Horslips
Subir Sinha
i would like to ask those into folk-prog to provide reviews of albums by the
band Horslips; a local store has the entire catalogue, and while i have liked
what i have heard about the band, i haven't heard anything by them. i like
fairport, steeleye span, albion band, lindisfarne and such bands.
thanks in advance,
subir
Ken Lang
Horslips, eh ?? Great band ! I have their first album on CD, "Happy to
Meet, Sorry to Part" and it is firmly in the folk-rock category, similar
to Steeleye Span and Jethro Tull to a certain extent. Lots of traditional
sounding music with flute playing a large part in the music.
I also have "Book of Invasions : A Celtic Symphony" and is one of my
favorites. This one is more rock oriented with the addition of trumpet on
some songs. Its supposed to be a concept album, but I still don't
understand the concept. There are some great songs on here "Trouble with a
Capital T", "Sword of Light", etc.. I highly recommend this one to anyone
looking to check out Horslips.
We now jump to late period Horslips with "Aliens" and "the Man Who Built
America", both concept albums about Irish immigrating to America. Of the
two, I like "Aliens" much better. There isn't a bad song on the album.
Again, the music is closer to rock with a folk influence, comparable to
the Waterboys / Fisherman's Blues or Jethro Tull / Songs from the Wood.
On the other hand, "The Man Who Built America" is rather weak, and after
several years I still have not been able to listen to this one all the way
through. Bo-o-o-o-ring !
Finally, I have "Short Stories, Tall Tales" which I also don't like (I
believe this was their last album) and "The Belfast Gigs" which is a poor
quality live album. It was released in the late 70's and has a few songs
from the "Book of Invasions" - I prefer their studio work to the live
album.
My next Horslips purchase will most likely be "The Tain" which is claimed,
by the 'Net, to be their best album alongside "Book of Invasions".
Hope this helps.
Ken
The Lighthouse Keeper
: I also have "Book of Invasions : A Celtic Symphony" and is one of my
: favorites. This one is more rock oriented with the addition of trumpet on
: some songs. Its supposed to be a concept album, but I still don't
: understand the concept. There are some great songs on here "Trouble with a
: Capital T", "Sword of Light", etc.. I highly recommend this one to anyone
: looking to check out Horslips.
I'll second Book Of Invasions as the best place to start, I think it's
their strongest album and is equal parts folk and rock.
: We now jump to late period Horslips with "Aliens" and "the Man Who Built
: America", both concept albums about Irish immigrating to America. Of the
: two, I like "Aliens" much better. There isn't a bad song on the album.
But the recording quality is dreadful. Listenin to it in headphones, one
would think the album was recorded through a pillow. Yes the songs are
good.
: Again, the music is closer to rock with a folk influence, comparable to
: the Waterboys / Fisherman's Blues or Jethro Tull / Songs from the Wood.
: On the other hand, "The Man Who Built America" is rather weak, and after
: several years I still have not been able to listen to this one all the way
: through. Bo-o-o-o-ring !
Disagree. Man who built America is a strong album, though a bit more of
a rocker than Aliens or Book Of Invasions. Tracks like "Tonight", "Loneliness"
"Green Star Liner", and "Long Time Ago" are solid Horslips classics, filled
with folk themes, propelled by a rock powerhouse.
: Finally, I have "Short Stories, Tall Tales" which I also don't like (I
: believe this was their last album)
Yes, this was their final studio album. There isn't a trace of their folk
roots in the music anywhere - it's just straight-ahead rock. The guy who
played violin all the other albums plays only rhythm guitar here, this is
the album where they lost it...and wisely, broke up immediately after.
I think - as you note, Steeleye and Tull seem to have a sound that roughly
paralells Horslips, but there's also a strong Beatles influence in their
music - moreso than the other bands....most obvious in the McCartney-like
contrapuntal bass lines, and the vocal harmonies (three different guys in
horslips sang). I saw them right after Man Who Built America came out,
at Rather Ripped Records' annual birthday party in Berkeley. Live they were
powerful - neither of the Horslips live albums even hints at the power they
packed. They did mostly stuff from Invasions, Aliens, and Man Who Built...
with an older tune thrown in here or there (I remember King of the Fairies
and some stuff from The Tain).
: My next Horslips purchase will most likely be "The Tain" which is claimed,
: by the 'Net, to be their best album alongside "Book of Invasions".
It's very different from it, though. An earlier era - expect something more
along the lines of Happy to Meet... but with more 'rock'. I'll agree it's
their second best.
So...the two albums to avoid: the aforementioned "Short Stories Tall Tales"
(I think it was titled "Guests of the Nation" in Ireland and UK), and the
appropriately titled "The Unfortunate Cup of Tea". All the others vary from
good to great. The first live album is better than "Belfast Gigs", but it
doesn't feature their best material (recorded before Book of Invasions)
--
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| Peter | ...and though the past has its share of injustice |
| pt...@netcom.com | kind was the spirit in many a way |
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Chris Wright
>Ken Lang (kl...@hostara.att.com) wrote:
>: On the other hand, "The Man Who Built America" is rather weak,...
>: Finally, I have "Short Stories, Tall Tales" which I also don't like ...
>Yep, I have three Horslip albums, and these are two of them.
<snip>
>Wish I could get some of those good ones!
Most of them, if not all of them, are now available on CD (at least
they are here in the UK) for the first time.
