The Blood Is Strong

Amazon.com essential recording
Collected from the soundtracks to three independent films which aired on British television, The Blood Is Strong shows Capercaillie at their most traditional. These 25 tracks, written expressly for the films (entitled The Blood Is Strong, A Prince Among Islands, and Highlanders), call forth images of a verdant land and a remarkably rich culture. The documentaries explore Scottish history and current events, and the Capercaillie sound befittingly blends both old-world tradition with current trend, while eschewing the New Age trappings which make their music less enjoyable for a host of purists and folk fans. For this very reason, The Blood Is Strong, steeped in bagpipes, Gaelic language, and Celtic stringed instrumentation, will likely appeal to the widest variety of Capercaillie listeners. Singer Karen Matheson, described by Sean Connery (who narrates the final of the three films) as in possession of a voice "surely touched by the hand of God," has never sounded more lovely or self-assured. --Paige La Grone

The Blood Is Strong,Capercaillie,Valley,Celtic,Celtic Pop,Celtic/Irish,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating:

The Blood Is Strong Capercaillie

My favorite Celtic album (so far!)

The highlands are calling

Certainly not their best.

An Interesting Addition

The Blood Is Strong
Capercaillie
Manufacturer: Valley
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004YLQ2
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

An Gille Ban
Domhnall (Black Donald)
An T-Eilean Mu Thuath
Fagail Bhernaraidh (Leaving Berneray)
The Lorn Theme
Gun Teann Mi Ris Na Ruinn Tha Seo (Remembrance)
Aignish
The Hebrides
Arrival Theme
Cumha Do Dh'Uilleam Siosal
Iona Theme
Oh Mo Dhuthaich
Calum's Road
Callinish, Picts, Celts
Fear A Bhata
Alasdair Mhic Colla
Dean Cadalan Samhach
Lordship Of The Isles
Grandfather Mountain
Arrival Reprise
An Ataireachd Ard
Colum Cille
'S Fhada Leam An Oidhehe Gheamhraidh
Downtown Toronto
Maideanan Na h-Airidh

Product Description

1. A Gille Ban
2. Domhnall giBlack Donald
3. A T-Eilean Mu Thuath
4. fagail Bhernaraidh giLeaving Berneray
5. The Lorn Theme
6. Gun Teann Mi Ris Na Ruinn Tha Seo giRemembrance
7. Aignish
8. The Hebrides
9. Arrival Theme
10. Cumha Do Dh'Uilleam Siosal
11. Iona Theme
12. Oh Mo Dhuthaich
13. Calum's Road
14. Callinish, Picts, Celts
15. Fear A Bhata
16. Alasdair Mhic Colla
17. Dean Cadalan Samhach
18. Lordship Of The Isles
19. Grandfather Mountain
20. Arrival Reprise
21. Ataireachd Ard
22. Colum Cille
23. 'S Fhada Leam An Oidhche Ghemraidh
24. Downtown Toronto
25. Maighdeanan Na H-Airidh

Format: CD

Amazon.com essential recording

Collected from the soundtracks to three independent films which aired on British television, The Blood Is Strong shows Capercaillie at their most traditional. These 25 tracks, written expressly for the films (entitled The Blood Is Strong, A Prince Among Islands, and Highlanders), call forth images of a verdant land and a remarkably rich culture. The documentaries explore Scottish history and current events, and the Capercaillie sound befittingly blends both old-world tradition with current trend, while eschewing the New Age trappings which make their music less enjoyable for a host of purists and folk fans. For this very reason, The Blood Is Strong, steeped in bagpipes, Gaelic language, and Celtic stringed instrumentation, will likely appeal to the widest variety of Capercaillie listeners. Singer Karen Matheson, described by Sean Connery (who narrates the final of the three films) as in possession of a voice "surely touched by the hand of God," has never sounded more lovely or self-assured. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

The Blood Is Strong Capercaillie.......2006-11-07

Celtic music at its best. Capercaillie is a fine example of mixing traditional music with a popular ensemble. We loved it!

My favorite Celtic album (so far!).......2006-07-08

I especially recommend tracks # 1, 3, 4, 7, 15, 19, 21, 23, and 25.

Indeed, as some have said, many of the songs and instrumentals don't have a traditional Celtic sound. Instead, these are more "mystical" in feeling - moody, meditative, spiritual.

My 5-star rating is for all the songs I love, not for the ones I don't like as much. Track 15 "Fear A Bhata" is worth the price of the album, IMO.

The highlands are calling.......2005-04-21

This is my favourite Capercaillie, even though the material is mainly original not traditional. I do love their renditions of traditional music, but some of their later original music was certainly not as good as this. The music here is inspired, fresh and unaffected.

The Blood Is Strong is the soundtrack to a beautiful 3-part documentary on life in the highlands and islands of Scotland, and the music is like a magic carpet that takes you right there (believe me I know, I travelled around Scotland for 3 months, visiting many places in the documentary). This is evocative, plaintive and joyful Celtic music that hits the spot every time. Karen Matheson's young voice mellowed later, but here it just soars.

This re-issue also includes a wonderful 4-track EP that Capercaillie made for a short documentary on the Prince of Wales visit to Scotland, and a couple more extra tracks.

Yes it's different from later albums but it's essential Capercaillie. I never tire of this album, and my copy is now autographed!

Certainly not their best........2004-07-07

This was the first Capercaille album I bought. I've since bought many others and love the band, not just Karen Matheson's vocals.

But this CD was a huge dissapointment. I'd heard some Capercaille songs on compilation CD's before I bought this, and chose this CD because it had a large number of tracks.

This is not the Capercaille I've grown to love. This CD isn't even what I'd call Celtic folk. There are about 3 or 4 decent songs on the album. But the rest are a mix of keyboards, synthesizers, and echoey voices. Strange, foreign, and altogether nothing like I expected.

If you are looking for a place to explore Gaelic folk music, I'll always recommend Capercaille. But try "From Dusk Till Dawn" instead. I also recommend the band Solas.

An Interesting Addition.......2002-12-14

Warning: THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER CAPERCAILLIE CD!!! This is, interestingly enough, the first one I bought, and it's wonderful; it managed to get me hooked on the band. But as a compilation of soundtracks, many of the tracks are short, transitional music; many are instrumental. The vocalised songs are nice, but showcase merely Karen's beautiful voice, not necessarily her magnificent talent. It's a wonderful addition to a complete Capercaillie collection, but not necessarily representative of the band's other offerings.