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Altan continue to go from strength to strength. While it seemed for a little while that the 1994 death of founder Frankie Kennedy would tear the band apart, they've ended up a strong, cohesive unit instead, one which continues to push at the boundaries of Irish music, albeit in small ways. But when you're this good -- and they deserve the tag as the best Irish band today, and certainly the most accomplished -- you don't need to make giant strides. They set out their stall with an assured version of "Daily Growing" (better known as "The Trees They Do Grow High") where Maighread Ní Mhaonaigh's duet with Paul Brady recasts the song -- it retains its folk roots, but becomes a living dialogue. "The Pretty Young Girl" brings Dolly Parton into the mix. She might seem an unlikely addition, but she acquits herself very well -- and some of the roots of mountain music are in Ireland, after all. As usual, the band bounces between instrumentals and songs, with equal care given to both, and the fact that this album was largely recorded live in the studio gives it a presence that Altan hasn't managed before, with some real life in Ní Mhaonaigh's dark "Slainte Theilinn" (her fiddle playing is often overlooked because of her glorious voice; with luck, this record should put paid to that) and the jazzy take on "Comb Your Hair and Curl It" that explodes into the reel "Gweebarra Bridge" to close the record. It's fair to say that Altan has never made a bad record, but it's right to say this might well be their best to date, playing to their strengths, shoring up whatever few weaknesses they might have, and letting the music do the talking.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo
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Paul Brady, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Lunny, Arranger, Work Arranger - Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Background Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - James Blennerhassett, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Steve Cooney, Didgeridoo, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Bouzouki, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Background Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - James Blennerhassett, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Liam O'Flynn, Uilleann Pipes, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Composer, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Lunny, Arranger, Work Arranger - Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Background Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Dolly Parton, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Sproule, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger - Harry Bradley, Flute, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger - Phil Murphy, Composer
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Paul Brady, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Background Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Richie Buckley, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Anna Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Composer, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Paddy O'Brien, Composer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Sproule, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger - Harry Bradley, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Hoban, Composer
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Composer, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Composer, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Composer, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Composer, Arranger, Work Arranger - Sproule, Composer, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Composer, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Background Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Sproule, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Composer, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Neil Martin, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Lunny, Arranger, Work Arranger - Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Background Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger - Francie Mooney, Composer
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Higgins, Bodhrán Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Arranger, Work Arranger - Alistair McMillan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Bouzouki, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Arranger, Work Arranger - Ni Mhaonaigh, Arranger, Work Arranger - Tourish, Arranger, Work Arranger
(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
Altan continue to go from strength to strength. While it seemed for a little while that the 1994 death of founder Frankie Kennedy would tear the band apart, they've ended up a strong, cohesive unit instead, one which continues to push at the boundaries of Irish music, albeit in small ways. But when you're this good -- and they deserve the tag as the best Irish band today, and certainly the most accomplished -- you don't need to make giant strides. They set out their stall with an assured version of "Daily Growing" (better known as "The Trees They Do Grow High") where Maighread Ní Mhaonaigh's duet with Paul Brady recasts the song -- it retains its folk roots, but becomes a living dialogue. "The Pretty Young Girl" brings Dolly Parton into the mix. She might seem an unlikely addition, but she acquits herself very well -- and some of the roots of mountain music are in Ireland, after all. As usual, the band bounces between instrumentals and songs, with equal care given to both, and the fact that this album was largely recorded live in the studio gives it a presence that Altan hasn't managed before, with some real life in Ní Mhaonaigh's dark "Slainte Theilinn" (her fiddle playing is often overlooked because of her glorious voice; with luck, this record should put paid to that) and the jazzy take on "Comb Your Hair and Curl It" that explodes into the reel "Gweebarra Bridge" to close the record. It's fair to say that Altan has never made a bad record, but it's right to say this might well be their best to date, playing to their strengths, shoring up whatever few weaknesses they might have, and letting the music do the talking.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:14
- Main artists: Altan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Venture
- Genre: World
© 2002 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
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