On this page you'll find quotes of reviews that lately appeared in the media
Please click on the
links below to read the complete review
Clicking on the headers takes you to the respective web sites
THE SCOTS
MAGAZINE
- June '02
Scottish Cultural Magazine
"A dozen tracks exploring a wide variety of themes that are all
worth listening too,
a satisfying dish served by two top professionals"
By Alasdair Maclean
THE NEWS LEADER
- June 6, '02
Staunton, VA, USA
"Rob van Sante's considerable musical gifts have been revealed on this
project...
All kinds of subjects and settings are covered in this music. Each is evoked with
care and a deep love of the land and influences which inform
them."
By Bill Kramer (special writer)
FOLKING.COM
- June '02
British on-line Folk Magazine
"The songs are able to breathe without the excesses that could so easily have
been
employed...a well crafted, solid album."
By Pete Fyfe
THE SUNDAY HERALD - July '02
Scottish National Sunday
Newspaper
This is the latest side-project by the Battlefield Band's longest-serving
member.
Alan Reid...his songwriting craft...his voice and words form a powerful mesh, finds
him lining up with the bands sound
engineer.
Rob van Sante...emerges from behind the desk to reveal himself as a fine singer and guitarist.
By Sue Wilson
THE GREEN
MAN REVIEW - July '02
Portland, ME, USA
"Under the Blue is well-conceived, performed, and produced and will provide
a pleasant experience for listeners. Similar to numerous other albums, the arrangements
are so competently done that they might not even be noticed.
The album is not the musical powerhouse that some people expect from Scottish
music, but the songs exert an influence in ways that are less
flashy".
By Judith Gennett
THE INVERNESS
COURIER - July '02
Scotland, UK
"Eight original songs from Reid maintain his fascination with Scotland's
past,
presenting what amount to stories in musical form...the sound is simpler
and more laid-back than you would hear from the Battlefield Band."
By Jim Love
THE FOLK MAG - Aug '02
West Midlands, UK
"The
CD doesn’t aim to roar through the ears and out again.
It just quietly makes
its’ point and leaves you thinking."
By John Denny
FOLK ROOTS - Sept
'02
British National Folk, World & Roots Magazine
"Van Sante's warm
vocals harmonizes well with Reid's...
Long standing fans of Alan Reid's songs will find much to enjoy here."
By Bob Walton
THE ALL MUSIC GUIDE - Sept '02
"The two men
work together flawlessly, and though Reid wrote most of
the material and is the dominant voice, Van Sante makes important
contributions throughout the disc."
By Richard Foss
DIRTY LINEN - Dec/Jan '02/'03
"As if he's not busy enough with Battlefield Band, Alan Reid has teamed up
with the group's sound man, Rob van Sante, on a surprisingly strong duo recording
called Under the Blue."
By Jim Lee
CHASING HATS - Nov '02
"As a
Celtic music-lover, I couldn’t help but enjoy myself as I became better
acquainted with every song...If you’re in the mood to sway to songs with a lively
spirit, or to be lulled by the sweetness of the peaceful tunes, then
sample some of the songs on Under the Blue."
By Rachel Eyre
THE IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE - Oct '02
One could spend a very pleasant evening indeed in the company
of Alan and Rob, as they sing songs old and new, and set toes a-tappin' with
dance tunes of their own making and others from the tradition.
By Aidan O'Hara
RAMBLES MAGAZINE - Nov '02
The instrumental work from both men and their guests is
flawless throughout. Recommended to Celtic music fanciers everywhere.
By Chet Williamson
SLIPCUE
- Jan '03
US based online music shop with a large folk/roots section
This is an elegant, evocative record, which will hold up well
to years of repeated auditions. Recommended!
By Joe Sixpack
