Customer Reviews

Hibernian Rhapsody

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the composer of "Captain Jack and the Mermaid" I was delighted when De Dannan decided to record my song for release. Their version stays true to my original arrangement but becomes a delightfully fresh and lilting sea tale under the guiding voices and instruments of the members of De Dannan.

I don't normally write reviews, but having read some of the ones on this CD I felt I had to give my opinion. Simply put, this is a foot-tapping, humming-along-with-the-music type of cd that brings a smile to your face and sometimes a tear to your eye. The instrumentals are some of the best trad Irish music I've heard and Tommy Fleming's vocals.....simply breathtaking. I don't know about "sappy lyrics" and "Irish phrasing", I just know that when Danny Boy (for example) comes on it makes my heart soar. Each and every song will touch an emotion, and bottom line, that's what music is supposed to do. Right? Different people on each cd, but great music on them all. This one is a definite "Must Have".

This is another great offering from Irelands best trad. band. Unfortunately I'm not sure about Tommy Flemmings phrasing and understanding of Irish. Although the power and range of his voice are superb there are times when he sounds as if he is just reading from a page with no knowledge of what he is singing. But throughout the musicians are faultless as ever. Check out their strongest album 'Song For Ireland'.

This CD is a worthwhile puchase just for Captain Jack. The cd is wonderful but Captain Jack is its crowning glory.

This album is a terrific release, made all the better because of the presence of Tommy Flemming. His voice is like none other that I have heard in recent times. De Dannan and Tommy are a perfect match.

I have all of De Dannan's albums. The group never disappoints those of use who believe in traditional Celtic music and are also interested in newer music that is NOT played on a synthesizer. De Dannan provides a nice blend of "classic" Celtic tunes (such as Danny Boy) and a rather fun version of Bohemian Rhapsody (!!!). What makes this album so great, however, is the presence of new vocalist Tommy Flemming. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Flemming a few years ago when he was touring with Phil Coulter. I never heard such a spectacular voice in my life. If anyone ever gets the chance to hear him live, GO! He only sang a few songs, but the audience went bananas (myself and my mom included). My favorite cut on this album is The Rose and the Briar. It is a beautiful song and Mr. Flemming's clear soaring and emotional vocal is amazing. I am eagerly awaiting De Dannan's next album and hope they continue to record with Tommy Flemming. I definitely recommend this album.

The instrumentals are as good as DeDannan has ever been. They have a wonderful lift and swing that makes you want to bounce in your seat. Derek Hickey and Frankie Gavin sound fantastic together! Wow!

However, I thought the choice of songs was chintzy and the singing was melodramatic (Though Mr. Flemming DOES have an incredible voice).

For those who like sappy Irish songs, buy this album! For those who prefer traditional Irish music, buy this ablum--and be thankful for the invention of the programmable CD-player!

(And, regardless of whether you LIKE it or not, one can't help but be impressed with the faithful rendering of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" done as an Irish trad instrumental! You have to hear it to believe it.)

I discovered this recording through a viewing of the PBS documentary on "Danny Boy," which features many versions of Ireland's great song, including De Dannan's. Knowing nothing about the group's ever-changing line-up and assuming there would be plenty of vocals as purely rendered and moving as the one in the film, I was actually a little disappointed that there wasn't more singing and less jig and fiddle work. When a band reinvents itself as often as De Dannan seems to (even the spelling of the name changes!), it's no surprise that different listeners have differing impressions of what the group does best. For me, a jig is a jig, but a moving and well-sung lyric is a treasure, as are all the vocals here. For "Danny Boy" collectors, Tommy Flemming's may well be the best you'll ever hear. (And don't miss the "Danny Boy" movie, also available from Amazon.com, with versions by everyone from Nana Maskouri and Sinead O'Connor to Eric Clapton and Elvis.)

If you have a musical taste for lively, traditional Irish music, De Danann instrumentals are a must have. The main difference in the four MP3 albums is that the first two are with the original De Dannan group of the 1970's-80's, including the excellent Irish tenor banjo playing of Charlie Piggot and excellent bodhran (Irish drum) playing of Johnny McDonagh (both early pioneers of their respective instruments). Colm Murphy replaced Johnny for the second two albums and Charlie's excellent banjo was never replaced. The core of the group in all four albums was comprised of Frankie Gavin on fiddle, Alec Finn on Bouzouki (large mandolin), and Jackie Daley on button accordian.

Frankie Gavin was a rare phenomenon of raw natural talent for fiddle. The album "Frankie Gavin and Alec Finn" dates back to the early 1970's and demonstates the early closely coordinated playing of the two musicians that became the foundation for De Danann.

One of the all time greatest traditional Tin Whistle and Bodhran tracks ever recorded was Frankie Gavin and Johnny McDonagh, "the Boys of Ballsidare" on the Third Irish Folk Festival in Concert Volume 1. The group also plays "Mare Rua" on this album.

I am specifically saying the option of downloading MP3 albums allows you to pick and chose the tracks you want. The problem comes in recommending albums. The albums include vocals, most of which pale in comparison to the "hall of fame" level jigs, reels, and hornpipes they were famous for.

This CD is an absolute masterpiece. The title track is a clever Irish riff on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, and had me nearly in hysterics without a single sung word. Tommy Fleming's awe-inspiring vocals and Frankie Gavin's jaw-dropping skill on flute and (especially) fiddle are on superb display here. An absolute treasure; highest possible recommendation.