Steve McDonald - Sons of Somerled

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Music reviews of Sons of Somerled

Music Review: A dissenting voice crying out from the wilderness
Rating: 4 Stars

The tracks on SONS, in my opinion, describe a normal distribution curve. A couple are excellent, and a couple quite disappointing. Most are simply good. And this comes from one that has visited Scotland several times, and is also favorably disposed to the Celtic genre of music.

The very best selection on SONS is "Loch Lomond". This rendition of that "standard" is so good that it sent chills up my spine. Another excellent track, featuring a wonderful use of drums, is the title selection, "Sons of Somerled". Actually, the use of drums in several tracks is one of the CD's best features. Would that the use of bagpipes had been as notable. I love pipe music, and its relative absence was a source of keen displeasure. I mean, this is Scotland we're talking about here, not Iowa.

Now, regarding "Scotland the Brave". The first half of this version sounded like something one might hear in a church or an elevator. Puhleeze! It wasn't until the drums and pipes kicked in for the second half that I thought the piece was being done justice. As a matter of fact, this was the best combination of those two instruments on the entire disk.

"Come to the Isle of Skye"" was of particular annoyance. Skye is one of my most favorite places in Britain, and this lackluster, timid song doesn't begin to capture its misty, wild, stark beauty. It made my lips curl in scorn.

I've only mentioned four of the disk's tracks. The remainder were more or less satisfactory. "Wild Mountain Thyme", another "standard", was pleasantly done, as was "Live On My Warrior Son".

I'm always suspicious when a vocal artist needs the support of a particularly loud or elaborate orchestration, or a bunch of background vocalists whose contribution is prominent. This indicates, to me, that the lead artist can't cut it alone. A Celtic artist that can, and magnificently, is Loreena McKennitt. The lead artist on SONS, Steve McDonald, has yet to convincingly demonstrate to me the same level of talent. As I listen to the CD several more times, perhaps he and it will grow on me. However, it will never achieve 5-star status.

Description of Sons of Somerled

Folk CDs

• Music > Styles
• World Music
• New Age
• Pop
• Rock