CAPERCAILLIE
Live in concert

SURCD 027


Survival
UK Regno Unito

 

For a band that began life as a traditional music outfit, CAPERCAILLIE has never been afraid of venturing into new musical terrain. Through twelve studio albums and countless "live" performances in over 30 countries, the group has continued to develop and hone their craft, adding distinctive, contemporary innovations to a traditional music-based repertoire.

If sales of their studio recordings have helped carry their music to an international audience - gaining them over one million album sales worldwide and one gold and two silver discs in the UK - it is their "live" performances that have reinforced a loyal fan base around the globe. Live In Concert finally captures the magic and energy of that stage set on CD. This, however, is no backward-looking 'greatest hits live' recording. The band continues to innovate and there is a definite new 'feel' - a new energy and vitality to this recording - which reflects a subtle shift in the band's overall sound.

The band chose the set list very carefully, featuring several previously unreleased titles and brand new arrangements of some of their best known material, including 'Coisich a Ruin', the song that charted as the UK's first Gaelic Top 40 single.

The all-star line up of the band is underpinned by the brilliant rhythm bedrock of ex-Deacon Blue bass player Ewen Vernal, new recruit Che Beresford on drums and the multi-percussion talents of David 'Chimp' Robertson. This trio provides the perfect foundation for underscoring the power and delicacy of Manus Lunny's bouzouki; the fire and energy of Charlie McKerron's fiddle; the dazzling skills on pipes, flutes and whistle of BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician Of The Year Michael McGoldrick; with Donald Shaw holding it all together on keyboards and accordion.

All of this glorious instrumental virtuosity is taken to transcendental heights by the peerless vocals of Karen Matheson, who has been described by Billboard magazine as 'the finest Gaelic singer alive today'.

Here then is Capercaillie "live in concert", continuing to explore new territory whilst preserving the rich musical tradition that is their heritage.

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