World > Welsh World > Scottish > Irish > British > Celtic > 1980 to 1989 > up to 5 GBP

Advantages: a crossover of traditional and modern
Disadvantages: seen as a sell out by folk purists

...album to date, Macalla. Macalla provoked a divided response amongst Clannad fans, the traditional element saw it as being a sell out as it had a contemporary and dare I say mainstream element to many of the songs. Others welcomed the more into more commercial areas. Whatever your thoughts on the direction of the music, Macalla contains a collection of haunting yet at the same time accessible songs, and Im sure many new fans were won over by this ...
...the more contemorary sounds that grab you then follow their career forward. Most people find that once you get under the skin of their music you will find both styles equally pleasing and as this is the album where it is best combined, then Macalla remains the classic Clannad album. ... Read review

Advantages: moving,different,good for pub sing alongs
Disadvantages: not for people already feeling depressed

...City of Chicago Ride On Vive la Quinta Brigada Song of Wandering Angus McIlhatton Lisdoonvarna Wicklow Hils Sonny's Dream Dying Soldier El Salvador Back Home in Derry Least We Can Do The title track is by a well known Irish songwriter from Cork called Jimmy McCarthy and includes the inimitable line "Rub your claw along my gut one last time"-you couldn't make it up if you tried could you! While I have had no idea what this song is about ...
...it as there's something very haunting about the combination of the words and the tune. There is a melancholic thread which runs through the album on the whole.For example "Viva la Quinta Brigada" sings about the Irish volunteers who went to fight in the Spanish Civil war against Franco and fascism."Dying Soldier" is about the Troubles in Ireland presumably, "Sonny's Dream" is about a father who's died and a needy mother who wants her son to stay ... Read review

Advantages: composition, vocals
Disadvantages: none

Anybody can recognize "The Girl From Ipanema", it's a classic. But where did it come from? Where did Bossa Nova spread its roots? Pianist Tom Jobim is credited for the composition of most of the classic Bossa Nova standards, but is was João Gilberto who took these standards, and interpreted on the guitar what we now identify as Bossa Nova. By harmonizing the chords on the guitar with the traditional Brazilian Samba rhythm, Gilberto evolved Jobims' ...
...virtuous, but what really captures me is his voice. He sings with a "blown" quality as if he is blowing air from his gut, which produces an intimate close-to-the-microphone sound. It's possible to hear his lips smacking dryly during the pronounciation of certain words, and he has an excellent vocal amplitude, using mostly low-pitched but well chosen notes. This album is fun to compare to his other work, as over the years his performances have become ... Read review

Advantages: Very spiritual atmosphere with perfect vocals, chorus and flute.
Disadvantages: Track 7 which feel odd to the others

...in flute solo. Incantation is voted as a best new age album of 1999 in New Age Voice Magazine. "Incantation is an exploration of my inner journey to a place of open-heartedness" Tim says. Tim has done a perfect job in his flute solo and vocals, almost all tracks with a harmonic chorus and female soprano vocals perfectly boost up a very spiritual atmosphere of the music. Some tracks add in a bit of oriental element. The highest climax of this album ...
...came to the early parts of the album and after that you may fall asleep to the rest! It should have another one or two climaxes follow up. Track to track 1 En Trance ~ 5/5 The album opening with a dramatic drum play and a strange female vocal, a nice start in a very energetic and soothing melody. Then follow by a segment of instrument play, thereafter a flute floating in the air. The flute, the percussion, the female vocal and the chorus playing ... Read review

Advantages: Pleasant pop music
Disadvantages: Some dodgy vocals, a few lacklustre numbers

I am sure I can't be the only person to wonder how that diminutive Frenchman Nicolas Sarkozy managed to hook one of the world's most beautiful women. There must be plenty of men - and perhaps women - who've dreamed of spending a cosy night in with the very gorgeous Italian actress, model and now French "First Lady", Carla Bruni. Of course, it's one thing to think about "doing it" with her; now we all know she's in the sack with HIM and frankly that's ...
...the covers. Carla Bruni may be Italian but this album is decidedly French. If you were a teenager who sniggered at the very mention of French pop music it's time to grow up and be a bit more open-minded. Even if you don't understand this album is worth a listen for the pleasing combination of simple tunes and Bruni's breathy vocals. She's not the world's greatest singer by any stretch of the imagination - she even strays from the tune here and there ... Read review