Great Big Sea › Something Beautiful

Great Big Sea: Ala Doyle (vocals guitar, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin); Sean McCann (vocals, guitar, bodhran, percussion); Bob Hallett (vocals, banjo, bouzouki, mandola, fiddle, whistle, pipes, accordion, concertina).

Recorded at Great Big Studio, St. John's Newfoundland and Broadcast Lane Studios, Toronto, Canada.

Personnel: Bob Hallett (vocals, whistling, banjo, bouzouki, mandola, fiddle, pipe, accordion, concertina); Alan Doyle (vocals, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin); S?an McCann (vocals, guitar, bodhran, percussion); Michael Phillip Wojewoda (vocals, keyboards, percussion); Murray Foster (vocals); Kris MacFarlane (guitar, drums, percussion); Patch Boyle (trumpet); Andrew Cooper (trombone); Chris Stringer (keyboards, percussion).

Recording information: Broadcast Lane Studio, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Great Big Studio, St. John's, Newfoundland.

Photographer: Dustin Rabin.

Arranger: Great Big Sea.

On Something Beautiful, Great Big Sea starts putting more emphasis on the "rock" in folk-rock, and the results are impressive. The departure of bassist Darrell Power led the remaining three founding members to add bassist Murray Foster (of Moxy Fr?vous) and drummer Kris MacFarlane to their lineup for these recording sessions, and the resulting sound is more muscular than has been typical of their studio work in the past: "Shines Right Through Me" and "When I Am King" are both straight-up rockers that open the program with a bang, and there is also a fine cover version of Runrig's "Pride of the Summer" (here titled "Beat the Drum") as well as a gorgeous rendition of the traditional "John Barbour." Great Big Sea's vocal approach is as charmingly plainspoken as ever, though the vocal harmonies are a bit more intricate on this album than before, perhaps thanks to Foster's presence. The album ends with a joyful set of dance tunes, "Heel and Toe Polka" and "Around the House." Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

Genre:

• World

Music Categories:

• International: Celtic