Great Big Sea Albums (11)
'Fortune's Favour'
Release Date 6/24/2008
Tracks 14
Label Great Big Sea
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Courage and Patience and Grit: In Concert'
Release Date 11/21/2006
Tracks 52
Label Zoe
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Courage and Patience and Grit: In Concert is a specially priced two-disc collection of live recordings and concert footage from the popular Canadian Celtic pop supergroup. Featuring fan favorites like "Captain Kidd," "Jack Hinks," "Ordinary Day," and "General Taylor," the 22-track concert disc and accompanying 30-track DVD are a treasure trove of rousing Great Big Sea highlights and music videos that dutifully illuminate one of the Great White North's most enduring and original homegrown acts. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
'The Hard and the Easy'
Release Date 10/11/2005
Tracks 13
Label Rounder
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
If you think you've figured out Great Big Sea's formula, you're right: take sea shanties, fishing songs, and the odd original tune that sounds like a folk song and deliver them all with lusty energy on acoustic instruments. If the Pogues had come from Newfoundland and treated alcohol as a peripheral rather than a central concern, and if their singer were big and burly rather than dissolute and disgusting, you'd have something very much like Great Big Sea. That formula has been pretty consistent over the preceding 13 years, so how much you'll enjoy their ninth album will depend largely on how much you enjoyed their first eight, although there is a difference: this one relies less on fishing and seafaring songs and more on songs that reflect other traditional concerns of the Newfoundlanders, such as lumbering, adultery, and, er, counting. OK, most of them are still about fishing and seafaring. And there's nothing wrong with that. "Captain Kidd" may be familiar, but they deliver it with such gusto that it sounds new again; "Come and I Will Sing You (The Twelve Apostles)" is a fun counting song that apparently has its roots in medieval Europe, and "Graceful & Charming (Sweet Forget Me Not)" is as touching a sentimental ballad as you're ever likely to hear. Alan Doyle's voice is as regular-guy mediocre as ever, but the trio's harmonies still roar attractively and they play with infectious glee. The package includes a DVD with interview footage, some back-porch jamming, and what looks like a sort of community hall get-together. Very nice. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On Something Beautiful, Great Big Sea starts putting more emphasis on the "rock" in folk-rock, and the results are impressive. The departure of bassist Darrell Power led the remaining three founding members to add bassist Murray Foster (of Moxy Früvous) and drummer Kris MacFarlane to their lineup for these recording sessions, and the resulting sound is more muscular than has been typical of their studio work in the past: "Shines Right Through Me" and "When I Am King" are both straight-up rockers that open the program with a bang, and there is also a fine cover version of Runrig's "Pride of the Summer" (here titled "Beat the Drum") as well as a gorgeous rendition of the traditional "John Barbour." Great Big Sea's vocal approach is as charmingly plainspoken as ever, though the vocal harmonies are a bit more intricate on this album than before, perhaps thanks to Foster's presence. The album ends with a joyful set of dance tunes, "Heel and Toe Polka" and "Around the House." Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Another attempt at combining traditional and pop musics with skillful handlings of Celtic instrumentation and mainstream rock songcrafting. Nevertheless, Great Big Sea's sound has begun develop a staleness here due to each new album's thematic and sonic similarities. The album runs the gamut of tempos, from ballads to rollicking chanteys, and it's closing track, "Fortune," is an energetic reel in the manner of crowd-pleaser "Mari-Mac." ~ Travis Drageset, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The ascent of Celtic-based folk music in Canada is probably one of the biggest left-field phenomena around, and Road Rage proves just how far it has risen. At one point, a live album of traditional Newfoundland would have consisted of impeccable musicianship and polite but relatively subdued audience response. On Road Rage, there's plenty of instrumental skill in evidence, but the reception being given by the mostly younger crowd is almost what you'd expect for the biggest stars in the land. In a way, that's exactly what Great Big Sea is -- the other artists moving tons of records are working in an international pop medium (with heavy leanings to the U.S. market), but traditional Newfoundland music is one of the few truly Canadian sounds available. When they're