Customer Reviews

Another Sky

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So, what did you expect? A BAD album from Altan! "Another Sky" deserves to be added to the list of "must have" Celtic music albums, and in my opinion rates as one of Altan's finest. While the album's instrumentals are slightly lacking in comparison to some of the band's best high energy, "can't stop your feet from tapping" fiddle-centered tunes that make previous Altan release "Island Angel" a classic in my estimation, this album is probably their strongest in terms of songs- especially those done in English as opposed to Gaelic/Irish. The group's rendition of "Green Grow the Rushes" will have the catchy lyrics stuck in your mind all day, and Mairead ni Mhaonaigh's entrancing voice can only be matched by the quality of her fiddling. I must, however, strongly disagree with "Top 100 Reviewer" Jerome Clark's assessment of the song "Island Girl" (NOT the same as Elton John's song of the same name), which I feel is heavily loaded with a powerful emotion that calls forth the memory of late band co-founder (and Mairead's husband until his tragic loss to cancer) Frankie Kennedy. To me the song is simply beautiful and in itself is worth the price of the album. To each his own! Buy the album and form your own opinion-- I wager you won't be disappointed!

Altan remains among the very finest Irish folk bands, and it just keeps getting better. Another Sky, another triumph of good taste and good music, is especially welcome at a time when many Celtic artists seem to be gravitating to less traditional sounds, with overblown pop production to match. True to its roots, Altan fashions a sound that is at once lush and spare, something only masters can pull off. Some of the songs -- "Green Grow the Rushes," "Ten Thousand Miles," "The Verdant Braes of Screen" -- may be familiar to those who know the Anglo-Celtic tradition, but they're no less welcome for that. A particular treat, and an unexpected one, is Dylan's "Girl from the North Country." Altan returns the song to the tradition -- it's essentially a reworking of the ancient ballad "Scarborough Fair" (from England's, not Minnesota's, north country)-- which inspired it. Steve Cooney's "Island Girl," on the other hand, seems out of place -- a not particularly inspired lyric and a fairly ordinary melody. One wonders what Altan saw in it. Moreover, Maircad Ni Mhaonaigh, ordinarily an assured singer, fails to shave off its sentimental edges. Still, given a host of well-chosen songs and tunes, this is a small complaint.

I adore Altan. I'd go see them live ANYtime, as they play with passion, clarity, and originality. This CD, however, doesn't quite do it for me, meaning, I have to make myself listen to it, to keep up with what one of my fave Irish bands is doing. I love the opening cut, and would love to see Altan do more vocally playful stuff like this. I must agree with the Dublin reviewer, however, about the middle-of-the-road quality of the album overall. I miss the rich,driving arrangements typical of their studio work (the sets here sound a little thin to me), and think there are too many slow ballads. (Of these, I do find "Island Girl" very moving, as it does seem to allude to Frankie. But I'd only include one of these per album.) I've always bought Altan albums on principle, without previewing, knowing I was in for a great listen. I will probably sample first, here on out.

The first time I heard Altan was on NPR. I was blown away by their stunning version of "Green Grow the Rushes." As soon as I returned home that day I looked up the album and stuck it on my wish list. It sat there for a great while. Happily, I received the disc as a Christmas present from a good friend of mine--a friend with wonderful taste in music. "Another Sky" is one of the best CD's I've heard in some time...and I'm not just saying that because it was a present. These folks can make music!

"Green Grow the Rushes" is haunting indeed. The first time I heard Altan perform it, the song was stuck in my head for days. I find this to be true of most of the songs that Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh sings on the disc. She has a beautiful voice. Although they are all great, I think my favorite song with lyrics on "Another Sky" is "Island Girl" (which is also the song that the disc takes its name from).

Two other songs that deserve special mention are "The Dispute at the Crossroads" and "Gusty's Frolicks." They are both great jigs. One can never get enough of those. The fiddle playing on this disc is excellent.

I am so glad that I received "Another Sky" for Christmas. It was well worth the wait. I give it my highest recommendation and urge you to get a copy--you won't be disappointed.

This, to me, is Altan's finest CD. The vocals are excellent, as always. The song arrangement makes it flow very well. Island Girl is a highlight, along with Green Grow the Rushes. But I especially like Mairead's beautiful singing on Eoghainin O' Ragadain. What a wonderful voice! If you like Altan, you will definitely love this CD!

Hi I am 12 and an irish dancer. Altan's new CD has the best dance music. I expecially like the set of slip jigs!

This is perhaps my least favorite Altan album -- the selections of ballads are a little weak, and don't play to what I see as the band's strengths. Of the instrumentals, the set of slip jigs is the best bit on the album, but it hardly compares to the worst parts of such gems as Harvest Storm, Island Angel, and Red Crow. Really, the main criticism is that there are only four instrumental tracks on the album, one a waltz and one a slow air; for those seeking stirring reels and jigs, you won't find that here.

I took this cd, along with about 20 others, on a trip to Ireland last March. The travel group I was with included two cars full of Irish Americans most of whom were visiting the Emerald Isle for the first time. As a surprise for those riding in the "other car" I slipped this new Altan cd in the trunk located cd holder. Later those riding in that auto remarked on how much they enjoyed the one cd in particular with the woman who has the "beautiful voice." I was not surpised because this is one of my favorite cds, and though some additional songs in irish would be nice, it is nonetheless an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. This is a fine recording by one of the best traditional Irish music groups today. Try it, you will like it.

Some might think that after so many years and albums, this seminal Donegal band is becoming too slick and/or too generic. Well, I own two other Altan discs, and this one beats both. There's a greater emphasis on vocals here, but I don't mind that because the singing is delicate, gentle and irresistable. Plus, the melodic quality of the songs is absolutely first-rate And the instrumentals still pull me along every time. There are a number of guests along for the ride(including Bonnie Raitt), but thankfully, they only add to the traditional essence of the band.

Altan's latest disc is a lovely, highly impressive addition to an already distinguished career. The production here is nothing short of exquisite. Indeed, the degree of craftsmanship that has gone into Another Sky is nothing short of amazing. The disc features a strong emphasis on songs (perhaps just a tad too much), and there is much that is memorable. Lead singer Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh's voice has rarely sounded better. It's a first-rate performance. All in all, a worthy and wonderful follow-up to the band's terrific Runaway Sunday. No wonder Altan is regarded as the kings of Celtic music.