Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers

• Artist: Solas
• Rating:
• Release Date: May 20, 1997
• Total Time: 55:38
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: World

Review

It would be hard for Solas to top their eponymous debut album, and the group don't quite succeed, but they do present a wonderful follow-up nonetheless. Things are a bit more self-conscious and experimental this time around: Séamus Egan brings his banjo to the proceedings, playing it with an incredible rhythmic technique, and guest percussionist John Anthony bangs on drums from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The music, however, is still traditional, and that may keep the band from drifting off into worldbeat genericness. "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is given a modern treatment but is still the same old story of rebellion wrapped in a love song. "The Unquiet Grave" starts with a conventional sentiment -- "Cold blows the wind upon my true love" -- but then develops into a weird dialogue between a man and his dead sweetheart. The instrumentals, as always, are dense and engaging. Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers is recommended to any fan of modern Irish music. ~ Kurt Keefner, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
The Wind That Shakes the Barley	Traditional	Solas	(2:55)
Big Reel of Ballynacally/The High Hill/Flash Away the Pressing Gang	Ed Reavy	Solas	(4:30)
Aililiú Na Gamhna	Traditional	Solas	(3:36)
Tom Busby's/James O'Byrne's/The Four Posts of the Bed	Traditional	Solas	(3:48)
Paddy Taylors/McFadden's Handsome Daughter/The Narrowback/Franks Reel	John McCusker	Solas	(5:52)
The Unquiet Grave	Traditional	Solas	(4:51)
The Maid on the Shore	Traditional	Solas	(4:31)
Song of the Kelpie	Traditional	Solas	(4:50)
Mom's Jig/Bill Nicholson's 67th	Jerry Holland, Otis Tomas	Solas	(3:50)
Primrose Lass/Molly from Longford/The Four Kisses	Traditional	Solas	(3:25)
Vanished Like the Snow		Solas	(4:35)
Kilnamona Barndance/Give the Girl Her Fourpence/ My Maryanne	Traditional	Solas	(4:11)
Adieu Lovely Nancy	Traditional	Solas	(4:44)

Credits

Seamus Egan (Banjo), John Anthony (Taragat), Alison Shirk (Photography), John Williams (Concertina), John Anthony (Triangle), John Williams (Arranger), John Doyle (Guitar), John Anthony (Bodhran), John Doyle (Vocals), Seamus Egan (Flute), John Anthony (Mixing), John Anthony (Engineer), John Anthony (Mastering), Seamus Egan (Tin Whistle), Seamus Egan (Guitar (Acoustic)), Winifred Horan (Fiddle), Seamus Egan (Whistle (Instrument)), Johnny Cunningham (Producer), John Anthony (Talking Drum), Seamus Egan (Mandolin), John Anthony (Djembe), John Doyle (Guitar (Acoustic)), Karan Casey (Vocals), John Anthony (Pandeiro), Seamus Egan (Percussion), Rick Ridpath (Assistant Engineer), Johnny Cunningham (Arranger), Winifred Horan (Arranger), John Anthony (Shaker), Albert Alfonso (Bodhran), John Anthony (Hi Hat), Karan Casey (Arranger), Seamus Egan (Bodhran), John Anthony (Dumbek), John Williams (Accordion), John Anthony (Iya), Grace Chang (Design), Rick Ridpath (Engineer), Seamus Egan (Arranger), John Anthony (Clay Drums), John Doyle (Mandocello), John Doyle (Arranger)

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