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Customer Reviews of Solas: Live

A Real Tribute to the Old Solas Crew
Do you remember when the cutting edge of Irish Music was the Bothy Band, then the Chieftains, then Altan, then Solas? I do. When no one else was ready to jump into fast and furious reelin' of the reels, there was Solas. I remember when the old world attitude had its nose stuck up against the Newry Highwayman, as the story is about a poor lad "a-robbin'along the King's highway" on the border to Northern Ireland. Perish the thought he could have been a Protestant Brit. Or how about a "wind amongst the barley" promoting Protestant and Catholic late 1700's collaboration in rebellion against England? The only thing Seamus Eagan can't play is all of his instruments ( flute, tenor banjo, octave mandolin) at the same time. He has been for decades and still is a major force within Celtic Music. If you are only playing guitar, hope that you play it like John Doyle. John is among the very best back up, lead and counterpoint guitar players in Traditional Irish Music. If you are only playing fiddle, hope you can play it like Winifred Horan, an all-Ireland Champion. Then you hear the joke about the Irishman who had a hip replacement and had the bone saved for his dog. Times have changed since the lovely Karen Casey has moved on with her own career. The remaining group has had to find itself again. The group has been the main support for Liz Carroll's acclaimed
album "Lost in the Loop" and award winning "Lake Effect." I sincerely hope this continues, as these are excellent albums. I especially like John Doyle and Liz Carroll's collaboration between guitar and fiddle. No matter what the future holds, there is no better tribute to an era of fine Celtic music that can be offered than this DVD of a live performance before long time New England fans. No gimmicks, special effects or lighting. Just the old crew (with the exception of John Shortridge on accordian)up close and personal with both interviews and music. Solas has been a pioneer with the music, and it is fitting that they are among the first to move the music into the DVD format.

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Fine musicians but the production is quite weak
There are only a few DVDs offering music and/or dance performances in the celtic genre. If you must have them all, get this one too. But, I found the production quality of this one to be rather mediocre. This is a good band that plays well but does not, at least on this offering, seem to have the interaction with the audience that adds the extra energy that make live performances so appealing when compared to studio produced music. As well, the video quality seems fuzzy and the length is too short to really exploit and display the talent of the individual members. Winifred Horan's musical "range" is one delight that captured me. She can play like Eileen Ivers pure energy or change to Martin Fay's (of the Chieftains) more classical style without you sensing that the same fiddler is still on stage. This is the happy surprize of this video. My editoral comment is that SOLAS needs to expand it's size, play more instruments and concentrate on it's "personality" before it's next DVD production.

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The Best
This is what a music DVD is all about -no fancy lighting, no pyrotechnics -just great musicianship.This is Solas at their peak -from the vocals of departed member Karen Casey to the fantastic guitar playing of John Doyle (now left to pursue other avenues)it is a tour de force in Irish/American music.I don't know how the new line-up will compare -but buy this DVD now and see and hear how a group at it's best sound.