Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
With its roots in the traditional sound of De Danaan, Arcady waited four years after their debut to release Many Happy Returns, and a happy return it is indeed. With its focused Irish approach, relaxed and sparkling musicianship, this is an album that stands as an unalloyed joy, and a benchmark of Irish music amid all the "Celticisms" that have abounded. In vocalist Niamh Parsons, the band discovered an astonishing talent, with a warm, slightly husky voice strongly reminiscent of Sandy Denny. Her rendition of "The Rocks of Bawn" is nothing less than quietly glorious, and even the bed of synthesizer tones fails to sound cheap and cheesy underneath. The six-piece group is heavily augmented, but, once again, it's done with superb taste, like Neil Martin's cello contributions (not an instrument generally associated with Irish music). The jogs and reels are thankfully not taken at breakneck, frenetic speed, and founder Johnny McDonagh leads from behind with his bones and bodhran percussion, letting Nicholas Quemener, Conor Keane, and Brendan Larrissey weave their magic upfront. The result is little short of perfect, especially when Parsons' magical voice is added to the mix. If you want to get near to Celtic heaven, try "The Banks of the Lee," which alone is worth the price of admission. They really don't come any better than this.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Arcady, Writer, MainArtist
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 2005 Shanachie
Album review
With its roots in the traditional sound of De Danaan, Arcady waited four years after their debut to release Many Happy Returns, and a happy return it is indeed. With its focused Irish approach, relaxed and sparkling musicianship, this is an album that stands as an unalloyed joy, and a benchmark of Irish music amid all the "Celticisms" that have abounded. In vocalist Niamh Parsons, the band discovered an astonishing talent, with a warm, slightly husky voice strongly reminiscent of Sandy Denny. Her rendition of "The Rocks of Bawn" is nothing less than quietly glorious, and even the bed of synthesizer tones fails to sound cheap and cheesy underneath. The six-piece group is heavily augmented, but, once again, it's done with superb taste, like Neil Martin's cello contributions (not an instrument generally associated with Irish music). The jogs and reels are thankfully not taken at breakneck, frenetic speed, and founder Johnny McDonagh leads from behind with his bones and bodhran percussion, letting Nicholas Quemener, Conor Keane, and Brendan Larrissey weave their magic upfront. The result is little short of perfect, especially when Parsons' magical voice is added to the mix. If you want to get near to Celtic heaven, try "The Banks of the Lee," which alone is worth the price of admission. They really don't come any better than this.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 01:06:39
© 2005 Shanachie ℗ 1995 Shanachie
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.