-Celtic Life International Magazine, August 2017
By John Green "Darkwriter"
To paraphrase one critic, if you’re one of those fans who can’t stand to see anything you’re… well, fanatic about changed, you won’t like this album. For the rest of us who enjoy musical experimentation and are ever curious about how something would sound as a different rendering, feel free to dive right in.
It’s also notable for what’s been included and left out. The track list itself is intriguing, drawing from the classic run of their catalog from Dark Side of the Moon to The Final Cut, and even one from Momentary Lapse of Reason. Songs you’d expect are here as well as a few you wouldn’t, and nothing at all from Animals (Dogs, Sheep or Pigs would’ve been too much, but Pigs on the Wing would’ve worked).
The strongest parts are the bridges and extended outros where you really get to hear it all coming together. The Stout Brothers- Damon and Brian- showed their chops when putting it together. Everything flows together smoothly and flawlessly for a true listening experience.
And who hasn’t wanted to hear some good female vocalists belting out the forlorn, mournful lyrics we know and love so well? Songstresses Marian Tomas Griffin and Laura Solter do a magnificent job here; their voices doing the songs justice.
Another Brick in the Wall Pt2- Gets right into it from the start, letting you know what you’ll be in for the rest of the way. A fine rendition of the magnum opus.
Wish You Were Here- Marian Tomas Griffin’s performance is understated, but no less evocative. Mandolin and bagpipes accompany the 12-string guitar over the flute and penny whistle.
Comfortably Numb- The bridge and string solos during outro are simply awesome; the arrangement and layering of the various instruments- fiddles, pipes, violins and guitar is amazing. Made the whole song for me.
Hey You- This one almost makes you wish Waters had included bagpipes on the original version; they add extra weight to the haunted guitar picking. Riffs aren’t as strong as I’d like, but it’s more about harmony here.
Money- Laura Solter takes a fine turn on the vox. Really got into the drums here, and again, the jam session during the bridge is the best part.
The Fletcher Memorial Home- Maria Griffin returns to sing the world’s tyrants to bed. Nice job all around, especially the guitar solo.
One of These Days- Just like the original, it’s an extended jam session you really need to hear with your headphones; the stereo effect as the ‘howl’ travels is marvelous.
Brain Damage- Simply one of the best on the cd.
Mother- Another great one. Slowed down just a tad, despite the excellent harmonies with the accordion it becomes even more dirge-like and somber than the original. Listen closely for the bodhran drum underneath it all.
Young Lust- Fiddle solos taking the place of Gilmour’s power riffs brings it down a notch, but still a fun, interesting listen sung by a female lead.
On the Turning Away- A surprising inclusion, it’s another song that seems ready made for bagpipes, and the almost military-style drum and whistle accompaniment in the second verse is a nice touch. Strong vocal performance by Michael Kelly.
Run Like Hell- You could absolutely see this one being played in pubs around the world. It’s actually pretty doggone danceable, believe it or not. Once again, the bagpipes, accordion, fiddle and whistle are what make this one so strong, not to mention an excellent job by the female leads.
Whether you’re a Pink Floyd diehard or just a Celtic music fan, you simply can’t go wrong with this cd. It’s a fine, all around effort and a great alternate version to listen to.
pure bliss By TG on May 1, 2014
Format: MP3 Music Verified Purchase
Favorite band -> Pink Floyd
Favorite style of music -> celtic
5 stars for a great PF cover x 5 stars for great celtic music = 25 stars
That's how many I would give if I could. It's simply amazing.
By jesse moles
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love celtic music and i love pink floyd. now i get my cake and eat it too. great album.
By Bayfia
Format:Audio CD
I was so surprised when I heard this album! I am a Pink Floyd fan, of course. But I also listen to a lot of Celtic Irish and Scottish music! This was a wonderful departure from the classic Pink Floyd sound I'm accustomed to, but good listening, nevertheless! Most of the songs on the album are favorites of mine. I was particularly impressed with Comfortably Numb, because I thought it might be "ruined" by a Celtic singer & band arrangement. But it was not. Still as good a song as ever, and perhaps a little less depressing! Excellent treatment of old favorites!
