Customer Reviews

Clannad: Greatest Hits

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4 star:		(8)
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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Made in USA in 2000, Serial# 07863-67878-2, Playing Time 69:52

Calling this a "Greatest Hits" is perhaps an exaggeration. Yes, it contains 4 tracks found on almost every CLANNAD compilation ("Theme From Harry's Game", "Now Is Here", "In A Lifetime" and "Something To Believe In").

The tracks on this CD come from 4 albums released between 1983 and 1987, namely "Magical Ring", "Legend", "Macalla" and "Sirius". CLANNAD have left the RCA stable back in 1989 to go over to ATLANTIC, so the material presented here is over 10 years old: it still sounds fresh.

Back in 1997, RCA released a compilation called "Rogha" that focused on the very same 4 albums, containing 19 of the 40 tracks released over the 4 albums.

The present compilation has 7 tracks in common with "Rogha" (specifically tracks 1,2,11,12,13,14 and 17), which leaves us with another 11, for a total of 30 out of the 40.

Just like it's "predecessor", the music included here is charming and soothing, a nice complement to "Rogha". The genre is not as celtic as their earlier albums: vocals are sung in english, and the violin and/or sax is generally absent from the arrangements: mostly acoustic guitars, percussions, with rich keyboard textures, and great vocal arrangements. If those 4 albums are missing from your collection, I would suggest you either get them all, or both compilations.

It's now time for me to turn out the lights, and be transported back to my dreams...

Yes, there are seven cuts in common between this album and Rogha, and yet each CD does have its own sound. This makes this an excellant introduction to the group, Clannad, as also is Rogha. The difference, as has been mentioned in another review, is that this compilation presents the groups absolute essential cuts along with great cuts that emphasize the newer new age facet of their work, while if you're looking for stronger celtic flavor, you would prefer the other one. Those that are, IMHO, the strongest new age and best are "Scarlet Inside", "The Wild Cry" (really great instrumentation here), "Turning Tide" (bird like warbling and strong dramatic sense), and the concluding number, "Many Roads".

This collection features some of Clannad's best songs from the 80's, from their albums "Magical Ring", "Legend", "Macalla", and "Sirius". It opens with Clannad's greatest hit, "Harry's Game", and includes their second greatest hit, "In A Lifetime." This collection also shows a wide variety of Clannad's music. It has traditional tracks like "Buachaill An Eirne", "Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair" and "Ta Me Mo Shui". It has many rock/pop tracks like "Skellig", "The Wild Cry", "Something To Believe In," and many others. There also are two instrumental tracks, "Lady Marian" and "The Fairy Queen". Inside the booklet you will also find a biography, talking all about Clannad's whole history from the beginning and to through the 80's, perhaps the best overview of Clannad. This is a very good sample of Clannad's best music and will have a good place in your Clannad collection.

Barnes and Noble, Circuit City, Cat's, Sam Goody, Best Buy, all of these stores are filled with thousands of CDs, and I find Clannad at Wal-Mart of all places? Thrilled as I am, it's still a bit of a shock. I had only seen Clannad albums online, and downloaded MP3s of their music before finding and immediately buying this collection. All who have taken any interest at all in the new age genre (those of you who will be reading this review) are already familiar with Maire Brennan, and most because of her more famous sister, Enya. Clannad seem to be in themselves legendary for international celtic music. Enya probably heads that particular genre in the mainstream, but may be bested by Maire and Clannad in talent. Personally, I prefer Clannad's music AND Maire's voice to the more symphonic Enya. The best tracks on this album seem to be the often acoustic ones, such as "Many Roads", "I See Red", "Coinleach Ghlas An Fhomhair", and others. My favorite song on the entire album is unquestionably "Skelling". A true celt talking about the viking ships and a "King of the World" suits me just perfectly. As for a comparison between Enya and Clannad, here's what I would tell you: Maire's voice is very defined, she has her very own sound, whereas Enya sounds like there are three or four of her singing. Maire's voice is stronger, louder, and definitly more personal.Clannad's music is more pop-oriented, complete with horns, acoustic guitars, keys, slow drums, etc. It's much more interesting in aspects of a rock or pop album than it is a relaxation tape, which is basically Enya's style. If you enjoy new age at all (Will Ackerman, Acoustic Alchemy) then let Amazon.com ring this one up for you right now. It's a great listen.

