomendation!!.


You can see a complete list of all Great Big Sea discography, or go back to the Great Big Sea tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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