By Erik A Wyatt
Format:MP3 Music
As a die-hard Floyd fanatic I was eager to hear this album. It does not disappoint, and this collection is such great fun! The numbers chosen for the collection really work for the Celtic sound, and include some choice album cuts that may surprise some. The Stout bros. have put together an amazing cast of musicians, and the arrangements really showcase the player's individual talents. With such a wide array of traditional instruments being used, it really makes the recording sound HUGE. Listen to the guitar feedback during One of These Days, and the shuffle drum pattern during the 1st verse of Another Brick, and the frantic violin coda on Run Like Hell! Standout favorites for me are Fletcher Memorial Home, Mother, Young Lust and Turning Away. This collection is a worthy tribute to both the PF canon AND traditional Irish music.
Play it LOUD!
CD BABY TOP 20 SELLERS - World/Celtic category
Review: “Celtic Pink Floyd” by Celtic Pink Floyd
If you are the diehard Pink Floyd fan who cannot see the music being changed one iota then this album is not for you. That being said, for everyone else, Celtic Pink Floyd, the brainchild of Damon Stout and Brian Stout, is an amazing feast. It not only is a worthy tribute to a seminal rock band that was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but also shows the versatility of Celtic musicians and Celtic music. This All-Star band of musicians truly due an incredible job holding true to the original music but leaving on it a certain Celtic stamp.
For instance, on “Wish You Were Here”, which was first featured on Pink Floyd’s 1975 album by the same name, and “Comfortably Numb”, one of Pink Floyd’s most recognized songs from their 1979 album The Wall, Patrick D’Arcy’s pipes and the whistle really help to evoke the pervading emotional tone of the song while allowing the Celtic influence to meld into it seamlessly. Likewise, on one of my favorite tracks “Run Like Hell” you get the phenomenal playing of the whistle as well as the fiddle. The clearness of it and the speed combined with the voices of both Marian Tomas Griffin and Laura Solter really give the song a wonderful intensity that makes you want to turn the volume up…way up. Perhaps, however, my favorite song on the album is “On the Turning Away.” Michael Kelly’s voice and fiddle just give the song a beautiful, melodic feel that is unmistakably Celtic in nature.
Other wonderful tracks on this album are classic songs like “Money”, “Mother”, “Another Brick in the Wall”, “Young Love”, as well as many more.
So if you are new to Pink Floyd or a loyal fan or just love Celtic Music, this album,Celtic Pink Floyd, should certainly be in your music collection. Plus, as an added bonus A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
Customer Reviews
As a die-hard Floyd fanatic I was eager to hear this album. It does not disappoint, and this collection is such great fun! The numbers chosen for the collection really work for the Celtic sound, and include some choice album cuts that may surprise some. The Stout bros. have put together an amazing cast of musicians, and the arrangements really showcase the player's individual talents. With such a wide array of traditional instruments being used, it really makes the recording sound HUGE. Listen to the guitar feedback during One of These Days, and the shuffle drum pattern during the 1st verse of Another Brick, and the frantic violin coda on Run Like Hell! Standout favorites for me are Fletcher Memorial Home, Mother, Young Lust and Turning Away. This collection is a worthy tribute to both the PF canon AND traditional Irish music. Awesome album & idea
This is a really great sounding album! - All the musicians are top notch and the arrangements are amazing…any Floyd fans (and Celtic music fans) should definitely pick this one up! Enjoyed this album
The only way to make Pink Floyd even more depressing is to set it to a Celtic arrangement! This is a great way to enjoy your Floyd and is recommended to fans of Pink Floyd and Celtic music.
Being a huge Pink Floyd fan; when I saw this CD “Celtic Pink Floyd, I said to myself …no way are they going to be able to pull this off; much
to my surprise after listening just to the first track; I was ashamed that I had such a thought at all and it taught me a lesson that you should never judge anything before you hear, read, or see the real thing….. every track on this CD is outstanding and since I first shared it with friends; I’ve seen an abundance of comments from all types of people raving about how awesome it is ….simple as that! This CD is simply outstanding to say the least; if you do not have it, you certainly should; a definite plus for anyone’s music library.
What I recommend is that you visit their PAGE here at the Celtic Crier; read all about them and listen to their music. I am positive you’ll want to get your hands on a CD to call your own; YES, it’s just that good!
Darlene Upton
The Celtic Crier
Artist Relations Director