Island Angel - Altan > Reviews > There is an angel on the island

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Not applicable
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	lovely listening
Disadvantages:	?

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I first heard the band Altan in the 80’s at a festival somewhere; I saw them a few years ago in Hemel Hempstead. I have been listening to the CD Island Angel today. I like this Celtic folk rock, I find it calming and soothing the reels lively making me tap my fingers and want too dance.

Altan are
Mairead Mhaonaigh playing fiddle and vocals,
Frankie Kennedy Flute, low whistle, backing vocals,
Mark Kelly, guitar, backing vocals
Ciaran Curran, Bazouki, bazouki guitar.
Ciaran Tourish, Fiddle, backing vocals
Daithi Sproule, guitar, backing vocals

Guest musicians on Island Angel are
Dermot Byrne
Donal Lunny
Tommy Hayes
Steve Cooney
Niel Martin
Anna Ni Mhaonaigh

This C D was recorded in Dublin in1993. Island angel has 13 tracks.
The first one is three reels Tommy Peoples, The Windmill and Finian Mc Manus’s all are composed in a traditional style. Really good finger tapping toe tapping stuff cheerful making you want to get up and dance.

Track 2 is Brid Og Ni Mhaille this is sung in Irish and although I cannot understand the words it is a mournful a beautiful song sung sweet. It is about a young man who is left broken hearted after his secret love marries another.

Track 3 is 4 reels. Fermanagh highland, Donal Highland, John Doherty’s, King George 1V reels. These are jolly reels to lift the spirit after the last heart ripping song.

Track 4 An Mhaighdean Mhara Is another song sung in Irish. Again I do not understand the words but it feels a sad song it is sung to simple guitar playing.
The song is about as mermaid who leaves her husband when her children find her crown hidden away by her husband years ago. This is a tender wistful song.

Track 5 Some more jigs to get you lively again.

Track 6. Some reels are joined together here on this track no vocals.

Track 7 another song Dulaman in Irish again. This is a jolly children’s rhyme about seaweed collecting.

Track 8 Mazurka Another jolly reel.

Track 9 the jug of punch. This is a song this one in English it celebrates the life and death of a jolly soul

Track 10 The Glory reel / The Heather crunch this is quite a fast reel my fingers typing in time it’s a bit fast really. A traditional reel cheerful foot tapping reel makes me want to get up and dance

Track 11
An Cailin Gaelach a mournful song sung in Irish

Track 12 Drumnagarry, Pirrie wirrie, Big Johns Three more reels, these are again very jolly I like the way this CD has a few jigs or reels then a change of tempo to a sad song then back into a cheerful reel or jig

The last track 13 Aingeal An Oilreain, Angel Island the title track this is a gentle wistful air no vocals to finish the CD.

I really like this CD if you like Irish music it is defiantly worth finding and listening to this. Listening to it makes me feel I really must go and listen to some live music this half term I think Altan are playing in Camden town on the 29th October I think I shall have to check that out.

Thanks for reading Mary