Crosswinds

Imagine for a moment that there's a roaring fire before you, a hot stew on your plate in front of you, and you're in a room filled with your friends. Imagine also that the entertainment for the evening is a rowdy Irish/Celtic bunch of folks who seem to know the traditional folk songs of the country better than anybody else, and who are experts at putting it into music. Finally, imagine that these players are putting into music everything that epitomizes Celtic music, and you have Capercallie: a wonderful band who play Celtic-style music.

This album is mostly instrumental, but then again, much of Capercallie's stuff is like that. Drums, flutes, pipes and voices are all used to full effect in this perfect assortment of tunes, some being rowdy and making the blood flow in your veins faster than you thought possible, some being addictive, making your feet tap inexplicably in time to the music, and others being slow, sad, mournful and full of longing.

The songs in this album are all beautiful, and would suit the person in love with our Celtic heritage and music. There's something on this album for all your moods, and the lead singer has a beautiful voice: clear and well-ranged. The words are usually sung in Gaelic though, which will put off those of you who like to sing along!