Customer Reviews

Fuaim

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although one review says otherwise, I think this is the only Clannad album with Enya's voice on it...the other one has her on instruments, but not vocals. Be that as it may, this is one terrific album for Irish music...but there are great touches of low down blues and other musical elements...and, of course, young Enya who's good on cut 5 and terrific on cut 11.

I am mostly a fan of the more New Agey Clannad but I do find this album to be amusing. This marks the point of where Clannad take a turn to the more pop new age sound that would define their later sound after this. This album is mosly a more traditional Irish folk sounding one but with some Western instruments that signaled the turn they would make later on.

The titles are confusing so it's a little difficult for me to break down this review into each individual track like I usually do when writing positive reviews.

An Tull is a rather happy popppy folk song. Fans of this kind of Clannad may not like songs like the airy Ri Na Cruinne, Anam or the ominous Mohicans Theme. The Green Fields Of Ghaothdobhair is a rather jazzy track that sounds similar to In A Lifetime. Na La Gaoithe La Na Scoilbe is my favorite song on this CD. It has some chants that would be the blueprint of their more haunting material. This song is over six minutes long and is like several songs in one. It starts off with mostly wobbly keyboards. The chanting then starts up. Then it becomes a mostly acoustic guitar song similar to Cad Sin Don Te Sin from Banba and then becomes a jazzy pop song with beautiful flutes.

This would be the last folk sounding album of theirs. For those who are mostly folk music lovers this might have been their last good album but hey I like both their more folk material as well their more New Age pop music as well. I recommend this album Even though it is only 35 minutes long.

Fuaim in comparison to later albums by Clannad is the bridge from which the subtle, playful vocals & instrumentation mastered in the love of their Gaelic tradition had begun to transcend the grounds of the past with the borders of the future. In other words, this album shows the beginning in which Clannad had a strong understanding in blending the electric energy and flow of pop with the earthy, textured roots of Irish music.

This album is lighthearted and sentimental. Its not heavy and is a great listen for those that are smitten with the happy bug. I am sure even if you were sad, putting on this album would make you tingle with the warm fuzzies.

Honestly, I can't find fault with the album for it provides ample entertainment from Enya's youthful and coy voice on "An Tull" or Maire's flattering energy on the traditional "Lish Young Buy-A-Broom."

Sadly, this was Enya's second and last appearance with Clannad, but this forced Clannad forward and changed them for the better. Enya has managed well in her own right.

This is a great album for those venturing into the world of Irish Music. It's modern but retains the charm of the old world. You won't be disappointed but surprised at the lingering harmonious embrace this band has to offer.

While the whole album is a gem, the standout tracks are "Na Buachailli Alainn", "Buaireadh An Phosta", "Mheall Si Lena Glorthai Me", "An Tull", and "Mhorag's Na Horo Gheallaidh"

Side Note: Clannad (on Fuaim) is comprised of Maire Brennan (Vocals, Harp), Eithne (Enya) Brennan (Keyboards, Vocals), Pol Brennan (Guitar, Percussion, Flute, Vocals), Ciaran Brennan (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards), Noel (Guitar, Vocals) and Padraig Duggan (Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin).

If you like Clannad, try Altan.

"Fuaim," pronounced "foom," is the Irish Gaelic word for sound or noise. This Clannad outing is one of their best. From the rhythmic waulking music (used by cloth fullers as they worked the material) to the beautiful ballads, to the playful, this family band's music never fails to please. My favorite cut on this album is "The Lish Young Buy-a-Broom," a humorous ballad in the traditional sense of the term (a song that tells a tale). Fans of Clannad, Maire Brennan, Enya ... in fact, most other Celtic groups ... will find this album a necessary addition to their collections.

This is no new age elevator drivel. This is sassy, passionate - yet totally calming. If you need to be calmed and cheered up, this is the music to do it. This is my favorite Clannad album. Enjoy!

Fuiam was my first Clannad CD. I bought it on a whim. I listen to it almost everyday. If you want to try Irish music start HERE........

If you wanna buy your first Clanna CD, buy this one! It's the best one except the collections... :-), If you love Irish music you'll love this CD.

One of the two Clannad albums on which you can find the voice of Enya. You can hear her as lead vocals on two of the songs. This is one of the classic Clannad albums with the haunting Celtic tunes that Clannad is so famous for. They've somewhat changed their sound to a more mellow tune through the years so if you're interested in their earlier stuff this is the album to buy. Fuaim was produced by Nicky Ryan who went with Enya when she went solo.

I am a big fan of the early Clannad albums (before the "Theme from Harry's Game"). They had great character and marvelous sound, and I really prefer the acoustic and traditional instruments to the overproduced, synthesizer-ridden sound or the almost-U.S. style rock numbers on the later albums. If you like real Irish folk music, you should really enjoy this album. By the way, Enya is only on two of the Clannad albums, and only featured on one (not this one). The main singer for Clannad was Enya's sister.

If you want to relax but not sleep, this album is for you. If you want to sip coffee or whatever drink makes you feel relaxed, this is a great background sound. For a MATURE listener, this music is rich and extremely beautiful with lush guitars, authentic melodies from Ireland and the hypnotic voices of Enya and her sister. In most of the songs, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A WORD THEY'RE SAYING BUT THE SONGS ARE REALLY 'FRIENDLY' TO THE EARS, THE MIND AND TO THE HEART.