Great Big Sea – Up

This started out as my attempt to write about ten albums in ten days, but I was feeling legitimately anxious about all the albums I wasn’t going to be able to include. Because of that I decided I’d extend this writing exercise a bit further, and if you’re reading this it’s because you decided to check out what I’m doing. Thanks!

It seems that most people who’ve undertaken this have tried to give it some semblance of chronology, and if I’m going to follow that trend I would be remiss if I didn’t start right at the beginning. Released in 1995 as their sophomore effort, Great Big Sea’s “Up” is the first real memory I have of listening to music, and one of the first firm memories I have at all. My parents had the album geared up first in the six-CD changer (fancy, I know) in our historically ugly hunter-green Ford Expedition, alongside other, shall we say… inspired choices, such as the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat soundtrack. I remember many a road trip that kicked off with ‘Run Runaway.’

Theories as to how this album came into our family’s possession are contradictory and puzzling, as neither of my parents’ musical tastes encompassed Celtic rock of any kind, outside of GBS. But in any case, this album has certainly left its mark on my taste, even if I don’t come back to it much anymore. The album’s mix of Newfoundland and Scottish standards (‘Lukey,’ ‘Mari-Mac,’ ‘Rant and Roar’), covers (‘Run Runaway,’ which I didn’t know was a cover until about 2010 – shoutout Slade), and heartfelt originals (‘Goin’ Up, ‘Fast as I Can,’ and ‘The Chemical Worker’s Song’) provides ample space for Alan Doyle and company to showcase their vocal harmonies, excellent fiddle work, and strong songwriting skills. It may not be a ‘prestige’ choice for an album, but it’s an eminently enjoyable listen, and I’d recommend it to anyone.