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Track Listings
| 1. Raggle Taggle Gypsy - Tabhair Dom Do Lamh |
| 2. Arthur McBride |
| 3. Planxty Irwin |
| 4. Sweet Thames Flow Softly |
| 5. Junior Crehan's Favourite - Corney Is Coming |
| 6. The West Coast Of Claire |
| 7. The Jolly Beggar |
| 8. Only Our Rivers |
| 9. Si Bheag, Si Mhor |
| 10. Follow Me Up To Carlow |
| 11. Si Bheag, Si Mhor |
| 12. The Blacksmith |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In 1972, Christy Moore brought together uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn, Dónal Lunny and Andy Irvine and formed Planxty (the name is a term for a song composed for a paying client). This, their first album, was a watershed for the coming boon in "Celtic" music, with its use of harmonies and its blend of songs, ballads and instrumental tunes. Their mix of bouzouki (now almost considered a traditional instrument, then viewed as an aberration!), bagpipes, guitars, and fiddles, along with the gritty, unadorned singing of Moore and Irvine, still stands the test of time. It was a brilliant act of faith, proclaiming that traditional Irish music could sound startlingly new without being bastardized. --Louis Gibson
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This incredibly talented quartet actually first recorded together on Christy Moore's album PROSPEROUS (also available thru amazon) -- this, their 'official' debut, has got to be one of the most stunning first albums ever released. Four of the greatest Irish musicians of our time -- Christy Moore (vocals, guitar, bodhran), Andy Irvine (vocals, mandolin, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy), Donal Lunny (bouzouki, vocals) and Liam Og O Floinn (Uilleann pipes, whistle) unite to form an aboslute powerhouse of Irish music.
Combining traditional jigs, reels, airs and songs with some of the best work of Ireland's fine folk-revival songwriters, Planxty gave the world living proof that 'folk' music could be every bit as exciting as rock and roll. Astoundingly talented, infinitely inventive and respectfully traditional -- Planxty was a deceptively powerful band. Looking at one of their album sleeves, reading the musician credits, many unitiated listeners were blown away by the sheer force of this music -- and captivated by its beauty as well.
Their albums, as well as their live performances, were thoughtfully well-balanced -- showcasing their instrumental prowess appropriately and always with good taste, alternating with some of the most lovely, often stirring ballads and songs that Ireland has to offer.
Blessed with two of the finest vocalists in Irish music, Christy Moore and Andy Irvine, Planxty was able to deliver songs from the entire spectrum of the Irish repertoire -- political ballads and revolutionary songs, love songs, songs of struggle -- and take it to a level most other performers could only aim at. 'Raggle taggle Gypsy' became one of their signature concert numbers -- it and 'The jolly beggar' are fine examples of traditional song on this cd. Andy Irvine's lovely composition 'The west coast of Clare' is one of the most hauntingly beautiful love songs I've ever heard. 'Arthur McBride' tells the story of a British recruiting sergeant who unwisely targets a couple of Irish lads with his promises of the glories of leading a soldier's life -- a lesson, of course, is offered in return, related with great humor and relish. 'Follow me up to Carlow' shows us that the Irish spirit of rebellion has existed long before the present-day 'troubles' -- and what spirit it embodies! 'Only our rivers' is excruciatingly poignant in expressing the yearning for freedom in the Irish heart.
The instrumentals shine on the album as well -- Liam Og O Floinn is perhaps the finest living practitioner of the Uilleann pipes. His fingers are deft and expressive, flying one moment at breakneck speed, the next tenderly coaxing from the pipes a slow melody so achingly beautiful it could wring tears from stones. The interplay between Irvine and Lunny on mandolin and bouzoukis is intricate and impressive as well -- and Moore's guitar and bodhran add body and bottom to the mix. Listen to the amazing 'reel' with no title, tacked onto the end of 'The jolly beggar' -- 'Merrily kissed the Quaker', 'Si bheag, si mhor', and the Turlouch O Carolan composition 'Planxty Irwin' are all delightful. This is truly an example of four great musicians on the same wavelength, feeding off each other's energy and talent -- and having a blast!
This disc, to me, is one of the trio of classic Planxty albums (although I must say they're all very good), with THE WELL BELOW THE VALLEY and AFTER THE BREAK rounding out the triumvirate.
I had the exceedingly good fortune to see this group perform live, in Scotland, in 1979 -- they were touring to support AFTER THE BREAK, and were joined by the great Matt Molloy on flute. Not knowing that they had reformed (they had split about 3 years earlier), stumbling across this show while on holiday was a wonderful surprise for me. They did not disappoint in the least -- all the things I had come to love about their music over the years of enjoying their recordings were there in person. The auditorium in Edinburgh was filled to capacity -- the crowd spanned several generations, all there together, united in their love of this music.
