Review of The Double Cross in March 2006 Celtic Beat

Tempest:
The Double-Cross,Magna Carta

I will cut to the chase. This CD contains one of the greatest stateside interpretations of traditional 
tunes ever done. That Is "Cabar Feidh" performed here by both Tempest and The Wicked Tinkers. Hear the 
didge. In the annals of CeltRock history was made here. Sometimes Tempest, and The Wicked Tinkers here 
also, just ascend to another plane.

Wonderfully crazy also are the instrumentals of "Slippery Slide" composed  years ago by Tempest fiddler 
Michael Mullen which resounds with a battle royal of fiddle, bass, and guitar, and drums. And the final 
cut here" Wizard's Walk" named after the Ungar tune, but where Bach's "Violin Concerto In D", Morrison's 
"Buffyflow And Spike", and traditional tune "Tam Lin" interweave and where Michael's fiddle shines at the 
end in a feverish "Jenny Dang the Weaver."  Truly a "Wizard's Walk." Along with "Cabar Feidh" this is the 
hardest to beat tour de force of fury.

Vocal cuts I liked here were "Per Spelmann" with it's ardent singing by Lief Sorbye of an old Norwegian 
tale. And the inspirational "Whoever You Are" A light hearted rendition of a central ageless truth.

"Hangman" is also excellent and grim-pointing back to history. Indeed it is an excellent cut to be paired 
with "Captain Kidd" which is actually the title cut, referring to the "double- cross"  which in that era 
turned privateers into pirates. Both of these are appropriately dark and angry, from a dark and angry era, 
sung excellently by Lief and with Tempest's innovative instrumentals.

Tempest. You'll always be surprised and delighted with what they come up with.     -AK