Search - John Doyle :: Wayward Son

Does it get any better than this? Now it Doylen't...

Sound/Word Enthusiast | Rhode Island, USA | 07/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...wow. Sorry for the platitude, but this record defies any honest response save for shear wonder. For years, Doyle has been an absolute rhythmic powerhouse, developing a staggering vocabulary for Irish rhythm guitar playing whose influence was immediate and pervaisive. I emplore you to go straight to the first two Solas records and bask in the unrelenting drive and thrust he brings to their sound. But before you go there, BUY THIS RECORD. For while Doyle's rhythm and lead guitar chops remain in impeccable form, what astonishes most about WAYWARD SON is his singing. His first vocal forays (on later Solas projects and his solo debut album on Shanachie) seemed a wee bit timid and hesitant, despite the obviously attractive timbre of his voice and his assured phrasing. Here he emerges fully as a vocalist, even taking on Nic Jones's arrangement of "Captain Glenn" with no trace of being intimidated by that great man's definitive (until now) version.



Doyle is accompanied by an amazing array of musicians -- including Danny Thompson, Alison Brown, Tim O'Brien, Stuart Duncan, and old Solas mates Seamus Egan and John Williams. Doyle's driving guitar makes drums somewhat unneccessary, so master percussionist Kenny Malone chooses instead to color the songs with tasteful splashes and subterranean accents.



I could go on and on, but frankly, this is one of the absolute finest albums of the year. Don't miss out. Buy two and give one to a friend. No one will walk away disappointed."

A fascinating album by a unique talent

John Lee | Mattoon IL United States | 09/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As best as I can figure, John Doyle is the greatest Irish rhythm guitar player ever. Check out his instructional video from Homespun, or any of his early albums with Solas --- he provides a bass line, chordal accompaniment, countermelodies, and percussion, all at once. Outstanding stuff --- and it really makes Irish music more accessable for modern listeners.



But in his two solo albums, you get a broader view of the man's talents. He is a fine singer, particularly on the old ballads, a great fingerstyle player, and flatpicks some excellent tunes on guitar and bouzouki. And he has some mighty talented friends pitching in here. "Wayward Son" is Irish music at heart, but you can also hear other Celtic and Appalachian roots music in here, and John's ear for rhythm gives some of his songs a Middle Eastern or jazz feel."

Casual listener sits up and takes notice

Sophie | Alexandria, VA | 02/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recently (Jan'06), I went to see a favorite band ("Lunasa") and was irked to have to wait through a warm-up act--it was two people I'd never heard of: Liz Carroll and John Doyle. By the second number, I was ashamed of myself. Doyle flashed incredibly proficient, high-energy guitar work, and connected well with his audience. After the show, I bought his CD.



In the studio, his guitar work recedes (comparatively), and its the singing that moves to the fore. His voice offers a warm, gentle baritone that carefully articulates the lyrics of some gruesome ballads. (This is a whole album of wayward sons!) The net effect is an album that's ends up being all about nuance and wry humor--it wears very well."