Crosswinds

by Capercaillie

Overview

On the band's debut album, you can hear Capercaillie mapping out what would become its signature sound -- a musical style built on a deep foundation of Celtic tradition but incorporating modern technology and dance-oriented rhythms. It's a fusion that makes purist folkies cringe, but Capercaillie has achieved significant success with it. Crosswinds is more traditional than the band's later efforts; although synthesized keyboards and distinctly non-Celtic percussion are used throughout, the album is dominated by sets of traditional dance tunes and songs like "My Lagan Love." If there's a complaint to be made at all, it's that the lustrous voice of Karen Matheson is too rarely placed front and center. She opens the album with a lovely piece of puirt a beul (a rhythmic singing style used in Scotland to accompany dancing), and practically steals the show with her rendition of the gorgeous "Soraidh Bhuam Gu Barraidh." The instrumentals are also excellent, but not quite as distinctive as her singing -- strangely, the funk basslines that play such an important part in Capercaillie's musical strategy are kept far back in the mix. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	01/05/1993
Label:	Green Linnet
UPC:	0048248107723
Rank:	92110

Tracks

1. Puirt a Beul/Snug in a Blanket
2. Soraidh Bhuam Gu Barraidh
3. Glen Orchy/Rory MacLeod
4. Am Buchaille Ban
5. The Haggis
6. Brenda Stubbert's Set
7. Ma Theid Mise Tuilleagh
8. David Glen's
9. Urnaigh a 'Bhan-Thigreach
10. My Laggan Love/Fox on the Town
11. An Ribhinn Donn

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Capercaillie   Primary Artist
Donald Shaw   Accordion,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Marc Duff   Bouzouki,Recorder,Whistle (Human),Vocals (Background),Whistle (Instrument)
Martin MacLeod   Bass,Fiddle,Vocals (Background)
Shaun Craig   Guitar,Bouzouki,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Charlie McKerron   Fiddle,Vocals (Background)
Karen Matheson   Vocals

Technical Credits

Capercaillie   Concept,Composer,Producer
Tony Cousins   Mastering
Traditional   Composer
Brian Young   Engineer