The Words That Remain

by Solas

Overview

The third album from the dynamic contemporary Celtic-folk band Solas is very consistent stylistically with their first two efforts, peppering traditional Irish folk songs, jigs, and reels with less conventional instrumentation. But if The Words That Remain sticks closely to the formula that brought immediate success to Solas and Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers, it also features a more eclectic song selection that demonstrates the flexibility of the band's distinctive sound. In addition to the expected Irish folk tunes (e.g., "I Am a Maid That Sleeps in Love" and "A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O") there are brisk and energetic covers of Woodie Guthrie's "Pastures of Plenty" and Peggy Seeger's acerbic activist ballad "Song of Choice." These songs invert the band's most significant accomplishment: having first invigorated Celtic music by adding elements of American folk and bluegrass, Solas has apparently turned to invigorating American folk by adding Celtic flair. As always, the production is slick and seamless, employing a seemingly bottomless bag of musical tricks that keep the proceedings lively and unpredictable throughout. The record also features impressive guest contributions by Canadian banjo master Bela Fleck and vocalist Iris de Ment. The Words That Remain does nothing to diminish Solas' standing, achieved within only three years of their debut, alongside the Chieftains and Altan as masters of an increasingly visible musical genre. ~ Evan Cater.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/1998
Label:	Shanachie
UPC:	0016351782328
Rank:	149080

Tracks

1. Pastures of Plenty
2. The Stride Set: The Stride/Tom Doherty's/The Contradiction/Viva Galicia
3. The Waking up Set: The Carillons/Waking up in Wonderful Wark/Chris Droneys
4. The Grey Selchie
5. Song of Choice
6. La Bruxa
7. I Am a Maid That Sleeps in Love
8. The Vega Set: The Banks of Lough Gowna/The Gaelic Club/Vega Mandolin
9. A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn ¿¿
10. Sproggies Set: Sproggies Reel/Up All Night/Weaving Dreams
11. The Beauty Spot: O'Dowds/The Beauty Spot/Jessie over the ...
12. Sr¿¿id an Chloig

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Solas   Primary Artist
Iris DeMent   Guest Artist,Vocals
Bela Fleck   Guest Artist,Banjo
Steve Holloway   Drums
Mick McAuley   Accordion,Concertina,Whistle (Human),Vocals
Winifred Horan   Fiddle,Vocals
Karan Casey   Vocals
Michael Aharon   Cello,Keyboards,Bass (Electric)
John Anthony   Drums,Djembe,Dumbek,Bodhran,Pandeiro
Seamus Egan   Pipe,Banjo,Flute,Guitar,Bodhran,Mandolin,Percussion,Whistle (Human)
John Doyle   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Chico Huff   Bass (Electric)

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Solas   Group,Arranger
Woody Guthrie   Composer
Winifred Horan   Composer
Charlie Lennon   Composer
John Spillane   Composer
Peggy Seeger   Composer
Michael Aharon   Arranger
Ed Reavy   Composer
John Spillance   Translation
Steve Byram   Design
Todd Bellinger   Assistant Engineer
Jai Hutcherson   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Bela Fleck   Arranger
John Anthony   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Jerry Holland   Composer
Seamus Egan   Composer,Producer
Karen Tweed   Composer
John Doyle   Composer
Mick McAuley   Composer