AltanCountry of origin:Ireland Type of music generally:Traditional Irish folk Status:Most recent release, The Gap of Dreams (2018) See also:The Altan page Comparisons:Less New Age-y than Clannad, rather like the Irish equivalent of early Capercaillie (back when they were traditional rather than pop) Covers/own material:Mostly traditional material General comments:They are a traditional Irish band, with lots of reels, jigs, and hornpipes (that is, Irish instrumentals of varying speeds) and the occasional traditional song. I love the twin fiddles that often take the lead in the music, which also has flute, bouzouki, and accordion. I don't have all the Altan discs, but I have a bunch, and enjoy them all. I believe the later ones are stronger than the earlier ones. (neal) Comments about live performance:Altan was absolutely amazing! There's a reason so many fans of Irish traditional music consider Altan to be the greatest (modern) band in the genre...they are absolutely brilliant. I didn't see them perform live for the first time until after Frankie Kennedy had passed away, and I find it hard to actually imagine how glorious their live shows must have been when he was with them when I see how amazing they are these days. I'm a big fan of the flute and whistle in Irish trad, so the fact that I can be so utterly blown away by a band that doesn't have a flute player is always a surprise to me. Recommended first album:Any Recordings:
Horse With a HeartRelease info:1989—Green Linnet Records—GLCD 1095 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Mairéad ní Mhaonaigh—fiddle and vocals Guest artists:Phil Cunningham—keyboards, whistle Produced by:Phil Cunningham Comments:A lovely, traditional album with a good blend of sad songs and upbeat, dance tunes. (JoAnn Whetsell) The Red CrowRelease info:1990—Green Linnet (U.S.)—GLCD 1109 Availability:Wide in the U.S. Ecto priority:Recommended for lovers of acoustic Celtic folk Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—fiddle, vocals Guest artists:Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh—bodhrán, bones Produced by:P.J. Curtis Comments:Album is about 40/60 songs/tunes. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh has a stunning, clear voice. The fiddle playing is great, but I bought this because I love Mairéad's voice. The songs have emotion without being sappy. (Neile) Harvest StormRelease info:1992—Green Linnet Records (U.S.)—GLCD 1117 Availability:Wide in U.S. Ecto priority:Recommended for lovers of Celtic folk Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—fiddle, vocals Guest artists:Dáithí Sproule—guitar Produced by:P.J. Curtis Comments:For my tastes this is even better than The Red Crow because there seem to be more songs. Mairéad's vocals are lovely. (Neile) Island AngelRelease info:1993—Green Linnet Records (U.S.)—GLCD 1137 Availability:Wide in U.S. Ecto priority:Recommended for lovers of Celtic folk Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—vocals, fiddle Guest artists:Dermot Byrne—accordion Produced by:Brian Masterson and Altan Comments:This album has some of the best Irish fiddle tunes I've heard in a long time, with nice arrangements and virtuosic performances. A couple of well-sung songs as well (and this from a man who doesn't like most Irish songs). (relph@presto.ig.com) BlackwaterRelease info:1997 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended for lovers of Celtic folk Comments:The first album without Frankie Kennedy, and the first with Dermot Byrne as a full-time member of the band. The result is different from past efforts, but still wonderful. (mcurry@io.com) The Best of AltanRelease info:1997—Green Linnet Records—GLCD 1177-1 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaighh—vocals, fiddle Guest artists:Phil Cunningham—keyboards, whistle Produced by:Dónal Lunny, Phil Cunningham, P.J. Curtis, Brian Masterson, and Altan Comments:This 2-disc retrospective of the band's first 10 years showcases the traditional side of Altan's music, both in the studio and live. A good place to start for people unfamiliar with their music, and a nice addition for fans. (JoAnn Whetsell) Runaway SundayRelease info:1997—Virgin Records—7243 8 44559 2 7 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—vocals, fiddle Guest artists:Stephen Cooney—fretless bass, didgereedoo Produced by:Altan and Alastair McMillan Comments:Lively and energetic. More traditional and instrumentals than on their later albums. One of my favorites of Altan's. (JoAnn Whetsell) Another SkyRelease info:2000—Narada World (Virgin)—72438-48838-2-9 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—fiddle, vocals Guest artists:Steve Cooney—bass, nylon string guitar Produced by:Altan Comments:Ballad-heavy, so it's slower and more sedate than some of their other albums, but still lovely. (JoAnn Whetsell) The Blue IdolRelease info:2002—Narada World—72438-11955-2-9 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Guest artists:Jim Higgins—bodhrán Produced by:Altan Comments:Another great album. Half the album is instrumentals, mostly upbeat and energetic. The other half consists of tuneful ballads, 3 in English, 3 in Irish. (JoAnn Whetsell) The Best of Altan: The SongsRelease info:2003—Narada, World (VIrgin) Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for Altan fans or those who like traditional Irish songs Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—fiddle, vocals Guest artists:Jerry Douglas—dobro (1) Produced by:Rich Denhart—executive producer Comments:A terrific collection if you especially like Altan's songs or prefer traditional songs to the usual mix of songs and tunes. These are drawn from their later albums, Blackwater (1996), Runaway Sunday (1997), Another Sky (2000), and The Blue Idol (2002). (Neile) Local GroundRelease info:2005—Narada—72438-75927-2-8 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh—fiddle, vocals Guest artists:Dónal Lunny—guitar Produced by:Altan Comments:Local Ground doesn't break any new ground, but it's an awfully nice place to spend time. It's a mostly upbeat, very spirited collection of songs that moves seamlessly from song to song, blending instrumentals and vocal tracks. The band is equally good at both. Altan manages to make traditional music non-traditional. They sound contemporary without adding pop inflections to the music. Highly recommended for all fans of Celtic sounds, traditional or modern. (JoAnn Whetsell) Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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