Rise
"Uncertain Wonders"
"Posing As Human"
by Johanna J. Bodde
                                                                   

RISE   "Uncertain Wonders" (Sheheshe Records) www.riseband.co.uk and www.cdbaby.com/cd/riseband www.celticcafe.com/music/Rise/index.htm ----- It is not possible to make a CD-booklet with more pages than the Scottish band RISE did, otherwise it really won't fit into the jewelbox anymore! Anything a music lover could wish for regarding information, is featured indeed. The printed lyrics even have explanations and photographs to match, the pictures of the musical instruments turned out very well too. Lady-singer Debbie Dawson is loved by the camera, the way she sits in her kitchen with that antique sword! She is also blessed with an incredibly pure voice, which fits the appealingly varied modern folk of RISE very well. Always nice, two voices in a band, as Gerry Geoghegan sings too, in two duets with Debbie but also as a lead vocalist, for instance in that surprising "Great Big Life", where his voice seems to sound -as the conscience of the old man- from the radio. Interesting subject: bitter elderly people, who want to poison their children with their own rancour and disappointment. And let's not forget that gripping, unknown piece of history from "Cold Glencoe", in 1692 King William of Orange played a questionable part in the massacre of the MacDonalds Clan. So guitarist Gerry is the most important songsmith in RISE and this talented gentleman also plays keyboards, (soprano-) saxophone and bodhran! The music is typical Celtic, but is dressed by RISE in their own jacket, sometimes plain acoustic, sometimes with a pithy electric guitar and drums added. "Time And Tide" is a good example, traditional melody with a Led Zep passage! "I Wonder Why" is turned into a catchy Abba type of song by Debbie, she performs that old "Wild Mountain Thyme" but also comes away with a passionately sung "Imagine" as the closing track of no less than 64 minutes of spellbinding music. Even if you're not that much into folk and Celtic, this album is worth trying! --- Written by Johanna J. Bodde, Dutch original of this review previously published on Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands. =====

RISE   "Posing As Human" (Orissor Productions) www.riseband.co.uk and www.cdbaby.com/cd/riseband2 ----- The Scottish band RISE, living on the western island of Bute, released a second album, "Posing As Human". Luckily the line-up is still the same: Debbie Dawson, girl-singer with the enchanting voice. Gerry Geoghegan, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitars, bass, keyboards, bodhran, whistles, mandolin, banjo, bazouki). And of course Kris Manvell, who sends out the best-written newsletter in the bizz and who plays here drums, percussion and keyboards. This CD is a worthy follow-up to "Uncertain Wonders" and was really made as a part two. Various songs are the second act in a story that already started earlier, musical influences seeped in even deeper, the CD-booklet is voluptuous again and crammed with lyrics, explanation, quotes and more artistic photographs. This album leans closer towards alt.country, is a little poppier and more keyboards were added, but the modern approach of Scottish folk is still there, the band also experiments with bluegrass and swamprock. Debbie sings most of the leadvocals, there is a duet, Gerry's voice is heard in the leading part of four songs and again as a harmony vocal. The arrangements are very different for every track, which makes the CD exceedingly fascinating and I haven't written about the lyrics yet! They spread over the field of current topics ("Posing As Human"), look at modern day friendships and relationships with a sense of humor ("Don't Stop The World", "Fading Fast") and go back for centuries with traditionals ("Both Sides The Tweed", "Green Grow The Rashes-O"). Gerry writes just as easily in that old style himself, just listen to the jig "I Will See My Love Again" or the stories of "The Gallows" and "Woe To Live On". By the way, there's also a wonderful Nanci Griffith cover featured: "Love At The Five And Dime". My advice is to check out both albums together, nobody will regret that! --- Written by Johanna J. Bodde, Dutch original of this review previously published on Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands. =====