RISE (UK): Uncertain Wonders

Rise (UK)

Uncertain Wonders

© 2002 Orissor Productions (5031200106020)

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Highly evocative alt.folk

notes

RISE at the Celtic Cafe



UNCERTAIN WONDERS - a most remarkable debut album

I first became smitten by the music of the Scottish band Rise on Fiona Ritchie's wonderful "Thistle and Shamrock" program. I didn't catch the name of the group, but I knew I had to keep searching until I could get my hands on "Uncertain Wonders" and the particular song that had captivated me so. Two months later, success! The band Rise, although shy about sharing personal information, was kind enough to finally give in -- due to my relentless badgering -- and write down their thoughts about the music. I asked specifically about the influences that went into the creation of probably my favorite track, "Time and Tide," as it relates to Scotland's beloved bard Robbie Burns and the similarity to another track I like, "Gloomy Winter," on Dougie MacLean's great "Tribute" album.

Rise wanted to "keep the feel of a traditional Burns-type ballad while utilising the the power of modern instrumentation and production. We combined an intelligible lyric, telling an age-old story, set to a traditional melody then wrapped it up in a modern arrangement and tried to play it with as much feeling as possible."

Check out the efolkMusic.com link at the bottom of the page and listen to "Time and Tide" and their other songs to see for yourself why they have become such a "word-of-mouth" phenomenon. You'll find it's hard to pick a favorite track - because Rise and "Uncertain Wonders" are simply terrific in every way!

THE BAND:

Debbie Dawson: vocals
Gerry Geoghegan: guitars, vocals, sax, keyboards, bodhran
Elaine McCombe: bass guitar
Kris Manvell: drums, percussion, keyboards

One reason we do not say too much or put out bios and talk ourselves up is that we really feel that it should be about the music. Who and what we are is not important. The music is. Music and lyrics mean different things to different people. Everyone responds to music differently. It is a very personal thing. Since we were asked for our thoughts on our songs, here goes. Your own take on the songs is as valid as anyone else's. All we can say is this is what the music means to us. This is a collection of songs which goes some way to expressing a few of our thoughts and, I suppose, our outlook on life.

UNCERTAIN WONDERS - The birth of RISE.

This album grew from a band that Debbie, Gerry, Elaine and Kris were playing in a few years ago, called Precious. We were playing Gerry's arrangements of Celtic Folk music from Scotland, Ireland and America, employing Gerry and Elaine's past Folk experience. We played some 'Alternative Country' and songs by the likes of Nanci Griffith and Alanis Morrissette. We would then plug in and play Van Morrison, Dougie MacLean, REM, U2, Steve Miller, Cranberries, Radiohead and Sting covers. We would also throw in some blues-based stuff and a bit of Jazz. The gigs would sometimes last for 3 or 4 hours! We loved doing it and played to very receptive and appreciative audiences. However, deep down we wanted to write our own songs. Kris wrote quite a few poems whilst working up in Orkney and faxed them to Gerry to encourage and provoke him to turn his mind to writing songs again. Slowly but surely songs started to emerge from Gerry that excited the band enough to reform and invest money in their studio. Two years later, in January 2002, we had released our debut indie album 'Uncertain Wonders.'

TIME AND TIDE

The verses of the lyric to this song are an adaptation of 'The snowy-breasted pearl' by George Petrie. This can be found in 'The words of a hundred Irish songs and ballads - Old favourites from "Danny Boy" to "The Fields of Athenrye"' published by Bookmark, a division of Ossian Publications of Cork, Ireland.

The chorus is suggested by Rabbie Burns in 'Now Westlin Winds', particularly:

'Come let us stray our gladsome way And view the charms of nature;' as well as,

'I'll grasp thy waist, and, fondly prest Swear how I love you dearly'

and most particularly by Robert Tannahill's 'Gloomy Winters Noo Awa'

'Come my lassie let us stray O'er Glenkillochs sunny brae Blythely spend the gowden day 'Midst joys that never weari O'

If you compare Tannahill's 'Gloomy winter' to Burns' 'Westlin winds,' Burns' intensity is much greater. The premises of both works are very similar, but the Burns' is reaching for something much more profound than a simple celebration of nature. The melody is traditional and we combined it with a passage adapted from 'The song remains the same' by Led Zeppelin.

The idea of new words for an old tune came about because of Dougie MacLean's version of 'Gloomy Winter' on his album 'Whitewash' from 1990. He used the same traditional tune but the whole of Tannahill's poem. It's written pretty much entirely in 'Scots' and extols the beauty of nature:

'Lav'rocks fan the snaw-white cloods Siller saughs wi' downy buds' and 'Neath the brae the burnie jouks.'

