Customer Reviews

Planxty

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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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!

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!

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?

Simply the best Irish music record I've ever heard, mixing traditional reels and tunes with latter-day folk revival compositions. A great companion whether you are celebrating with friends, drinking alone, or washing the dishes. From the rousing (Raggle Taggle Gypsy, Jolly Beggar, Arthur McBride, Carlow) to the touching (West Coast of Claire, Only Our Rivers Run Free), this album delivers everything you might desire with crystal clear production highlighting the extraordinary musicianship of all involved. Everything about this record screams passion, expertise, and authenticity. It is that good. I gladly defy anyone to name me a better record of Irish music, and if you can, God bless, please do! An absolute classic.

A fabulous treatment of traditional Irish music - true to the traditional spirit, yet full of energy. I bought it when it first came out on vinyl in the early 70's and I've listened to it thousands of times over the years, without ever tiring of it. This is simply the best Irish "folk" album you will ever buy!

This is in fact, in all but name, the second planxty Album. The first being called Prosperous, nominally a Christy Moore solo affair. The black album has all the freshness and vitality of a new group with influences beginning to mesh. The sound is traditional yet original and soooooo full of energy! Listen for the change from the end of Raggle Taggle Gypsies and hear the way the music moves into the slow air "Give me your hand" - Beautiful

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 to life by instruments used in the time period and sung with heartfelt sincerity and respect for the era and genre.

I first heard Planxty when they performed in Edinburgh in 1975 as the warm-up act for Steeleye Span. Their music sparked my love of Irish folk music just as it did for so many others.
For the leader of the band, Christie Moore, who went on to become the leading icon of the Irish music revival, Planxty was the springboard to fame.
Although this was just their first album the tracks could have been assembled years later as a "Best of..."
This is the album for anybody who wants just one Planxty album in their collection.

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. It was the third album of Irish music that I bought and after it I was hooked for good. Every track is a highlight, don't think about it buy it, you'll never regret it.

As you can see from the reviews here, there cannot be enough praise for this masterpiece of Celtic culture. This album is an amazingly passionate and detailed journey akin to a superb novel. There are great Irish albums - and then there are a few magical one's such as Planxty's s/t.

If I had to choose one Irish album to take to the obligatory desert island, this one is it without hesitation. Please don't miss _The Well Below the Valley_ and _Cold Blow and the Rainy Night_ as well, as they are similarly excellent, yet just a wee notch below this amazing debut, but quite honestly that is splitting hairs...

The ballad "Only Our Rivers" will just tear at your heartstrings, and the opener "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" will simply amaze you.

An artistic masterpiece of the highest order.