Road Less Traveled

Danu | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B0000CC4V7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,830 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New singer, same brilliance, October 21, 2003

By 

Paul Magnussen (Campbell, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Road Less Traveled (Audio CD)

This album (their fourth) sees the departure of singer Ciarán O Gealbháin; but although the band's sound is changed, it's none the worse. His replacement is Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, and she has an amazing voice for such a petite lady -- reminiscent of Niabh Parsons, or perhaps Mary Black. Her songs (in both Gaelic and English) are among the strongest tracks. She also plays penny whistle.

Donal Clancy (formerly of Solas) likewise replaces Noel Ryan on guitar (playing in dropped D tuning as opposed to Noel's DADGAD, for those of you who are interested).

Apart from that, the mixture is as before -- wonderful, carefully arranged instrumentals and songs, by one of the best acoustic Irish bands ever. Polkas and slides round out the usual reels and jigs, and the Dubliners' John Sheahan guests on a couple of hornpipes. Donnchadh Gough's piping seems to be getting better and better, if that were possible.

One of the best releases this year. If you get the chance to see them live, don't miss it.

The total time is 51'09".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Irish music as good as it gets, June 2, 2004

By 

J. TIMMERMAN (Lawson, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Road Less Traveled (Audio CD)

Danu is an Irish traditional music group based in Co. Waterford, made up of seven young musicians from counties Waterford, Dublin, Kerry and Donegal. Their third album is a vibrant traditional affair of instrumentals and songs, all skilfully arranged using a wide array of instruments like accordion, fiddle, guitar, uilleann pipes, whistles, bouzouki and bodhran. The medleys move along at an urgent pace, each member taking turns to strut their stuff, while Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's singing is as sweet and attractive as it comes. Tommy Sand's "County Down", the North American "Peg and Awl", Richard Thompson's "Farewell Farewell" (made famous by Sandy Denny), and various Gaelic songs have a delightful poignancy, while the many instrumentals are bright, energetic and joyful. It is clear that this very cohesive band is steeped in tradition and enjoys being so. Delightful.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent New Album, October 21, 2003

By 

C. Fuller (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Road Less Traveled (Audio CD)

I recently saw this new incarnation of Danu with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh live at a music festival. If you like traditional Irish music, an act not to be missed. I purchased the album then and I have not stopped listening to it since. Amhlaoibh adds an exciting new dimension to the band with her beautiful voice. Before this album Danu was an excellent Irish band. With this album, it enters the ranks of the great Irish bands.