I’m going to be seeing Solas in concert September 24…I have all their albums and I love what they’ve done. I know the last couple albums have been a bit less traditional than the earlier 4 (though the latest album is more so than Edge of Silence, so perhaps they’re turning back a little?). Anyone seen them lately and have any idea what to expect? Are their later gigs more traditional or less so? I’m just curious. I plan to see them anyway (as I’m a great fan of Seamus Egan’s flute playing), but I just wanted a heads up on what to expect!
Typical Solas: highly produced sets, with accurate changes and a tight feeling with almost no improv.
And of course, Seamus is incredible. What he does on that little guitar of his is remarkable, then he picks up a lo-whistle or a flute…
The weak point (if I can be so bold) is their current female vocalist, who is not especially strong, and makes no other musical contributions. I’m not saying she is less than solid, she is a great singer, but there are greater singers who also play an instrument (or two) and/or bang on a goat.
I saw them about 6 weeks ago at the Celtic Arts Center in “LA”. They didn’t have the drum (set) player or the bass player with them. The tunes seemed to tend to the more traditional. Seamus played more tenor banjo than I remember on other tours the last few years, which was great. This was one of the more enjoyable permormances of Solas that I have attended. The Celtic Arts Center holds less than 100 people, so it was very intimate. The precision of the instrumentalists was incredible. They are playing in LA again on September 10, which will benefit the CAC to a certain extent. From the email notice I received:
SUPPORT THE CELTIC ARTS CENTER & DON’T MISS THE GREAT IRISH BAND…
Solas
in concert at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood!!!
THIS Friday, September 10th at 8P.M.
Also with Ken O’Malley and The Twilight Lords,
The ACS Celtic Choir, Cleary School of Irish dancers,
The Emerald Society Marching Band & more.
Thanks Eliot and Steve for your comments! It sounds like they’re fairly traditional again, which is what I’m hoping for. I’m really excited to see them. Did either of you (or anyone else) get a chance to talk to any of them after the show? Not sure what they’re like or if you get much of a chance to but I would very much like to tell them how much I enjoy their playing.
I spoke to Seamus Egan and a couple of others after the show at the Celtic Arts Center. I took a flute workshop from S. Egan at the Summer Solstice Festival many years ago, and I reminded him of that. It was at that workshop that I learned of Olwell flutes, and I immediatly ordered one. I thanked him for that.