Customer Reviews

Macalla

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i've been listening to Clannad for over a decade and have purchased every one of their albums to date. i'd have to say that Macalla is my favorite. over the years i've seen the group try out many formats from pop to folk festival and this one epitomizes their best unique sound: "beautifully haunting" would describe most of the melodies on this collection-- the harmonies are tight and the lyrics are moving. there's nothing "dated" about the musical styles expressed on this collection, and the engineering done on it was superb. if you're a Clannad fan, this one's a must.

This was the first Clannad album I ever heard, and I was caught by the very spare, almost bleak backing. Caieslan Oir remains one of my favorite pieces by them, now 10 years later. Without a doubt, it was a superior effort to the followup Sirius. I would also point listeners to the track "Almost Seems Too Late to Turn" as one of the best here. All in all, this album seems to give glimpses of the Irish land, and some of the fun as well ("Journey's End"). Still from time to time makes it into the CD player...

I had heard of Clannad but was not aware of the quality of the work the group produces. This was the first of their CDs I bought and I have been a firm fan ever since. For the most part Maire Brennan dominates the voices when she is taking part. I enjoy her tones and so now buy her solo efforts as well.
This is the Clannad disc I play the most frequenly. The songs, those sung in Irish particularly, have the sometimes ethereal quality I associate with the group.

Clannad is an Irish group including lead vocalist Maire, her two brothers and two uncles. They've been playing together for more than 20 years: their music is as enduring as their relationship. They play acoustic-based traditional music, electrified contemporary music, and every variation between. Macalla is heavy on the contemporary side. Maire's lead vocals are at the center of Clannad's sound: her voice is powerful, maidenly and contains an attractive vibrato. Her solo (almost) ballads sung in Gaelic `Caislean Oir' and `Buachaill On Eirne' are especially beguiling. The overall sound of Macalla is rich with electric instruments and synthesizers, multi-layered vocals and a large group of backing musicians. The exotic flavor of Macalla is the result of the group's Celtic heritage. The mythological age of the Celts is mysterious, haunting, majestic and spiritual. This characteristic is so strong on several compositions (Almost Seems Too Late To Turn & Northern Skyline) that they seem a radical but sensuous departure from contemporary music. For a fascinating adventure to the land of the Celts, try Macalla.

Got this "LP" (yeah, remember vinyl? ) as a gift. I have since purchased it in CD. Up to that point I had never heard of them. I was mesmerized by the freshness of the sound, the murky yet ethereal lushness of the harmony, the totally unique sound and feel. I have since purchased most all subsequent releases. Maybe because it was my first exposure to them, maybe because it was a little less formulated, this release remains the standard that I compare them to. Subsequent endeavores have been worthy and welcome additions to my collection, but they somehow have not matched the impact of this collection... as such I consider "Macalla" a Clannad "must have"...

While their "Best of" album PastPresent is often regarded as a good introduction to this Irish band, I actually think that Macalla is probably the quintessential Clannad album. It's got all of the elements that a Clannad fan appreciates -- the traditional Gaelic lyrics set to a lush, synthesized background, and the Fleetwood Mac style laid back guitar-driven rockers both. If all you've ever heard from Clannad is the omnipresent "Theme to Harry's Game" (from millions of commercials and movies) then check out this album next. You won't be disappointed.

This was my first Clannad album and I think it makes an excellent introduction to both the band and celtic music. It starts with the haunting and erie sound (Caislean Oir) that celtic music is rightfully famous for. And later shows it's happy side with Journey's At An End. All together a fine album

My first adventure outside the world of American popular music was Celtic music. Not a great gamble since American and Celtic music share a common language - English (usually), and the elements of melody, harmony and rhythm are essentially the same. Clannad is a family band. Lead vocalist Maire (Enya's elder sister) and her brothers Paul and Ciaran Brennan, and their uncles Padraig and Noel Duggan first began playing together in Donegal, Ireland more than 30-years ago.

Like the Celtic religion, the music of Macalla evokes the grace of the mythological age. Marie's trained voice is a gifted instrument of clarity, timbre and beauty. Her sound is haunting and ethereal. Only two songs (the majestic 'Caislean Oir' & 'Buachaille On Eirne') are sung in Gaelic. The other compositions are an appealing blend of American pop (heavy on the pop) with touches of traditional Irish folk influence. Particularly pronounced is the use of electric instruments and synthesizers. Bono drops in for a heartrending duet with Maire on 'In A Lifetime.' Lovers of tradition Celtic folk may be disappointed with Macalla's heavy-handed mainstream pop sensibility. For Americans who are willing to expand their musical horizons, Macalla is not such a great leap into the unknown, but short distance to the captivating world of Clannad's Celtic-Pop.

Like many other reviewers, Macalla was my first exposure to Clannad. Admittedly this album will always hold a special place in my heart because it was playing softly in the background the first time I was, uh, with my boyfriend (now my husband.) We were in college and it belonged to my roommate at the time, but I played it far more than she did, to the point where she actually gave me the cassette! I played that so much that it eventually wore out and forced me to buy the CD. It remains one of my perennial favorites because of its sparse, haunting mix of mellow rock, Irish folk and Celtic mysticism. Both melancholy and uplifting at the same time, Macalla has been the soundtrack to free-spirited road trips (Closer To Your Heart, Journey's At An End); introspective rainy days (Too Late To Turn, Northern Skyline); and sensual evenings (Caislean Oir, In A Lifetime, The Wild Cry). Other Clannad releases have been good but none have had the impact on me that Macalla had, and continues to have. (And if I hear "Harry's Game" one more time I'll scream.) Rare and hard to find now, this CD is must for any Clannad fan, Celtic music aficionado, or those who just love quality, evocative music.

very nice introdacion indeed.. but its shurley have a bad side too.. i have the lp... and the second side..
isnt so great..
but its realy fun album.. great spirit.. :)