Customer Reviews

Lunasa

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

 

 

Lúnasa can best be described as the Bothy Band of this era. But whereas the Bothy Band's sound had more of a rough-and-ready feel, Lúnasa's sound is highly polished, with graceful harmonies and rhythms that swing.

This is their first album with Mike McGoldrick and John McSherry (since replaced by the super duo of Kevin Crawford and Cillian Vallely), re-released with a live version of "Colonel Frazer" replacing the original studio one, and an extra track consisting of a Breton tune and an Irish reel played almost with a Breton rhythm. For those of you not familiar with Lúnasa, their lineup consists of uillean pipes, fiddle, and flute, and a rhythm section of upright-bass and guitar. There is no singing, so if you're a fan of vocals you might be disappointed, but the sounds these guys produce are amazing and make you want to get up and dance. This album has live and studio-recorded tracks, but Lúnasa's playing is so smooth you won't be able to tell the difference until you hear the roar of the crowd afterward. Even if you own the original release of this album, the extra track makes another purchase worth it.

Lúnasa is the band I play when I am trying to introduce someone to Irish music. If you are only recently getting into Irish traditional dance music, I can think of no better band with which to start.

The music is pure Irish dance music, but with a driving guitar backup and bass rather than a drum. The tunes are traditional, but the harmony is a bit more modern and the rhythms more syncopated than 50's style ceili bands. Some noteable tracks are Feabhra, which starts out with the Brenda Stubbert reel and moves into a mixed meter tune which sounds almost Balkan, and Aibreann, an air with a lush, beautiful low-whistle duet. Meitheamh is my favorite, though, a driving traditional reel that features each soloist in turn. If you're a fan of traditional Irish instrumental music, pick this up - you'll be glad you did.

This is the excellent debut album from possibly Ireland's hottest music act these days. Irish music with the perfect blend between tradition and the new, definitely jazz-influenced with their impeccable arrangements and transitions. This is the most colorful, lively and passionate Irish music CD I know of in existence. The bass and guitar and bodhran provide the driving backbone I find missing in most celtic music I've explored. Oh, and for you Uillean pipe fans ... I think there's more splendid piping on this their debut than any other Lunasa release. True virtuosos, these guys are amazing to see in concert (as of Autumn 2002). Very friendly and down-to-earth, as well!! (FYI: This is completely instrumental.)

This is the first of three (soon to be four) albums from the best and possibly the most important Irish group since The Bothy Band. Donough Hennessy (Sharon Shannon Band) and Trevor Hutchinson (The Waterboys) have created a true DreamTeam featuring Sean Smyth on fiddle and whistle, Michael McGoldrick on flute, and John McSherry on pipes. This is an all-instrumental offering, which is a bold statement in this day and age where singers seem to be the dominant feature. The result is pure magic. Wonderful arrangements and a thoughtful selection of tunes makes this a must have for any fan of Irish music or if you're just getting into the genre.

An all-instrumental album featuring some of the new up-and-comers in Ireland's trad scene, including members of Sharon Shannon's band, and the Waterboys. Lunasa shed most of the severity of old-style jigs-and-reels, mixing in a sly melodic bounce without sacrificing their traditional cred. No synthesizers or sampling here, just a creative new approach to the classic Celtic style. The piping, in particular, has a fluidity and expessiveness that's a delight to hear... Even if (like myself) you're not that much into Celtic instrumentals, this might be an album you'd want to check out.

This instrumental album is one of a kind. It blends traditional irish instruments with newer harmonies to make a blend of terrific music. A must buy for any folk or celtic music fan.