Customer Reviews

De Danann Collection

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

 

 

I am rating this CD at 5 stars due to the jigs and reels being some of the finest Irish folk music to be heard on CD. If you have a Celtic CD collection, this one belongs next to the Bothy Band and Cheiftans, their contemporaries back in the late 1970's. The CD starts with an old time favorite, Cuckoo's Nest(set), with a strong banjo lead. The team work among the players is apparent through Conlon's Jig (set), Coleraine Jig (set), Kitty's Wedding (set), the Teatotaler (set), and Morrison's (set). There is strong lead playing of banjo, concertina, and fiddle, but what is most impressive is several musicians following the same notes as they rip through a jig or reel. Last but not least, this CD has the reknowned Tommy O'Donough on the Bodhran, or Irish drum. He is a real pioneer in using the backslide technique on the back of the drum head for altering the pitch. This provides a unique rhythm and bounce to the music that is sometimes missing in groups that do not believe in percussion. On the strength of these tracks, I would highly recommend this CD for any Celtic music fan, as you may not find this "pub" playing style in too many places elsewhere.

I don't think De Dannan could play a bad note if they intended to. I found my foot tapping with every song -- a bit embarrassing, as I was listening at work! I was a little less impressed with the vocals than I've been with other of their disks, (with the exception of the very funny "I'm Leaving Tipperary," sung by Frankie Gavin himself), but I thought the inclusion of American Tin Pan Alley "Irish" was a clever touch. A fun collection, brilliantly played.

If you like your Irish music at breakneck speeds, this is the group for you. The compilation is a sort of "best of," but at only thirteen songs leaves out plenty of good material. Missing are some of the playful sets with music from Handel (yes, Handel), Jewish Klezmer music, and bluegrass. Still, it's a useful introduction to the wide range of Irish music that De Dannan covers. There are the traditional Irish tunes and medleys, ballads and a few music hall numbers as well. And of course there's the incomparable cover of The Beatles' "Hey Jude." The bargain price comes at cost, however. There are no liner notes or musician lists for the songs, although if you've been following De Dannan's career you can probably figure out that Maura O'Connell is singing on "Maggie" and Frankie Galvin (the lead fiddler) singing on "I'm Leaving Tipperary." Pay special attention to the amazing bodhrán player Ringo McDonagh. (The bodhrán is a frame drum played in the upright position with a short stick called a tipper.) You'd swear McDonagh was playing with fours hands instead of one.