Best of [Original recording remastered]

The Dubliners | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000060P32
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,155 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When the Bishop of Cork tried to ban the Dubliners from his city in 1967 because he objected to their risqué ballad "Seven Drunken Nights," it had the unintended effect of turning the group into underground heroes and the song into a top 10 hit in England. The Dubliners proved to be more than one-hit wonders, however, and their blend of raucous barroom vocals with traditional instruments such as fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, and tenor banjo was revolutionary, serving as an inspiration to bands like De Danann and the Pogues, among many others. The 16 songs on The Best of the Dubliners were recorded in 1967 and 1968, and practically all of them, from Luke Kelly's stirring take on the rebel classic "The Rising of the Moon" to Ronnie Drew's lament about "The Pub with No Beer"--which he sings in an unbelievably raw, croaking voice--are now considered classics of the ballad tradition. The Best of the Dubliners captures the band at its bawdy, brawling, boozy, and altogether glorious peak. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Irish music..., April 13, 2002

By 

William M. Feagin "music dealer/geek" (Upstate New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

This was my introduction to the Dubliners...and what an introduction it was! This compilation covers the band's two LPs for Epic, "A Drop of the Hard Stuff" (1967) and "More of the Hard Stuff" (1968). As soon as I heard "Seven Drunken Nights," I knew I had heard it before (as performed by Steeleye Span, the song was entitled "Four Nights Drunk" and performed in an old-timey style); it is truly one of the best, funniest Irish pub songs out there ("Ah, ye're drunk, ye're drunk, ye silly ould fool! Still ye cannot see..."), and Ronnie Drew's rough voice is the perfect voice for singing it. He reminds me of nothing so much as an Irish Tom Waits, who could easily do the arrangement of "The Old Triangle" that is included on this CD.

Luke Kelly sings on most of the tracks here, a powerful, passionate voice that gets across all the hope, power and glory of songs like "A Nation Once Again," "Muirsheen Durkin'" and Ewan MacColl's "I'm a Free-Born Man." All the more shame that he passed away in 1984 of cancer. The late Ciaran Bourke, also an original member, lends his lead vocals to "Drink it Up, Men." All in all, not a wasted track on this whole disc, and those wishing to explore further should also check out the double set "The Transatlantic Anthology."

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Irish Lads!, April 5, 2008

By 

Retro Man (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

A very traditional Irish CD full of bold songs and ballads. I enjoy it immensely. I feel like I'm in Ireland every time I play it!!!