Track Listing

1. Great Big Sea/Gone By the Board
2. Someday Soon
3. Excursion Around The Bay
4. What Are You At?
5. The Fisherman's Lament
6. I'se The B'y
7. Drunken Sailor
8. Irish Paddy/Festival Reel/ Roger's Reel
9. Time Brings
10. Jigs: Eavesdropper's/Both Meat & Drink/Off We Go
11. Berry Picking Time

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140409 in Music
• Released on: 2004-05-11
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
The multi-Platinum band Great Big Sea has become one of Canada's most popular exports, and after one listen to this reissue of their debut album, you'll know why. With rousing renditions of traditional tunes like "Drunken Sailor" and "I'se the B'y," plus originals such as "Someday Soon" and "Time Brings," Great Big Sea showcases the seeds of a sound which has won this band thousands upon thousands of fans around the country. "Great Big Sea has been more successful than any other contemporary North American band in bringing Anglo-Celtic folk sounds into rock clubs."-Dirty Linen

Amazon.com
In 1993, a youthful quartet recorded a self-titled, independently produced debut album. They had been playing their own brand of Scots/Irish-influenced folk-rock to increasingly loyal audiences throughout Canada for several years, so there was a pre-existing demand. But it just kept growing! Thus begins the astonishing tale of how an obscure band from Newfoundland gradually evolved into a platinum-selling international phenomenon. Six albums later, their resources have broadened considerably, but the essence of their patented sound was obviously there from the beginning. Strong, tightly harmonized vocals, driving guitars, a profound mastery of Celtic instruments and traditions, plus a gleeful, uninhibited way with a hook were already part of the band¹s arsenal, much as they are today. Each of the 11 tracks has something to offer, but "The Fisherman's Lament," a bitter dirge about the destruction of Newfoundland's fishing industry, remains in the heart and head long after the music stops. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

not bad, first effort
GBS's songwiting has not yet reached their full potential, however their political bent and celtic leanings shine through in this effort. A must have for any GBS fan, and a very good album overall.

A promising debut, but only a hint of things to come
On the DVD accompanying Great Big Sea's 2005 album "The Hard and the Easy", the Newfounland-based Celtic rockers indicate this self-titled debut is still their favorite album. Perhaps it's that feeling of "it's never as good as the first time." But the fact is, Great Big still had a ways to go when this independent-label disc was released in 1993.

For fans who relish the band's traditional songs--often age-old sea shanties, drinking songs and odes to their homeland--this album is one to treasure. I personally discovered Great Big Sea with their follow-up 1995 album "Up", in which the tradional material is mixed with a handful of upbeat original numbers. Most of their succeeding albums would follow this formula, bringing the band increasing success with each release.

The best parts of the album are GBS's versions of "Drunken Sailor", "I'se the B'y", and the studio version of live favorite "Excursion Around the Bay." If you're new to the band, I'd still recommend getting "Up" first, and mabye the 2002 release "Sea of No Cares."

Fun, enjoyable update of old Celtic trad...
These Canadian fellas offer an earnest, bouncy mix of upbeat, slightly dorky, soft rock and Celtic-by-way-of-Newfoundland trad, sort of like the Pogues but without all the drunkenness and scary dental work. And, y'know what? It's not bad! There's sort of a relentless, Muppetlike cheerfulness about their debut record which can wear down even the most sniffy and grumpy of traditionalists. And it you're looking for some bright, lightweight pop, this could be a big winner for you. Worth giving a spin.

(PS - This is a reissue of a record originally released in 1993.)