Regardless of the decade these songs were created in, they are TIMELESS. The entire blend is a wonderful one -- the instramentals are very well done, the vocals and harmony are enchanting & haunting at the same time. The music is both relaxing and/or invigorating as well -- depending on your mood. I enjoy this CD when driving, resting, or during my own artistic efforts. In fact, a creative person may find, as I have, that these melodies enhance the creative process. This music blends effortlessly with your life, enhancing it. The melodies make you want to sing with them. I can't recommend this CD highly enough. If you like etherial, Celtic/Irish music this CD is a must for your collection.

This cd, which is at least the 3rd collection of theirs, is really pretty good, but roughly the same as the others. I remember when I first got this, I expected more of an "Enya" sound, since she does have family in "Clannad". But this actually is not so much new age, as it is some traditional and pop. Alot sounds more like "The Corrs" or "Secret Garden", than it does "Enya". Still very good of course. Smooth, mellow, and mostly relaxing. One thing I don't understand is why my favorite song "I Will Find You" (Theme from Last of the Mohicans) isn't on here, or any other collection. That is only on "Banba", as far as I know. Overall this is a very nice listen, just fairly interchangable with everything else they've done.

I love this CD! As a huge fan of Celtic music, this CD lived up to my expectations. The soothing sounds and haunting vocals offered an ethereal quality that truly touched my spirit.

I love this CD. The music is transforming. Buy this and others like it and you wont be disappointed.

It's amazing that in current times Enya is more famous than Clannad, when in the beginning Enya was simply a member of the Clannad family. It goes to show the power of the Lord of the Ring movie series, with Enya providing elven music to the soundtrack. Clannad, and its celtic roots, is where this all began.

Enya fans might find the Clannad Greatest Hits a little too traditional, not New Agey enough. Ironically, traditional Celtic music fans might complain that there is too little Gaelic singing here, too much done in English! It goes to show the range of interest there is even in the "celtic New Age" corner of the world. For me, Clannad is just about perfect. It fits the merging of the traditional Celtic themes with the gentle soothing tones of drifting calm.

Harry's Game is the perfect place to start. This was the theme for a famous show about IRA issues. The song is short but haunting. The same is true for two other TV themes, both done for the Robin Hood BBC TV show. I loved this pagan Robin series, and have it on DVD. Robin and Lady Marian both evoke the love these two had for each other and their roots in their native traditions.

Some songs are instrumental pieces, others involve voices, but all draw you into a lilting, almost ethereal world of Celtic beauty. These aren't fast fiddle pieces that make you whirl. They are intricately crafted, delicate whispers that make you think of foggy evenings, of the drifting intertwining of the world of humans and faeries. There is longing and love, the comfort of a warm home, the security of a loyal partner.

It's always hard to choose a "best" album for any band. There are many other Clannad songs I adore that aren't in this set. Still, this is a great introduction to the band. If you don't have any Clannad CDs yet, this is a fine place to start. Learn what they're all about, and then begin expanding your horizons to other CDs. You won't be disappointed!

Highly recommended.

Like other reviewers here, I first knew about this group through their 'I will find you' sound track. I went out and bought the CD, and glad I did. I then bought few more of Clannad's, but nothing matched this one. This is a unique album that was made with passion. As a whole, it is very romantic. There is something enigmatic about a song with lyrics I don't understand, yet the music tells it all. Those tracks with English words are simply beautiful, almost poetic.I've worn out my CD copy like the other reviewer, and am in need to buy a new one.