not cheering, the appreciative crowd sings along with almost every song like they're anthems. Musically speaking, there are not a lot of surprises here, but the band certainly has talented musicians, and if you can put up with the crowd noise it's not a bad approximation of a greatest-hits collection. ~ Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The pride of Newfoundland, Great Big Sea are a great big deal in Canada and as of 1997 have made inroads into pockets of Europe. With their third album, is the time is right to make their presence known elsewhere? Play has all the makings of a breakthrough album. It is superbly produced by Danny Greenspoon, who successfully combines the traditional maritime and Celtic music of Newfoundland with modern rock tendencies. It is chock full of catchy folk-rock anthems, and has major-label affiliation; plus, worldwide interest in Celtic rock has grown immensely throughout the '90s and into the new millennium. Some may scoff or roll their eyes at the notion, but GBS, with their strong lead vocals, calculated harmonies, and regional yet universally identifiable themes, musters up idle speculation as to how a modern-day Dubliners might manifest themselves. Great Big Sea proves that they are fully capable of creating intelligent hook-abundant songs like "Seagulls," "My Apology" and "Something I Should Know," but their forte definitely lies in the reworking and modernizing of Newfoundland folk songs. The rollicking "Night Pat Murphy Died" features some fine accordion playing by Bob Hallett and boisterous vocals by all. Those wonderful harmonies steal the show on "Donkey Riding," which tells of the unenviable task of manhandling winches, ropes and chains aboard sailing ships in all types of weather. The a cappella "General Taylor" contains a marvelous but uncredited bass vocal line, and "Jakey's Gin" is a roguish, Pogues-like ditty; all infectious as the dickens. Amid the exceptional selection of original and traditional songs, GBS found room to cover cuts by R.E.M. and Oysterband. Fans of the latter will love this album. ~ Dave Sleger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Turn is Great Big Sea's third major label release, and the band's third one-word titled CD (following 1995's Up and 1997's Play). Along with the similarity of titles there is a similarity of music. This CD differs very little from the group's past releases. Great Big Sea continues to produce energetic, rock-flavored Celtic music, almost a cross between Spirit of the West and Weddings, Parties, Anything. In fact, the only change noticeable on this CD is that the band seems to sound more like Spirit of the West. Perhaps this is the influence of using Steve Berlin as a co-producer this time around instead of Danny Greenspoon, who was used on previous releases. One would think that Berlin would add a rougher edge to the music; however, the opposite is true. The assistance of the Chieftains also contributes to the well-defined Celtic sound. As usual, the traditional East Coast maritime folk songs are here -- the cover version of "Old Brown's Daughter" using Ron Hynes' tune instead of the traditional tune is breathtaking -- and the interpretations are always entertaining. The band also writes its own material, which differs little from other releases. Overall, the CD is good; the music is well-played and the band sounds great. The only problem is that Great Big Sea has not grown very much over the past few years. In this sense, fans will not be disappointed, but casual listeners will have a hard time distinguishing this CD from any of the band's other releases. ~ Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Although Great Big Sea initially started out as a fairly traditional Newfoundland outfit, Up shows the band adding more rock muscle to the fiddles and accordions. It's still a pretty traditional sound by most standards, with jigs and reels galore, but it allows the band to do a revved-up cover of Slade's "Run Runaway" and make it appealing to both the traditionalist and the rock fan. There's everything you'd expect from a bunch of young Maritime musicians from Canada: a good dose of Celtic, songs about the sea and about drinking, a good dose of fun, but a healthy reverence for the musical tradition. "Mari-Mac," where the lyrics accelerate to a terrifying speed by the end, is worth the price of admission alone. ~ Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Essentially a compilation for the U.S. market, where the first three albums were unreleased, Rant and Roar samples tracks from the more commercially oriented second and third albums. While some great tracks are missing (notably a few from the first album), the songs included on this collection nevertheless provide a pretty representative and enjoyable retrospective. ~ Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
