‘Road Rage’ is a collection of live tracks lifted primarily from Great Big Sea’s coast to coast Canadian tour during the latter months of 1999. Hailing from Newfoundland, the band has developed a big following North of the border, yet here in the States has been a much different story as they are still a relative unknown.

Aside from the normal instruments we are so used to seeing in most bands, this four-piece outfit play quite an eclectic mix of instruments including fiddles, mandolins, accordions, Irish flutes, bouzoukis, mandolas, bodhrans, concertinas, tin whistles and bones. With all this diversity, ‘Road Rage’ is a rollicking good time that performs like a greatest hits package, only in a live setting. The music displayed here is energetic and shows tremendous crowd participation. This combination of Celtic-Rock and sing-a-long Folk brings a joyous feeling of being in some ole Irish bar celebrating in drunken sing-a-longs during the wee hours of the night.

There isn’t really one particular song that anchors the album. Instead, all nineteen tracks play as one cohesive effort and really show off the bands uniqueness. With more than half of these tunes being traditional Irish songs, Great Big Sea adds their own flavor to them with wonderful and surprising success. Plenty of range is offered up here as well, as the band can impressively slow the tempo down with songs like ‘Captain Wedderburn’, ‘Fast As I Can’ and ‘Boston And St. Johns’ without disrupting the flow of the record. For the most part however, all the songs consist of a jovial and lively nature with tracks such as ‘When I’m Up’, ‘Lukey’, ‘I’m A Rover’ and the list going on and on. Acapella tracks even show up in the form of ‘General Taylor’ and ‘Hangin Johnny’ with the former being a stellar rendition imprinting the phrase “carry him to his burying ground” in your head to harmonize to yourself. Likewise, many of these tunes will find their own little ways into your head long after the listen.

If you have never heard of these guys, this live album will serve as a perfect introduction before focusing on their six studio albums, as it really captures much more of the bands spirit it is known and loved for. Fans of live music will absolutely want to add this impressive effort to their collection. Go grab a pint and merrily spend a grand ole evening with Great Big Sea and this 4 Planet endeavor.

Track Listing:
1. Donkey Riding
2. When I’m Up
3. Everything Shines
4. Goin’ Up
5. Boston & St. John’s
6. Night Pat Murphy Died
7. Consequence Free
8. Captain Wedderburn
9. Old Black Rum
10. General Taylor
11. Lukey
12. Feel It Turn
13. I’m A Rover
14. Fast As I Can
15. Jack Hinks
16. Mari-Mac
17. Ordinary Day
18. Excursion Around The Bay
19. Hangin’ Johnny

Shamples Rating:  4 out of 5 Planets


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