The Doc's Best Album
All the songs have some kind of feeling in them, and with a tune that everyone could at least enjoy a bit. With a small amount of albums in about twenty years, I was very happy to know that this is an amazing album. Some will like this more than others, and Irish people will most likely understand and enjoy the music more. Personally, I'm Irish, and I love the song "N17" because I know what the N17 really is and I know that the song is true. Others could be saying "what the heck is an N17?" So, if you enjoy rock, and if you're able to understand the lyrics, this is a bloody brilliant buy.
Sheer energy
Their live performances are sheer energy, even the ballads. If you ever had the pleasure of seeing the Saw Doctors perform, you know why their fans are so loyal. This CD is my all-time blues chaser, and these days I like to play it in my car when I need a shot of wake-up. It's a compilation album showing off their range of moods and I love every track.
"Green And Red Of Mayo" and "Clare Island" are ballads that will make you long for the "Old Country," no matter what your nationality. "To Win Just Once" and "Sing A Powerful Song" remind you that there's always reason to hope, whether it's politics or sport (County Galway is full of passion about both).
If you want a sad love song -- and if you're Irish, you surely do -- brace yourself and spin "Wake Up Sleeping. " Sentimental but not at all sappy, it's one of my favorite songs on the CD.
If you're looking for the wake-up I mentioned, you'll skip to "It Won't Be Tonight" ("The day that you were leavin', I promised that I'd write / but it won't be tonight"); or "What A Day. " For sheer fun, pick "I Useta Lover" ("I have fallen for another she can make her own way home / And even if she asked me now I'd let her go alone / I useta see her up the chapel when she went to Sunday mass / And when she'd go to receive, I'd kneel down there and watch her . . . pass"). Or the Irish punk "Macnas Parade" -- it rocks!
The Saw Doctors formed in 1986, playing local gigs in County Galway. Two of the original members are still in the picture -- Leo Moran and Davy Carton. Touring is a big part of their lives and if care for Irish rock music at all, by all means check out their tour dates. They put on a rousing show.
Linda Bulger, 2008.
Great way to meet the Sawdoctors
This is the second time I have purchased this cd. . and its even better the second time. It was like being with an old friend again and picking up exactly where you left off. I highly recommend it to anyone who has just been introduced to the Sawdoctors and wants to know the basics that made them the great band they are today.
Must Have!!!!
They quickyl became my favorite band and now I have all of their CD's. I "mistakenly" found the Saw Doctors when I downloaded one of their songs by mistake off the interent. This was the first one I bought and I highly recommend it to anyone that is just discovering the Saw Docs. Their isn't a bad song on the album. It shows the range of the Docs music from partying Irish pub ("Hay Wrap, I Useta Lover) to singing of the beauty of Ireland ("Green and Red of Mayo, Clare Island) to their great songs about love and relationships ("Share the Darkness, Wake Up Sleeping, Red Cortina). This is a great CD to start with. One you buy this one, you'll certainly get the rest.
One thing, to truly expreience the Docs, you have to see them live in concert. I brought my brother and friend to a show. They never heard a song by the Docs, but after the concert, they were hooked. See them live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Great Music, Pure and Simple
It has been said many times, but I really think that this is the order to do it in. I am so glad to have finally discovered the Saw Doctors, a band that I first heard at a multi-band concert and immediately thereafter sought recordings of. They are amazing and indescribably alive in concert, and while their recorded music can't sometimes quite capture this same essence, the fun, lively, and raw spirit of it shines through without fail. Especially on "Sing a Powerful Song. "
Wait, this all sounds WAY to serious. Sure, the songs very often have a deeper, more serious human truth to them, but this is FUN music for ReaL life. This album captures the simple but infectious energy of the Saw Doctors' music in a near-flawless compilation. (I usually LOATHE compilations, but I'm giving in to this one because many of their earlier albums were only released in the UK, and it's a bit pricey to track them down if you live in the US. ) Now let's see about some highlights:
#4, Macnas Parade: This is one of my very favorite songs EVER. Irish folk-rock meets PUNK. A truly great time.
#6, Hay Wrap: A SD's classic, I believe I have heard this described as "high energy agricultural rap. " And really, I guess that's what it is. Hilarious, earthy, interesting. . .
#7, N17: One of their first big hits, an honest, upbeat road-song, distinctly Irish (so I hear), unbelievably catchy chorus. . . envision being in a huge live crowd singing along. . .
#8, Exhilarating Sadness: It's a beautiful rock song, understated yet always full of energy.
#10, Clare Island: I usually have a dislike for ballad-style songs, but I love this one like nothing else. It's not sappy, maybe that's why. . . it's. . . funny. . . but sincere and lovely.
#11, To Win Just Once: great rock song, inspirational and true, but fun once you think MaYbE it could have to do with socc--um, football.
#14, Never Mind the Strangers: This feels very Irish, very real, great SD's classic.
#15, Why Do I Always Want You: I LOVE this song, it's the first I ever heard them play (live), and the lyrics are simple but it's just a GREAT song.
#17, I Useta Love Her: OK, the first big hit, fun, irreverant song about lust and Catholicism. Don't you love that?
Yup, a great collection of songs, guaranteed to make you HAPPY. I know that someday I'll break down and buy the individual albums, but for now this is the perfect collection.
You can see a complete list of all The Saw Doctors discography, or go back to the The Saw Doctors tabs
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