While clearly works of genius, the tune and words didn't seem to complement each other entirely effectively. No matter how much you loved the song, the words and music did not sit comfortably together. Essentially for us, the words lacked the intensity of feeling that the melody displayed. Tannahill's poem is great and fabulously descriptive, but it lacks the emotional depth of the beautiful, deeply melancholic traditional melody.

We wanted to use the tune but match it thematically to something more emotional and lyrically to something more immediately melancholic. We also wanted to try to keep the feel of a traditional Burns-type ballad while utilising the power of modern instrumentation and production. We combined an intelligible lyric, telling an age-old story, set to a traditional melody then wrapped it up in a modern arrangement and tried to play it with as much feeling as possible. That's really how 'Time and Tide' came about and got on the album.


COLD GLENCOE

This song is unusual as it tells the story of the Glencoe massacre in the Highlands of Scotland from the point of view of one of the soldiers who carried it out. It is the story of clan against clan and it is a story that is repeated the world over. This makes it familiar to many people of different nations. The William in the song is King William of Orange, politically manipulating things like it was a game. The MacDonalds did sign the oath of allegiance he required of all clans, albeit a little late due to incredibly inclement weather (apparently some of the worst snow falls in many years). King Billy, via the only too willing John of Stair, still had them assassinated. We have tried not to romanticise the events but rather show the graphic nature of the acts and the feelings of guilt that must have affected the perpetrators.

It took us all ages to convince Gerry that this song was worth keeping, and to get him to play it live was even harder. When the rest of the band heard this it made the hairs on the back of our necks stand up - it was so powerful. This is one of our favourites that Gerry has written. He wrote this in an hour during a lunch break.


ALL I HAVE

It's about how people sometimes react to new ideas. If you tell them about how you have had a new idea or something new that you have come to believe in, they turn away and won't even consider your point of view. At times, because we don't eat meat and dairy products, our families and friends have at best misunderstood us and at worst turned against us. If you don't fit in, stand up for what you believe in, or if what you say is deemed untraditional or unfashionable you can be treated as an outcast. All we do is make our own choices and we believe everyone should be free to make their own choices too - as long as it doesn't encroach on others. This is a song that Gerry wrote the music to and Kris and Gerry wrote the words to.


BUFFALO SONG

Like many people in Britain, we all grew up empathising with the Native American peoples. Films like 'Little Big Man' deeply moved us. The book 'I buried my heart at Wounded Knee' was so moving and disturbing that Kris couldn't finish it. In a way Native Americans always represented, to us both, the under-dog and a simpler, closer-to-the-earth kind of lifestyle.

To be honest, it fitted the whole 'hippy' ideal that had become popular again when we were growing up. We were the kind of people who gravitated towards alternative lifestyles and ways of thinking. The subject of people trying to be at one with nature and living with the land appealed to us. Whether it was the Celts, the Pagans or the Native Americans the idea of a closer, more spiritual relationship with the earth was very inspiring. We have thought a great deal about these things since and come to the conclusion that we felt as empathetic to the buffalo as we did the Native Americans that depended so much on them. We realised how the Native American and the Buffalo lives were inextricably linked. This was one of the first songs Gerry and Kris wrote together. Gerry wrote the music and adapted the lyrics from a poem that Kris had written.


TRUE LOVE'S EYES

It's a song about being enslaved after a failed uprising or after a war when you are on the losing side. A woman watching her lover being taken away knowing she will never see him again and that they will not grow old together. It could as easily apply to an African woman watching the slavers taking her man away or be set during one of the crushed Highland uprisings. It might bring your own tale of rebellion and defeat to mind wherever you are. There are incidents in every culture's history such as this. A modern folk song which Gerry has written based on the Celtic tradition.


IT DOESN'T MATTER

This is essentially a song of equality. We are all human beings sharing the same planet. We all come up against similar situations and problems in life, so we need to respect, understand and support one another. If you find yourself in the same boat it's only common sense to pull together and put aside differences. This song was written by the band from a poem Kris wrote and to which Debbie put a melody.