Chris Wright (Malvern, UK) chr...@wmalvern.demon.co.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Maybe someday we will find the thing we are,
Be it under a stone or behind the door, languishing on an ocean floor,
Slumbering in a dreamless sleep, melting into the velvet deep
Within the heart or hanging on a star.....the mystery we are"
Doug Landauer
> their strongest album and is equal parts folk and rock.
Why has no one mentioned "And Drive the Cold Winter Away"?
IMHO, it was their best album ever...
The Lighthouse Keeper
: > I'll second Book Of Invasions as the best place to start, I think it's
: > their strongest album and is equal parts folk and rock.
: Why has no one mentioned "And Drive the Cold Winter Away"?
: IMHO, it was their best album ever...
True, it's good, but I've always thought of it as a Christmas album,
or a Horslips "unplugged"......
Michael Daly
>
>hi all,
>
>i would like to ask those into folk-prog to provide reviews of albums by
>the band Horslips; a local store has the entire catalogue, and while i
>have liked what i have heard about the band, i haven't heard anything by
>them. i like fairport, steeleye span, albion band, lindisfarne and such
>bands.
>
>thanks in advance,
>
Haven't time for a review.but I would recommend the following:
1. The Book of Invasions (a masterpiece!)
2. The Tain
3. Dancehall Sweethearts
4. Aliens
The first three especially are a blend of folk & rock, with trad.
tunes morphing into rock. "Aliens" is less folk oriented but still
a good album.
I didn't much care for The Man Who Built America, lots of long boring
rock guitar solos & hardly any fiddle or flute.
Michael Daly
KRLaughlin
tape I recorded in the seventies.
Jerry Kranitz
: Which album has "Mad Pat" on it? I love that song. It's on an aircheck
: tape I recorded in the seventies.
"Mad Pat" is on Dancehall Sweethearts ('74)
--
Jerry Kranitz (jkra...@infinet.com)
HOME PAGE: http://www.infinet.com/~jkranitz/
The Lighthouse Keeper
: Which album has "Mad Pat" on it? I love that song. It's on an aircheck
: tape I recorded in the seventies.
Dancehall Sweethearts
And there's a version on the Live album too.
ACG Jr
not heard their other stuff. I discovered them when I was in my Tolkien
phase, and the traditional Celtic story of Chu Chulain upon which the Tain
is based struck me as cool...so I did a bit of research at the library and
found a few old books on the story. Chu Chulain was the MAN! My favorite
bit in the story...though The Tain didn't touch on it much...was the way
the Druids got back at the men in Chu Chulain's village for their cruel
treatment of Deirdra, a pregnant woman. They struck down all of the men
with labor pains! Chu Chulain was left alone to defend the village against
a whole army! Anyway...check out The Tain...lots of cool Celtic riffs!
Dave
>
> The Tain is killer! I never could get into The Book of Invasions, and I've
> not heard their other stuff. I discovered them when I was in my Tolkien
> phase, and the traditional Celtic story of Chu Chulain upon which the Tain
> is based struck me as cool...
>
as the Tain story. A good summary of the Tuatha De Danaan legend was
printed on the sleeve notes of the vinyl Book of Invasions, and that story is
what really turned me on to the record. If anyone is interested I can post it
up or e-mail you a copy.
My other favourites are the Horslips Live" double (not "Live in Belfast") which has great
celtic tunes and some bits of the Tain. Also "Drive the Cold Winter Away" which
is accoustic and very pleasant.
>
>
--
Dave
Bernard O'Connor
"Happy to meet, sorry to part" or their later albums "Aliens" and
"The man who built America"
I saw Horslips in concert many times in the 70's both in Ireland and
England. They were a great live band and their music is still
immensely popular in Ireland.
Full album listing available on request.
Bernard O'Connor
Accrington
Lancashire
UK
Miss Nora
years or so. I was sure by now that I was the only one. Any tips on how I
might replace my vinyl copy?
Ken Josenhans
This is old news, but the entire Horslips catalog has been reissued
on CD within the last six months or so. Write me if you need tips on
good import sources.
-- Ken Josenhans
k...@netsun.cl.msu.edu
Cat Eldridge
>"Drive the Cold Winter Away" has been one of my top 5 favorites for 15
>years or so. I was sure by now that I was the only one. Any tips on how I
>might replace my vinyl copy?
inc. "Drive the Cold Winter Away" (and damn near anything else you want
tha's in print). They bill via credit card when they ship the item to you.
I've gotten Horslips, Oysterband, The Men They Couldn't Hang, and other
goodies from them. Highly recommended!
*****************************************
Cat Eldridge / I cursed him in my heart. "Um, what day is it?"
Booking Manager / With the infinite patience of someone
Portland Folk Club / used to dealing with drunks, musicians,
Portland, Maine / and techies, he replied, "Sunday."
*****************************************
alan henson
>
> "Drive the Cold Winter Away" has been one of my top 5 favorites for 15
> years or so. I was sure by now that I was the only one. Any tips on how I
> might replace my vinyl copy?
I have a number of Horslips CD's in stock, including "Drive the Cold
Winter Away @ Ł7.90 Sterling, P+P included for UK & EC, Ł1 extra for
US.
I specialise in celtic folk, some English & scandanavian.
My latest advert is in Rock & Reel.
E Mail me if you want any help finding current celtic albums.
Alan (Henson) Black Sheep Music