Customer Reviews

Best of the Chieftains

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The title of this album is rather deceptive: it's not a selection from the Chieftains' entire catalog of recordings, but instead from the 3 albums (7, 8, and 9) that they put out on the Columbia label in the late 70's. That said, it's a worthy addition to anyone's Irish music library: it showcases the band at the pivotal point when they underwent major personnel changes and began to expand into less traditional ventures such as film scores. I've owned the three albums in question for years (and bought this one because the old vinyl was wearing out); this selection includes most of my favorite tracks from those albums, and shows what a solid, spirited, high-quality band they were from the start. (But it's instructive to compare the flute solos in the "Chase Around the Windmill" set with those from the earlier albums: with all due respect to Michael Tubridey, I feel that the addition of Matt Molloy, with his thoughtful and beautifully phrased flute playing, gave the group much more depth.)

This anthology is incredible. Irish traditional music just doesn't get any better than this! The selections are timeless, the orchestration is always perfect. Paddy Maloney's pipes and whistles really drive the music and the late great Derek Bell's brilliant Celtic harp playing is top-notch! Anyone who enjoys Irish traditional music should own this collection...preferably on CD!

If you are going to have an Irish party, this is the best music to have. The music is varied, jigs, reels and knee slapping songs that liven up any event and get you dancing.

The Chieftains have been around for nearly 50 years and have released around 40 albums. During that time they have had many changes of lineup and engaged in many collaborations and crossovers. To select tracks from just 3 albums from a 3-year period and call it 'The Best of' is misleading, to say the least. It would make a good 'Best of Vol 2', if a selection from the pre-Columbia years had been the 'Best of Vol 1'. The liner notes struggle to rationalize the selection by calling it 'an overview of a dramatic phase' in the band's history. Maybe so. The notes end by saying 'this is only a chapter in an epic tale'. Quite so.

That said, there's some first rate Irish music here, perfect for your Paddy's Day party. This is the sort of thing that, if you like this sort of thing, you'll like this. Just don't be misled into thinking you are getting 'the best of'. You are getting 'some fine examples of'.
[PeterReeve]

I love the Chieftains and I love this CD. I love it so much, I using a great many of the songs for the Prelude for my wedding.

This CD went down well (along with others of similiar theme) on recent St Pats Day
The Day started with a gathering of Family/Friends at Harrigans (Irish)Pub, at Pokolbin. Service is aways good for us, as my youngest daughter (Rebekah) is one of the Chefs there. By 1900hrs the Gathering was the BBQ in my backyard, we had been quite mellow by now. I think the daughter must have drove us here. However, amongst the celebrations of family/friends I do remember the singing/gigging to the CDs of the Chieftains.
Thankyou
Kim
p.s. I hope all those proud to be of Celtic descent, also had a happy/safe St Pats Day with Family/Friends.

"The Best of the Chieftains" is a great collection. I am not qualified to say whether the selection really is the best of their works but the depth and range of tunes is wide; each tune is terrific. I would recommend this CD very highly. I need more time to listen, absorb and learn the histories and lyrics before I could give a more detailed review.

Simply the best of the best. You cannot go wrong with this cd. Excellent work!

Ok for a best of collection, but I have enjoyed other of this group's cd more and would put this one toward the middle for purchase

I have always loved the Chieftans and owned many of their tapes/cd's and have never been disappointed until now. This cd is definately not the best of anything they've ever done. I've never even heard of these songs. Wish I could get my money back.