GREAT BIG LIFE

This is a song about parents and family and how often they are not about love but about obligation and duty. The old saying 'you can choose your friends...' is so true. Instead of respecting and appreciating one another in families, it is so often about barely tolerating one another. It is often about suffering and perpetrating abuse that you would never tolerate from a friend or anyone you respected. 'Family-arity' breeds contempt! The voice of the singer represents the conscience of the old man which at first seems to be coming out of a radio. This conscience then asks him to think about and consider the way he has dealt with people and look back and assess his past honestly. This is something he has been avoiding. The conscience then turns to the old woman character. A telling line is when the old woman or mother figure is asked 'did you take the time to shatter all their dreams?' So often older people seem to resent younger people. They behave as if they don't want them to enjoy their opportunities. Embittered themselves, they want to poison the young with their resentment and disappointment. Of course it works the other way too, but it tends to be older people who are in control and so should know better. The tired myth that 'older means wiser', which is gradually fading thankfully, still holds sway with so many people who have given up thinking. This is another song that Gerry and Kris wrote together whilst Kris was working in Orkney trying to goad Gerry into writing music by faxing him nightly with reams of poems.


THINKING ABOUT YOU

A song written by Gerry based on his relationship with his partner of 11 years. The lyric tells how he truly cares for her, trying to understand and respect her as a true friend should. It's also about how they both look to each other's needs. It is a real love song for modern times. It tries to be realistic, moving away from the popular romantic vision that everything is perfect. No one is perfect but they are still lovable! The song is about the second phase of being in love when the depth of association with, and understanding of, the other person is what makes it magical. It's about how the other person pervades your being to such an extent that you think about them 1000 times a day and it becomes a feeling of them being constantly present in your consciousness. It's not about fancying them - although that is part of it. It's about knowing everything and accepting it - the good with the bad, the pleasant with the unpleasant, the beautiful with the ugly. It is the state beyond lust. It is the state that makes relationships enduring and worthwhile. It is about emotional synergy.

IMAGINE

This is a song which really expresses a lot of what we believe. This is the embodiment of the songwriter's art as far as we are concerned. Offering something valuable which might be worth considering. This is the level of writing to which we aspire. It is our Anthem for better times. Huge, daring words expressing something very radical. Many people do not even realise how ground-breaking and revolutionary this song was. They just know they love it. 'Imagine there's no countries... nothing to kill or die for'... 'and no religion too'. Could this be more poignant and relevant for these times? This was written 30 years ago! How many other songwriters have stated their vision with such clarity and simplicity? For a lot of people it is just an unattainable fool's dream. For some people it is just a matter of time.


LOMOND

These are some of the traditionally-sung words of the song. There are some other verses but these three are the most commonly sung. The last verse has actually become a kind of chorus that some people put between the other verses.

The melody is traditional but we slightly adjusted it on the line 'Me and my true love' and the word 'Lomond' and extended the chord sequence to change the feel.

The idea of doing this song was to present the feeling of the song apparent in the lyric. We'd all heard it a million times, but it was nearly always turned into a piece of light opera. It had become devalued and twee. A vehicle for tenors in kilts to sing by the fire on cheesy Hogmanay shows. The versions we heard growing up showed a disregard for the meaning of the lyric and the emotional possibilities of the melody. The song became hackneyed and evoked little feeling in us. It was a Scottish cliché. There seemed to be no emotive quality left in it.

Once, on the train to Oban which goes right passed the head of Loch Lomond affording travellers a stunning view, Gerry heard a middle aged Japanese tourist explain to his wife that this was the loch in the song. When she obvously didn't understand what he was saying he sang the last line over and over again and pointed out the window. She immediately sprang to her feet and started clicking away on her camera. The lady clearly knew the tune because he was singing 'bunny bunny bink' repeatedly.

We wanted to take the tune and the words and try to put them back into a romantic context. The song is not really about the loch -- it's about death, parting and loss. The 'low road' is the road of the spirit world which the dead travel along as opposed to the 'high road' of the physical world of the living. Spirits travel faster apparently hence the 'I'll be in Scotland afore ye'. Someone once told us the song refers to the thoughts of a prisoner sentenced to death during executions conducted in London after the failed '45 Jacobite rebellion. This seems plausible but we couldn't swear to it.

It's interesting that the protagonist refers to returning to Scotland after death instead of going to heaven as you might expect. We think the inference might be that the ghost of the dead warrior would rather hang around where he and his love last said goodbye than leave for the afterlife. There's passion and commitment for you. The taking of the different roads suggests that the warrior's love is present wherever his death is about to take place. She wants to spend every last minute near him, support him through his last day and finally witness his death. Imagine the pain and feeling of helplessness in this. Imagine the depth of feeling and strength of character in these actions. Stirring stuff.

