Customer Reviews

Runaway Sunday

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

 

 

I know I'll be roasted on a spit by my fellow fans for saying this, but since Frankie Kennedy passed away, some of the texture and quality of Altan has faded. This may be partly because they signed with a major label, and partly because Frankie had a tempering influence on his wife, whose name I won't spell for fear of offending through error, and whose inestimable fiddling skill disproportionately dominates this album. I still buy and listen to their albums, and I'm not unhappy with them; I just think they were better when they were with an indie label and there were two stars in the family.

I know I'll be roasted on a spit by my fellow fans for saying this, but since Frankie Kennedy passed away, some of the texture and quality of Altan has faded. This may be partly because they signed with a major label, and partly because Frankie had a tempering influence on his wife, whose name I won't spell for fear of offending through error, and whose inestimable fiddling skill disproportionately dominates this album. I still buy and listen to their albums, and I'm not unhappy with them; I just think they were better when they were with an indie label and there were two stars in the family.

If you get the opportunity to see this band, as I did, do not miss it. You will witness traditional Irish music at it's very best. The sheer professionalism of the musicianship and crystal clear voice of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh are a joy to the ear. No finer exponent of the art, in my opinion. Having said that, this 1997 release is bang in line with the quality of previous offerings. Just buy it!

This was a present for my wife, who loves to listen to Altan on our multi-disk changer. As a result I've learned that this isn't their best effort, but is still pretty good. Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh is spellbinding, but the nature of the recording is subtly different from previous works, and doesn't sound quite as bright nor bold. Maybe it's just me, but I'm pretty sure that this, while still amazing, could have been just a little better.