Customer Reviews

First Album: 1975

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To amplify a bit on the two reviews that clashed a bit:

It's important to remember that the Bothies and Planxty were pioneers at the time. They each added to the tradition in different ways. The Bothy Band added a drive and percussive sound that has come to be identified with Irish traditional music -- indeed, many people who only know the more modern bands and artists such as Lunasa and Altan are almost shocked to hear the pure-drop stuff now, as it generally has no accompaniment like guitars or bodhrans or basses or such. Each were pioneers in the 70's and changed much about the face of traditional Irish music.

Altan, now, is a wonderful band. Paddy Keenan said (in a Irish Music Magazine interview in Sept. 2000) that it's groups like Altan and Dervish that are now holding open the door, "opening the gateways, bringing the music to new audiences and putting their own mark on it, which is the way the tradition should evolve."

Irish traditional musicians and fans Who Know still revere and love The Bothy Band. Without The Bothies and Planxty, groups like Altan and Dervish arguably could not exist.

If the Bothy band ever announces a reunion gig in Ireland, I'll be on the fastest plane over there. Like the Beatles, they didn't have many years together, but what years they were, and what an influence they had! Their music became the benchmark for anything "celtic" that came after it. You simply can't own a collection of Irish music without including the Bothy Band.

I still remember hearing their first album for the first time back in 1977. I envy any of you the sense of exhileration you feel when you discover something real. You won't look back.

The Bothy Band lasted only a few years in the mid-1970's, but its influence on contemporary Irish music is indelible. Its personnel went on to distinguished careers: the O Domhnaill brother-and-sister team anchored the groups Relativity and Nightnoise, Tommy Peoples (who appeared with the Bothies on this album only) made a number of solo and duo recordings, Kevin Burke (who succeeded him) has recorded with several groups including his own Patrick Street, and Matt Molloy joined the Chieftains. This recording captures a group of outstanding musicians just coming into their own individually, and the combination is electric. As the late Frankie Kennedy of Altan remarked, they played the tunes straightforwardly, but "they had the fire in their bellies" ... and it's nowhere more evident than on this album.

To say that I was shocked when I read the review of this album comparing it to Planxty and Altan would be an understatement. All three bands the first of their genre. Each has been unique because, in the broader catagory of "traditional folk music" they have managed to be truly inovative. This album, I remember well when it was releasd, was REVOLUTIONARY because of the fusion of driving rock like rythmns and traditional tunes. It turned everybodies head. To say that this was the most important album of the traditional celtic folk revival would not be far off the mark. Trust me. I was there!

The members of the Bothy Band flew straight and high over the "Traditional Purist" versus "Contemporary Celtic Rock" divide when they formed and recorded this album. The musicians are all gifted, dues paid traditional troubadours of impeccable musical lineage, the songs and dance tunes are all of pukka ancestoral origin, the instruments are all acoustic and untouched by semi-conductor - yet this album sometimes out rocks rock n' roll itself. (Ever wonder where the syncopated rhythm and compulsive, urging beat of music in "The River Dance" originated? Well, it was first heard here.) When it's not doing that, it's tugging at the heart strings with the most tender, sublime and evocative interpretations, arrangements and subtle musicianship. The only problem with owning this album is that (with the exception of the other Bothy Band recordings) most other traditional Gaelic or Celtic music recordings that you may have will lose some of their lustre; some musicianship that you previously thought of as genius may begin to sound ordinary.

I bought a vinyl copy of this album back in 1977 several years after it came out on the old Polydor label. I was immediately awestruck by the energy and power of this band and that opinion hasn't diminished over the years. This album is an absolute classic that outshines music and artists of other genres with the kinetic power that energizes this music. Sheer inspiration and incredible musicianship propel this marvelous music into heights that are seldom attained. This description comes across as hyperbole, but if you listen you'll see that it's true.

I feel cheated for having been directed to this masterpiece so early in my exploration of Irish music; so much since has been a disappointment. The energy of the jigs makes most heavy metal seem tame, just as the beauty of the ballads eclipses more produced genres. This is a fabulous album.

for me, this album along with others from various musicians and bands inspired me to get into playing and appriciating celtic music and i would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the evolution of of this great music.

The Bothy Band's First album is a must have for all those who love Irish traditional music.

I am a french beginner fiddler coming from bluegrass and old time. Some weeks ago, I've decided to listen to irish music and after a few research, I've selected this album for the beginning of this musical journey... What a good choice !
The energy of this band is unbelievable. The sound of Tommy People fiddle is a pure delight. His donegal style full of those scratchy bowed triplets finds here a perfect backup.

This is among the best records I'v ever heard.

I've also listened to Planxty, and I must say that I strongly pregfer the Bothy's band.