We slowed it right down, wrote new guitar chords in D-tuning, added a second theme played on the guitar because it has no chorus, added some synth sounds for atmosphere and in a bizarre move got Gerry to sing it. This came about when he sang a dummy vocal in the studio to show the band some new bits that might be good to add to the tune. We liked the feel of what came out so we bulied him into doing the vocal the same way on the real track. We've tried to show our respect for the song and catch its serious overtones with our melodic and harmonic treatment of it. The words remain very enigmatic but there is enough referencing in the lyric to allow the 'lamenting' quality of this very sentimental old song to come out. That's the way we liked to play it -- with respect for its sincerity. We're not sure how our version will go down in Okinawa though.


Feature: Bernadette Price
Original Web Design: Alexander Servas



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Review by HIGHLANDER RADIO

Rise comes to us from the beautiful Scottish West Coast Island of Bute! Members of the band include Gerry Geoghegan on guitar, Elaine McCombe on bass, Steve Howrie on keyboard, Kris Manvell on drums and the electrifying voice of Debbie Dawson. Their debut album, Uncertain Wonders, contains both original and traditional material, and has found a certain favorite spot on this writers CD shelf!

Listening to their first track, Buffalo Song, exposes the groups pure and artistic talent that is found throughout the album. Their original compositions are excellent, capturing the depth and feeling of their lyrics. Highlander Radio was especially pleased to hear their original song, "Cold Glencoe." With heart beating drums and stirring vocals, this song describes the massacre at Glencoe in Scotland some 300 years ago. We also enjoyed the traditional songs, "Wild Mountain", "Lomond" and the best rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" that we have heard in a very long time.

Not only were we impressed with the music and style of Rise, but we enjoyed the included lyrics booklet (to sing along with) and the beautiful black and white photography. With their fresh sounding music, and their unique ability to transcend the new with the old, Rise has created a fantastic first album that is sure to capture the hearts of many new fans to come! Highlander Radio will be eagerly awaiting for their next album!




The band has also been described in America as 'ecletic, original, inventive, very musical and highly evocative'.

One DJ in Sacremento said: 'I appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into your music. Thank you, and I'm looking forward to exposing my listeners to it.'

'A bright spot in the folk music arena that brings the magic of Scotland to your ears. It's well produced and Debbie's voice will touch your heart'

reviews

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  • author: wjrce

    Quite interesting music. The songwriting is quite provocative and the music enhances the lyrics.

  • true music with meaning
    author: dp jones

    i have both of you're discs love them both, especially like the stories behind the songs.can't wait for the next one.

  • Captivating debut, filled with passion and power!
    author: Kim Loftis

    The first time I heard of the Scottish band Rise, and their music, was on the wonderful Celtic Cafe, and I immediately resolved to purchase their first cd. And to say that I’m thrilled and inordinately pleased with their debut, Uncertain Wonders, would be a huge understatement. To categorize this album into any particular genre is, to me at least, somewhat misleading, as the band incorporates bits of folk, Celtic, rock, and country into their unique style. Each is skilled at his or her instrument, and no matter which style is prevalent in any given song; these musicians excel at all of them. The vocals are not only beautifully rendered, but also include tight harmonies, which add to the grace and power of the album. Each song has it’s own unique sparkle; it’s own personality, if you will. Ranging from heart renting ballads, to light-hearted love songs, to powerful portrayals of historical events, this album is both diverse and thought provoking. These are songs that will touch the heart of any listener, and are lovingly delivered by this band. This is, ultimately, an album about life in all it’s harshness, beauty, sadness, and glory. Each song is a part of the greater tapestry, and when taken together, you get fourteen life experiences that run the gamut of emotions, and each experience conveyed in each song, is delivered with heart and passion. These are tightly crafted, beautifully written and arranged songs, and anyone who listens will be able to relate to the themes that this band is discussing. I can’t recommend this album highly enough. It is, for certain, one of the most captivating debuts I’ve heard in a very long time. If you like good music from musicians with lots of talent and equal amounts of passion, purchase this one! You won’t regret it!

  • Great Celtic celebration --I can listen to it all day!
    author: Amira

    I need music to keep me sane while I work all day in my solo office...this one does it. I'm trying to get ready for a big trip to Ireland next summer and I tried out Rise as a way to welcome the Celtic spirit...I was rewarded by the beautiful instruments, voices and spirit of the music.

