How To Get Into Seven Nations..., 6 albums to choose from...what to buy?

[Taliesin]

Seven Nations is probably my favorite Celtic Fusion Rock Band out there, and I've heard a lot of them thanks to Highlander Radio. This guide is to give you an idea of what to expect from Seven Nations and their various albums. Of course, please keep in mind that this is one listener's opinion, and your results may vary.

First off, allow me to say that they have released many more than 6 albums. To my knowledge, they have released a total of 11 albums, 6 of which are currently available. Around the time they started making major changes to their music, they stopped making and selling their older, more traditional-oriented stuff. In this article, I will detail what to expect from the albums that you can still purchase.

The Factory - This is their oldest album available at this time. I saw it available for purchase on Amazon.com. This album still has tons of their traditional roots in it, but features a lot more original compositions. This is a nice overall album, but to my ear, just doesn't have what it takes to be a truly great Seven Nations album. One song that really shines on this album however, is the great slow one, Twelve. Twelve really features a wonderful, if not very complex, counter-melody by Dan Stacey, the group's Fiddler. A good album, but in my opinion, not one of their best, though it has some real gems on it.

The Pictou Sessions - Sadly, I do not have this album yet. Hearing 7N acoustic would be nice, though a lot of the songs on this album can be heard on their other albums. If anyone owns or has listened to this album, please feel free to let us know what it's like!

Seven Nations - I personally think they released this album to pacify the fans who were still clamoring for their older stuff, which they were no longer selling. This album is the only place you can listen to some of their older stuff on a studio recording that is currently available. However, one thing that really disappointed me about this album was that the lead singer, Kirk did some vocal rasps that I really didn't like. Kirk's multi-octave, clear voice is one of the best things about Seven Nations, and this album sort of forgot that. This album is a great second album to get from Seven Nations, but isn't the best way to hear their classic traditional-based music.

Live at the Palace Theater - This album is absolutely amazing! One of the things about Seven Nations that I truly like is their energy and enthusiasm when you see/hear them live. They are ALWAYS a lot of fun, playing both old and new tunes to delight their fans. In the last concert I went to, they actually re-learned one of their oldest tunes because the bartender requested it before the show. This album captures that spirit of their music quite well. On this album they play a LOT of their old stuff, and some of their new stuff as well. The mixing on this album isn't bad, either, for a live recording. If I had to pick a definitive Classic Seven Nations album to get someone interested in the guys, I would most definitely pick this one. Dan's fiddling, Scott's piping, and Kirk's singing really come through well, and all of those factors combined with a great step-dancing solo by Dan (tap shoes miked!) make this album a must-have for anyone wanting to buy a Seven Nations album.

...And Now It's Come to This - This album has been received with mixed reviews. Most of the trad-lovers who have given this album a listen, myself included, have stated that they really miss the Celtic Sound they had come to know and expect from the guys. However, if you don't expect this album to be what it is not, then you will not be disappointed. A couple of the tunes sound vaguely Celtic, whereas the rest of them rock fairly solidly! All of the tunes have either the fiddle or the bagpipe, or both, but they do not take center stage all the time. More often, the instruments are used with effects to attain the desired sound that fits in the background with the rest of the music really well. We must not criticise this album for what it does not attempt to be, however. While Seven Nations fans come to love the band for its renderings of Celtic-sounding songs, they have taken their music in another direction for this album, and it's not really a bad one. It's just not very Celtic. I realize that I am typing this on a Celtic board, and the people reading this are looking for Celtic music. Because of that, I will say this: This is an excellent ROCK album. They do a great job at adding bagpipes and fiddle to rock, but just because a song has bagpipe and/or fiddle does not make it Celtic. Because of that, I do not recommend this album to anyone wanting to get into the Celtic side of Seven Nations. However, if you also like rock, and are expecting a cool rock album, then this album is great. It is easily one of my favorite CD's, but I do not listen to it when I want to listen to Celtic Music.

Christmas Album - I know nothing about this album, and before this week, I didn't even know they did a Christmas album. I would lvoe to hear it, however, and I hope Paul is considering playing this during December.

Finally, I'd like to say that Seven Nations released some awesome albums before these, and if you can get your hands on them, I highly recommend them. My favorite for Celtic Fusion is Big Dog. It is awesome! Secondly, I would recommend getting Road Kill I and Road Kill II. These are their first live albums, and they also capture the great fun of a Seven Nations concert. The unfamiliar voice you will find on these older recordings is 7N's old piper, Neil Anderson. He left the band after the Road Kill albums, presumably over creative differences with lead singer Kirk McLeod over the direction of the band. I don't know the details, but Seven Nations lost a FINE piper. His replacement is good too, but sadly, I don't think Scott has the chops that Neil had. Neil was a lot of fun, and his quirky sense of humor shines on the Road Kill albums. I saw him live with the band once, and I miss his awesome piping and whistling. Old Ground is a cool album as well, and Rain and Thunder is an excellent more trad-oriented album.

These are the 7N albums I know of, released in the order I THINK they were released. I might be wrong about when Rain and Thunder was released, but it's approximate.

Rain and Thunder
Old Ground
Big Dog
Road Kill I
Road Kill II
The Factory *
The Pictou Sessions *
Seven Nations *
Live at the Palace Theater*
Christmas Album *
...And Now It's Come to This *

* Now available.

Hope this helps anyone wanting to get into Seven Nations!

-Chris

[Annabelle]

Thanks Chris. I have known 7N for over 8 years. They played Stone Mt Games in Atlanta and the band was friends with the Douglas Clan. It has been years since I heard them but will be at their concert in Dunedin Fla. Hopefully I'll be able to bring back a CD or two for Mac to use in Drawings.

Chris do you have any questions in particular you want asked while Egan and I are down there?

Let us knnow on this thread!
Thanks for the great write up!!!

Annabelle

[Taliesin]

I met them when they were playing the Fillmore in San Francisco. Awesome guys. And actually, I do have a question for them!

When are they ever going to get back to the Pleasanton Highland Games in CA??? That's where I first heard of them, but they haven't been there in like 3 or 4 years. We would love the chance to see them there again!

-Chris

[Annabelle]

Yea Chriis I will be sure to ask for you!

Anyone or anything else?


Also you brought up the great piper "Neil Anderson". I meet Neil at the Clan Douglas tent back in mid-90's. His music was awesome. His new group is called "Fusion".

You can catch Neil in his new group at: http://www.antipypr.com/


I'll bring ya back lots of pictures!

Annabelle

[Taliesin]

I've been wanting to listen to "The Antipypr's" stuff for a long time, but I'm not as adventurous as I once was. It's hard for me to shell out the money without knowing anything about his sound. Ooo...I wonder if Paul could get some of his stuff on CR. Maybe it's already there and I missed it!!! Anyway...

I think that's it for questions of the boys. Be sure to thank them for their music from one of their many fans in California! It's always a treat to hear/see them live.

-Chris

[Spradley]

Hey Annabelle, can you ask the guys if they are ever playing the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Festival in Estes Park again. They played it several years ago and the jam session they had with Clandestine was incredible. They played well into the night and next morning. I still see them whenever they come to Colorado, but I miss seeing them at the festival.

Thank you