All the members of the band are still active, and the work they have done since Planxty's demise is all first-rate. Andy Irvine has gone on to record with Paul Brady and Davy Spillane, as well as releasing several fine solo albums and being a member of Irish super-group Patrick Street. Christy Moore and Liam Og O Floinn each have several outstanding recordings to their credit. And Donal Lunny -- well, Donal Lunny seems to have a Midas touch (in quality if not in sales). You can pretty much count on anything he is associated with to be of the highest imaginable quality. He was a founding member of The Bothy Band, and the mastermind behind the amazingly innovative Moving Hearts (which also included Christy Moore on a couple of albums).
...but, as they say, there ain't nothin' like the original. If you think you know Irish traditional music, but have never heard Planxty...are you in for a treat!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Planxty's title album is a standard by which the Celtic Music movement can be measured. Its opening arrangement of "The Jolly Beggar," driving as hard as any rock tune, segues into the haunting "Tabhair Dam Do Lamh," successfully transitioning from sharp irony to yearning. "Arthur McBride" is a traditional anti-recruiting song from the days when Ireland was an English colony. Its spirit is similar to the anti-draft songs of Viet Nam-era American folk-music. In fact the whole album is an example of the best of folk music: story telling and tasty arrangements featuring acoustical instruments. Unlike any American folk music, though Planxty features the Celtic uileann pipes, traditional bohdran and tin whistle, and bouzouki to go with the ubiquitous guitar. While Liam O'Flynn's uileann pipes are not so fluid and effortless as those of Paddy Maloney (The Chieftians), there is no denying my feet the urge to dance during his energy-infected "Planxty Irwin," the "Reel" that follows "The Jolly Beggar" and "Merrily Kissed the Quaker." Ancient enmity is the theme in the pipe medely of O'Carolan's lyrical "Si Bheag, Si Mhor," a battle between fairies, which flows into a duel between Irish and English in the blood-ballad "Follow Me Up to Carlow." The vocals are clean and unpretentious, letting the words carry the story with few vocal flourishes or elaboration. The whole effect of the album is that of having a core experience of "reel" Irish traditional music. Planxty's first album is a classic, a standard against which any folk album, Celtic or otherwise, can be measured, a standard hard to beat!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By PAUL DEVINE
Format:Audio CD
IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE THE ULTIMATE IRISH TRADITIONAL ALBUM EVER RECORDED THIS IS IT.I HAVE OWNED THIS MASTERPIECE ON LP TAPE AND CD.THIS ALBUM MEANS TO IRELAND WHAT PET SOUNDS MEANS TO THE USA .DO I LOVE IT OR WHAT?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, old, authentic Irish session-type music.
This is a very good CD for the Irish music purist. Planxty is the real deal. This group has been around for a long time and it's evident in their playing and authentic pub-like... Read more
Published 21 days ago by James F. Tomsovic
4.0 out of 5 stars
AGELESS MUSIC THAT STIRS THE BLOOD
Thirty-nine years too late, I discover Planxty! Planxty was one of the first Irish music supergroups. The Chieftains came along in 1962, Planxty in 1972 (first recorded in 1973). Read more
Published 22 months ago by David Keymer
5.0 out of 5 stars
It Took the The Beatles 10 years
to come up with Abbey Road. Planxty hit the same peak right off the bat and kept going. There would be some interplay among personnel as time went on, but these four men did what... Read more
Published on February 25, 2010 by o dubhthaigh
5.0 out of 5 stars
true to history and best rendition
Truly Irish music at it's most classic. Not your pretentious symphonia stuff; not your bar room brawl undecipherable vocals; just real stories from times gone by brought magically... Read more
Published on June 12, 2009 by Karen Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars
The tremdous Irish classic!
I'm no historian or authority, but from my understanding this started a new generation of Irish recorded music. Read more
Published on November 16, 2008 by David Dare
5.0 out of 5 stars
Planxty - start of the Irish folk music revival
I first heard Planxty when they performed in Edinburgh in 1975 as the warm-up act for Steeleye Span. Read more
Published on November 14, 2006 by Paul Shotts
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as it gets, EVER!
Its hard to add any more superlatives to the other reviews of this album, but it must be done. This is one of the greatest albums of any musical style that I've heard. Read more
Published on August 13, 2006 by B. W. Thew
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best (to my ears)
As you can see from the reviews here, there cannot be enough praise for this masterpiece of Celtic culture. Read more
Published on July 29, 2006 by Frank C.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not much left to be said .. but!
I thought I had heard about the best of them when it come to Irish / Celtic / Folk / Traditional music. Not so, as I had never heard Planxty. Read more
Published on June 2, 2006 by Mark Fitzgerald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime Folk
There was a time in the 70s when British and Celtic folk music conveyed the passion that seemed to have evaporated the American scene. Read more
Published on May 11, 2005 by R. J MOSS