  • A compelling performance wrought with emotional impact and virtuosity
    author: Joe Ross, Bluegrass Now

    Playing Time – 64:06 -- Rise’s music is best described as highly-arranged Celtic folk rock.. The quartet hails from Scotland, specifically the Isle of Bute, a beautiful island about 15 miles long and 5 miles wide off the west coast of southern Scotland. “Uncertain Wonders” gives us a tightly crafted, innovative mix of traditional and contemporary songs mixed with haunting vocals and striking guitars, keyboards, bass and drums. Elaine McCombe is Rise’s bass player, and she is a past member of the Glasgow-based all-woman folk group Tullibardine. Percussionist Kris Manvell lays down a solid rhythmic groove and has played in many punk and rock bands in the U.K. Debbie Dawson’s voice is immediately appealing, and her passionate crooning is inspirational. Gerry Geoghegan is an eclectic musician who has clearly been infuenced by rock, folk and blues. One of Debbie and Gerry’s two duets, “Time and Tide,” illustrates how Rise blends tradition with their own individuality. The song’s verses were adapted from a song fromGeorge Petrie, the chorus was suggested by Robbie Burns, the melody is traditional yet it includes passages adapted from Led Zeppelin. Rise’s creative artistry is built around a framework of freeing their own muse. The approach allows for personal expression without belittling the very traditions that they’re stretching. Bands should take note of this successful and impressive debut effort. They’ve done it right and prove that it can be a very rewarding exercise. To reinvent tradition, I suspect that the members of Rise have lived and breathed tradition itself by knowing the music, respecting it, and appreciating the natural graces and flowing rhythms of Celtic and folk music. With this understanding of where their traditional music has come from, Rise has then incorpoarted their own life experiences and created a signature sound. The musicians’ fingerprints convey joy, sorrow, and even some occasional humor. Ten of the songs on “Uncertain Wonders” are originals. The album’s opener, “Buffalo Song” is a tale of the Native Americans and their spiritual relationship with the land and its resources. “Thinking About You” and ‘I Wonder Why” have a country-like feeling that some famous Nashville group could potentially cover and rearrange with fiddle and resonator guitar. “True Love’s Eyes” is a beautiful melodic ballad which Rise enhances with sax and chimes. “It Doesn’t Matter” provides some simple optimistic advice for humanity. “Cold Glencoe” is yet another song that recalls the 1692 massacre at Glencoe. I often wish that the Scots would find other significant historical events to sing about. Rise does a nice job with their covers of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Paul Buchanan’s “Saturday Night,” and their interpretations of the classic “Loch Lomond” and “Wild Mountain Thyme.” Despite their synthesized instrumentation, I must admit that I miss some of the aural delights that can be imparted with bouyant fiddle, pennywhistle and even some subdued bagpipes. And I wish their 24-page CD booklet would have included at least one group photo of the band. All in all, their impressionistic songs are memorable, and “Uncertain Wonders” is a perfect showcase for Rise’s earthier side. Their music conveys an understanding of the bond between land and soul. Their compelling performance is one wrought with emotional impact and virtuosity. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

  • Done a great work on a debut album.
    author: Vijay Srinivas

    Wish you all the best for future album.

  • Inventive !
    author: Laura T. Lynch of Kweevak.com

    Uncertain Wonders is the debut release from Rise an up and coming band from the west coast of Scotland. Rise blends old world traditional music and story telling with modern rock instrumentation. Rise raises Celtic folk music to a new level by merging it with a contemporary rock/pop sound. They write meaningful lyrics about nature and relationships. Their music has both a magical mystical feel that flow majestically from one song to the next. All fourteen tracks are expertly produced. The CD opens with 'Buffalo Song' a powerful tale that is reminiscent of Native American tones complete with a subtle steady beat, expert guitar work and haunting vocals. 'Think About You' is one of many songs that showcases Debbie's sweet melodic voice and wide vocal range. 'Time and Tide' ebbs and flows with harmonizing moving vocals, nice guitar work and other subtle sights and sounds. Uncertain Wonders is aptly named as this CD contains an eclectic mix of well-crafted songs. Rise is inventive and gently polishes traditional music to shine in a new and modern context.

  • Very impressive
    author: Mark Rondinelli

    I am not generally a fan of folk music and I had never heard of Rise.. unitl I happened upon a folk music show on NPR one evening. Rise was the guest and, since I like the Corrs, I listened. I then ordered the CD and have not listened to anything else for 2 weeks. I'm no music expert so I don't know if this is a cutting edge band or one that will reach stardom. All I can say is that I have never been so impressed with a CD in my life. I like every song and they seem to get better the more I listen.

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