The Hard and the Easy - Album review [Great Big Sea]

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, LINKS ARE VIDEOS IN DISGUISE. IT'S BEST TO TRY THEM ALL OUT, ESPCIALLY IF YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE SONGS SOUND LIKE. --TK 

There is a few things in this world that bring me pleasure. things like a cold beer on a chilly fall day, possibly a cigar or pipe, with a good soundtrack in the background. The soundtrack changes depending on the mood, but rarely will a single piece of art entrance me as thoroughly as "The Hard and the Easy." I am, at heart, a connoisseur of celtic folk music. I personally prefer the acoustic sound, although I am a recovering metalhead, so loud and obnoxious electric instruments suit their purpose in the right moment.

However, in a normal moment's breath, the acoustic sound fits perfectly.

The Hard and the Easy is arguably the most influential album released in the folk music genre in the last decade. Never has the music scene seen so many songs brought to the forefront that were once lost in obscurity. With tunes like The Old Polina (you can see my band's rendition here) or Harbour LeCou, Great Big Sea launched a phase in folk music history that will soon be dominated by the long lost songs of the little rock in the sea's repertoire.

The album begins with what is claimed by Bob Hallet to be the oldest tune in Newfoundland, dating back into the Old Testament times in the middle east. Of course, there have been Christian and Pagan symbols added since then (obviously, since when did the RCC ever keep themselves out of anything?), but the song remains rather true to its roots. In this version it's titled Come and I Will Sing You. The album proceeds with the aforementioned shanty The Old Polina and then the melancholy River Driver. The album takes a turn for the humourous with the slapstick Mermaid Song (a must see video from their follow up live album "Courage, Patience and Grit").

Captain Kidd presents itself as a welcomed interlude to the album. A fan favoruite, the song protrays the life of a true pirate from Scotland. This rendition, though from Newfoundland, actually has Scottish roots.

Graceful and Charming is the love song of the album. Sean McCann nails vocals and the accordion part is tremendously awesome. Never has a love song sounded so tender, and the tune was actually featured at Sean's grandparent's wedding (which offers a reason to its significance).

The b'ys tip another pint back for the next tune, as they romp to the infamous song Concerning Charlie Horse, which can only be experienced by listening or watching. Words can not do it justice.

A personal favourite follows, which is titled Harbour LeCou, and Sean again sings of maidens, sailors, and adultery. Tishialik Girls Set is an instrumental number, followed by another shanty called French Shore (which again features another beautiful Concertina part).

A hilarious satire follows in the form of Cod Liver Oil. I've heard the melody used before, mostly in some irish tunes, but the words to this song are great, and it's the "darker" side of the rather uplifting album.

The lyrics to the album are derived from the final number on the disc, Tickle Cove Pond. Why this song isn't on the CPaG album (the live one mentioned before) baffles me. Why name two albums off of lyrics from one song and never use the song in the live performance? I still don't know, but it's a good cadence to the album.

The album itself faired evry well, selling over 300,000 copies in Canada alone and many more worldwide. For an album that denies modern genre labels, it gave hope to thousands of folk musicians who want to perform the same type of music themselves, including myself. It's no wonder I've chosen to use two songs off this album alone, and at least two other Newfie songs that GBS has recorded prior to this project. They're just that good. And if you're the type, like me, who enjoys simplicity and relaxation, this album is for you.

--TK