Customer Reviews

Reunion

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

 

 

After 16 years apart, the group that first brought Irish folk music to North America reunited in 1984 for a tour that reminded everybody why they were so great. All the energy of 20 years before was present...in fact, it sounds like Liam, Pat and Tom Clancy, plus Tommy Makem, were performing like they'd never get a chance to sing again. The song selection is fabulous, Tom Clancy sounds *great* on Red-Haired Mary and Haul-Away Joe (if, as some reviewers have written, he was dying of cancer at this stage, he sure hid it well) and the musicianship is superb. Before there was a Chieftains, before there was a Wolfe Tones, even before there was a Dubliners...there was the Clancys and Makem. This may just be the single finest Irish folk album ever made.

I had the privilege of attending this great event back in 1984, at Avery Fisher Hall, in Lincoln Center NY...it was an electrifying performance and it has been well recorded in this album! The Clancy Brothers were never the same without Tommy Makem, and quite frankly, Mr. Makem was never the same without the Clancys.

Theirs was a partnership made in Irish heaven and their reunion, 15 years after they split up, was a concert to be remembered to be sure...their best albums were always live performances. Their studio albums never were on the same par as the live ones...

If you never had the chance to see them perform, this CD will serve as the next best thing!

I strongly recommend this CD!!

Perhaps the most important folk band in history, The Clancy's and Makem reformed after a break of sixteen years with a spectacular performance never equalled by any live band. By this stage - with almost 60 albums behind them - Tom Clancy was dying of cancer and plays a sad, quiet role in proceedings. But brothers Paddy and Liam are at their brilliant best, as is Makem. Never will you hear such vibrant, energetic talent. The death of Tom in 1990 and Paddy in 1998 brought to an end the reign of the greatest folk band in history. Listen to their rousing rendition of "The Holy Ground" and dare tell me I'm wrong. Guthrie may have been the inspiration, but without the Clancy Brothers there would have been no Dylan. Superb.

The Clancy Brother's last recording with all original members are great. From the rowdy singing of "Red Haired Mary" to Liam's classic version of "Carrickfergus" this is a great album for all to enjoy.

This is a great album and is one of the best I own. Compared to the endless supply of Clancy Brothers Greatest Hits albums, this is outstanding. The music is great, the singing is wonderful, and the energy is great. I can only imagine what it was like to be at the live performance in 1984. My only complaint is that I bought it a few days before the price was cut.

Hard to believe that after so many years (and so much time apart), the original foursome could reunite with so much joyous vigor and passion. The recording quality is brilliant, the backup musicians wonderful, and the snatches of poetry from Makem & Liam Clancy are inspired. Anyone who loves Irish ballads and rowdy drinking songs will find it doesn't get any better than this....

As one who attended a Reunion Tour performance, I can say this album is an authentic snapshot of what it presented. Unfortunately, the album is too short and does not have enough of the band's banter. Their performance was tight, easy and stirring. They are all gone now, and live on in memory and their recordings. It was a magical evening in 1985 and I hope that the magic of the performances and in this album touch you as it did the audience. We raise the parting glass to these fine musicians who shared music and life with us.

Great CD at a great price! The songs are wonderful and the sound quality on such old music sounds wonderful.

The Clancys have always been at their best in live performance. The audience energizes them, and the participation of the audience improves the experience. This concert was particularly wonderful, because everyone waited so many years for it to happen. The recording is heartbreaking, though because, try as I might, I could not hear Tom's voice at all, even on his signature numbers. He will be greatly missed.