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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
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