Don’t know if you’ve caught on yet - but I’m a Great Big Fan of Great Big Sea and I have all 6 of their albums and I can’t wait until they churn out their next one. I’ve seen them twice in concert and I hope to see them, again, this August. (A crazed fan can hope, can’t she?) We’ll see what happens.

Now, those of you who aren’t familiar - Great Big Sea is a Celtic rock band from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada and comprised of 4 brilliant men: Alan Doyle, Séan McCann, Bob Hallett and Darrell Power. They take many traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, putting their own spin on the songs, as well as write their own beautiful material. They are incredibly talented and put on great live shows. Of course, not all of us can get to see Great Big Sea as many times as we’d like, so what’s the next best thing? Road Rage!

With a total of 19 songs, this is the longest GBS album so far - and all with some of their most popular songs. Many of them are energetic and almost rowdy - with the GBS fans singing right along with even more energy that you can feel. The live recordings remind me of all the fun I had at the GBS concerts, and really reflect just how fun the guys are. The bits in between songs are sometimes funny, too, as they make comments about the songs, rouse the crowd during their music intros, or just goof around on stage.

Donkey Riding
Originally found on Play (3rd album)
The first offering on the album, and starts with the riotous crowd-cheering as the opening violin notes play. The audience claps in time with the guys as they sing and it is an incredible energy surge, which is a fabulous first song. Most of this song is a cappella (save that of Séan’s powerful bodhrán playing) and highlights their strong voices and beautiful, harmonic blends.

When I’m Up
Originally found on Play
GBS fans have lungs!!!! Another upbeat tune with audience enthusiasm, but respected silence during Alan Doyle’s verses. During the choruses, however, you couldn’t stop the crowd from singing/screaming/cheering if your life depended on it! Near the end of the song, the guys let the audience take over the chorus - which has it’s good and bad points, but I’ve decided I like the participation and thrill of the audience. There’s just something about that energy....

Everything Shines
Originally from the band, The Push Stars
I don’t know what the Push Stars’ version of this song is, but I adore Great Big Sea’s. Another upbeat song (naturally), but just as the previous song was so audience-filled...this song doesn’t feel like a live performance and it is only near the end where you hear the audience applaud. This particular song was taped in Windsor, Ontario...didn’t know they were so quiet...!

Goin Up
Originally found on Up (2nd album)
This one starts with Alan encouraging the crowd to sing along - giving them direction as well! :) Non-stop energy with this song as well. It’s a little more sedated throughout the song (but you wouldn’t think that if you heard the crowd screaming at the end).

Boston and St.John’s
Originally found on Turn (5th album)
The first of the calmer songs, straight from Alan Doyle’s beautiful lips! A ballad and, written by Alan, he gives a sweet introduction to it. Of course, the audience is subdued and reserve their cheering for select spots. With emotional lyrics and Alan’s great voice, how can any woman not melt?????

The Night Pat Murphy Died
Originally found on Play
Séan McCann starts off this traditional song, singing, The night that Paddy Murphy died is a night I’ll never forget. Some of the boys got loaded drunk... (letting the audience fill in the remainder of the line, “And they ain’t got sober yet!”) and then the house goes wild! We’re back, having fun with the guys and listening to Bob Hallett’s accordion-playing - and he does rock with an accordion. Don’t you think he can’t!

Consequence Free
Originally found on Turn
This is one of my favourite songs (well, all of them are, really) for the positive message, for the fun music and the powerful energy the audience exerts - if only on that one line, Wouldn’t it be great if the band just never ended? However, overall, I prefer the regular recording being that Alan and the guys seem a little exhausted, here, but their vocals are still great!

Captain Wedderburn
Originally found on Turn
The variation on this is the introduction of Sara Harmer - another singer/songwriter from Canada. She has a beautiful and folksy sound to her, and I hope to look up more information (and possibly a sound file or two) on her. This is another ballad - soft and sweet - and the harmonies are fantastic. I think I prefer this version to the original.

The Old Black Rum
Originally found on Up
The audience doesn’t even let Alan start this song. All he has to do is say “George Street” and the crowd already chimes in with the chorus! The boys stir up more energy on this song and the choruses are given to the incredibly vocal audience.

General Taylor
Originally found on Play
My absolute favourite song, and completely a cappella - where the live recording is as powerful and amazing as it is in person. Their voices are beautifully blended and rich, and the lyrics put that ache into your heart. The chorus of this song (where the strongest harmonies are) is worth buying this album for. Séan McCann’s singing of this song is worth buying this album for.

Lukey
Originally found on Up
Alan starts this song in the most hilarious way...introducing Séan as he gives the boys a solid beat upon his bodhrán. Darrell starts up with the bass and Alan actually raps - I nearly died laughing. It’s so cute - but it juices up the audience and they clap along and the song coasts through until the end. Originally, this song doesn’t have the harder edge it does on this album and I think this album’s recording of it is an improvement. There’s more strength in this song and I enjoy it more.

Feel It Turn
Originally found on Turn
Another ballad, and uplifting in lyrics - this is another great song to hear the excellent harmony between the boys. There lies their strength; where they can harmonize, showing off their own talents and complimenting each other as a group.

I’m a Rover
Originally found on Turn
With a great beat you can’t help but to clap along with, this tune may be rowdy - but at least a few notches down from the rest of the previous songs. A definite breather, with a cute dedication at the end of the song.

Fast as I Can
Originally found on Up
Gratefully, a slower song to wind down with (thanks be to Alan’s heart-breaking lyrics). As in previous songs, this shows off more of the beautiful GBS harmony. (But be warned - there’s many a woman screaming at the end of this song...be sure to turn down your players!!!)

Jack Hinks
Originally found on Turn
Having the same energy level of I’m a Rover, there isn’t anything particularly different about it from other recordings. This isn’t a bad thing, though. If you’re not getting tired from all the jumping about and adrenaline pumping through your veins - you’d better conserve what energy you have because the next song’s a doozie...

Mari Mac
Originally found on Up
Okay, I’m about ready to fall down dead by this time - naturally, I’m listening to this album as I type this review - because the speed and fervor of this song is one of the fastest on the entire album, out of all the songs GBS sings - even faster than their rendition of It’s The End of the World As We Know It... (found on their American album, Rant and Roar and listed as End of the World) They spit out these lyrics so rapidly, only by learning the song could you keep up. Although, this is another one of my all-time favourites.

Ordinary Day
Originally found on Play
This version, I’m more conscious of the presence of the different instruments and they sound great. The lyrics are - again, everyone? You know the word - upbeat and the ad-libbing rouses the crowd even more. Other than that, this is just as good as the original.

Excursion Around the Bay
Originally found on Great Big Sea (1st album)
I was surprised to hear this song, but definitely happy. “Upbeat” is word here, another a cappella offering, with the audience participation.

Hangin Johnny
Traditional (new on the album)
Finally, a slower song - a cappella, and with the oddest of subjects, but it is a traditional song, so after a while, you get used to it....well, maybe...! There’s a lot of humour in this one, too - it could be overlooked because of its strangness, but it’s definitely a neat song...worth a few big smiles.

So, there you have it - Road Rage, the latest album by the talented Great Big Sea. For hardcore GBS fans, you probably already have this album and for people interested in adrenaline-injected Celtic music, but have never heard of GBS - this would be a great introduction to their wonderful talents and style.

The Official Great Big Sea Website:
http://www.greatbigsea.com/

It has some great song samples, but be patient as it loads up if you have a slow modem!

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House