I'm Ontario born, and Ontario bred, and when I die I'll be Ontario dead..but GBS nailed My southern Ontario ass to the wall when I first heard UP,and I've been hooked ever since. Do what you do so well, because you do it THAT well.... I've had many Newfoundland friends over the years, and now I understand the Newfoundland soul, that much better....your Music is Canada, Scotland,Ireland,Wales, England and so far beyond,, that it can only be called NEWFOUNDLAND!
Ross W: I first heard of Great Big Sea on an album called Atlantic Standards. It was an album I picked up at a Barnes and Noble in St Paul, Minnesota and I have been a fan ever since. I finally found a copy of Fortune's Favor at the same store and it is by far one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. I've enjoyed every song on this album but the best of the bunch are England, Banks Of Newfoundland and Company of Fools. I have been a fan of groups like the Chieftans and The Clancy Brothers for a long time and This album has propelled Great Big Sea into the same grouping as those I have mentioned. I am looking forward to your next album and will continue to enjoy all of your albums that I do have.
Krista: Well we just bought the Cd and played it the first time today! I have printed out the lyrics and am signing along!!! I love it love it love it!! Also love the DVD that comes with it. Thanks guys for making a bit of a different yet the same GREAT BIG SEA!! OH YEAH!!
Richard C: With the new studio release by Great Big Sea it seems that we have all found Fortune's Favour. This is a collection of marvelous songs(mostly, more on that in a minute). From the opening "Love Me Tonight" to "Heart of Stone" this album brims with vintage and sure to be classic GBS tunes. Be forewarned, this isn't just another Great Big Sea album, it is Great Big Sea to the power of 10. The sound is bigger, the drumming more aggressive, the arrangements more lush and the production value slicker and it all seems exactly right. This may be album number 9 in 15 years, but it sounds as new and fresh as anything the band has done. Listening to this album, one gets that sense that this could be THE album that launches this band into the wider universe where they belong. Now a couple of complaints...12 of the albums 14 tracks are better than anything else you will hear this year from any band. I nitpick on "Oh Yeah" and "Straight to Hell" (sorry, Alan) two tracks which seem overly indulgent and misplaced. As apt replacements, visit your local iTunes and pick up "Wandering Ways" a sort of post-coital sequal to "The Jolly Butcher" and the bouncy, charming and ironic "Metrobus" both of which will stick chords (pun intended) with longtime GBS fans.
Kim: I have to admit when I first heard Fortune's Favour I was a little disappointed. But being the Great Big Sea guru that I am, I have been an avid fan of the boys since the bar days in St. John's, I decided to give the CD another try, which turned into another and another. While there are still some songs that I am not too fond of, but I dare you to find one full CD where every song is your favorite, overall I LOVE this newest effort from the boys. While many of the songs are more, as Alan puts it for the kids to listen to on their ipods (watch the video or podcasts), it still has an overall traditional as performed by Great Big Sea flavour. Awesome work!!!
Shona: A bit of a different feel than what we're used to, but it's awesome! I love Company of Fools, Oh Yeah and Straight to Hell. It's cool to hear a different side of the boy's voices!
Chantal V: I love this album. There is a mix of original GBS sound to Rock to almost sounding like the beatles on one song. A little for everyone. Good mix of slow and high energy songs. Can't wait to hear them live! Great job, guys!!
Krista E: To make it short and sweet, Fortune's Favour has to be the best album that Great Big Sea has done in a while, sort of reminds me of Something Beautiful*. I'll admit that I can't listen to all the songs on all the cds, but Fortune's Favour is the excpetion. Great job on the album b'ys, you really outdid yourselves.
Wendy G: Luv the entire CD. Great mix of music, some that makes me home sick for the "Tropical Island Of Newfoundland" & other songs that will definitely be on the radio. Well done lads! I'm torn between "Walk On The Moon" & "England" so will have to say they are both AWSOME! Thanks for all your hard work, can't wait to see you in London!
Amanda S: After 15 years, and nine studio albums. Twelve pieces of media altogether. Fortune's Favour has risen to the top of my favourites list! From the rough sound of "Oh Yeah" the carnival feel of "Company of Fools" or the folky feel of "England" this album has it all, yet its very different from anything i've heard before. Its a fresh new sound for Great Big Sea in my opinion, and they hit the nail on the head. Alan's vocals on "Strait to Hell" and "Oh Yeah" are very "rock 'n' roll" and it suits him. Of course its always nice to hear Bob's vocals on "Banks of Newfoundland". And you can never go wrong with Sean. This album in my opinion is some of their best work, being out done only by their Something Beautiful album. Its always a good thing when a band can do something new and fresh. It keeps their fans and audiences both on their feet. I cant wait to see them in concert on their Fortune's Favour tour!!!
Anna: Fortune's Favour is heavy on the pop, which will put it over on the side of the discography that includes Sea of No Cares, Something Beautiful*, and to a lesser degree, Turn. However, this release has an atypical and unique style going for it, which I'm sure can be attributed to GBS letting someone else produce it for them. I suspect many fans may wrinkle their noses and go "it's different! Scares me!" Me? I like it. Yeah yeah yeah, I know, I'm biologically incapable of disliking a Great Big Sea album. ;) But that said, I hear only one track on this thing that didn't grab me in at least one interesting way, and in at least three different places, this thing has made me blink just because of stylistic choices that are so different from what GBS has done in the past that it surprised me to hear them. I highly approve of being surprised. It's the willingness to experiment and try new things with their music that I hope with all my heart will keep the B'ys vital and engaging musicians for many more years to come. I'm pretty sure that this album won't dethrone the mighty The Hard and the Easy and the even mightier Rant and Roar for my all-time favorite GBS albums ever. But that said, I'm finding it a good solid listen and am delighted to have it join my collection. Here's to us all having a little more fortune in our lives!
Julia M: WOW. Another great hit. I have it on repeat at work and really have just been drinking it up. I am sitting here just absorbing it all. Letting it soak in and really get into it and become one with the music. I love it. It is a good mix or soft and rock, and traditional. Well balanced.
Tammie C: This album is absolutley amazing. It has a great blend between the traditional Great Big Sea sound and the rocker side of the boys that we knew they had within. I can hardly wait to see such songs as "Oh Yeah" and "Straight to Hell" performed live by the group. Great Job!
Adam S: I have listened to my new CD several times. I've watched my DVD twice. I find the grandness in scale for this album to exceed all previous. Great Big Sea is the biggest "kitchen party " on earth, and Fortune's Favour is that large in scope and scale. As I listen and watch, I find myself no longer at home or in my car but traveling the wide world over. The sound is bigger. The words are timeless. The album is not so much a collection of songs as it is a retelling of history, a commentary on today, with a seer's eyes to the future. In September they will be playing near me, and this year, come hell, high water, and the end of days, I will see the boyos in concert and dance and sing along with all the rest. If this were their last album, it would be a fantastic set of songs to say goodbye with, but Lord-willin, they will go on making albums til we're all old and silver-haired. WELL DONE!!!
Ashley: The new album is a great addition to anyone who has been listening to Great Big Sea since their beginning or for anyone who has recently found this band. Traditional songs are present and under Hawksley, the band has created some surprising, original, beautiful songs! A beautiful album!
Alan G: Just got Fortune's Favour in the mail a day BEFORE the release date (which is even more amazing considering I live in the southern U.S.). I love that the band is back to doing both traditional AND original songs. This disc is so much fun; the band seems to have really challenged themselves musically and it's paid off. And their love of Newfoundland can be found throughout--their home is mentioned by name in no less than four tracks. Great job!!