Customer Reviews

The Road Less Traveled

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

 

 

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".

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.

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.

If you like Irish music you will be positively wowed by the virtuosity, perfection, brilliance, genius, etc. etc. etc. of Danu. These folks are in a class by themselves. If you've never liked Irish music or have just been indifferent to it, this is the group to change your mind. The Road Less Traveled is an impeccably performed collection of tunes that you will never tire of. And if you see a notice of Danu coming to your town, run, don't walk, and get to the show. They are as electrifying in person as they are on record. No special effects here. Just world-class Irish music.

Danu has been a favorite of mine for quite a while... I'd been looking forward to this cd for a long time!!! Ciaran had a beautiful voice, but Muireann has a lovely voice too and does her songs really very well. Although my favorite of their cds still remains Think Before you Think, this one is right up there with it!!! I would highly recommend this cd.

Failte! (Greetings)

My favorite Danu recording is their DVD, "One Night Stand." I would wholeheartedly give it six out of five stars as one of the finest offerings ever in the genre of traditional Irish Music. It is a recording of a performance in front of a very live audience, including friends, clan and family. This is a must have DVD if this is your genre of music, along with Dervish's "Live at Johnny Fox's" and "Midsummer's Night Session," with the Chieftain's "Water from the Well," and with (old crew) Solas' "Live" concert recording.

Several of the stronger tracks from this album are on the DVD. This album is well worth the price to have a CD to play when you don't have access to a DVD player for the sake of those strong tracks, some of which Danu has polished off through hundreds of performances as their own signature pieces (MaCahill's medley, Reel Gan Aim, Top it Off, Fairy Reel medley). The lovely presence and voice of Muireann Nic Amhranai was new when this album was first cut in 2003. While she offers very strong tracks here by any normal standard, her performance (and that of bouzouki, a large mandolin, and guitar back up) is much stronger in the 2006 DVD. "Farewell, Farewell" is a beautiful piece in this CD and is not on the DVD. "Beannacht O Ri hAoine" (Blessings from the King of Friday, meaning TGIF type Fridays at the pub) is a much stronger offering on the DVD with a gorgeous bouzouki lead in. Similarly "County Down" is great on the CD but stronger and excellent on the DVD with bouzouki lead in. I would also have to say that Donnchadh Gough is much stronger on both Irish Drum (Bodhran) and Ulienne (elbow bellows) Bagpipes on the DVD. The MaCahill's Reel Medley chosen as the start off number one track on the CD when played at the concert has the big man ripping through a very fast paced reel with hair flying and bouncing on his chair.

And finally there is a need to mention 5 tracks that are unique to this CD only and well worth the listening. By all normal standards, this is a very good CD worth 5 stars. Measuring the 2003 Danu against the 2006 Danu (worth 6 stars)) however, leads to respect of those three years for a young band accepting a new band member and developing strong friendship and chemistry over the past three years to be one of the polished, best bands now setting the standard for traditional Irish music. Slainte! (cheers!)

Danú's "The Road Less Traveled" is a very entertaining album with an excellent selection of jigs, reels, and songs. The 6th track, "Garech's Wedding/Reel Gan Ainm/The Moving Bog/Cliffs of GlenColmCille" is particularly good, and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's vocals on songs such as "Co. Down" and "Beannacht ó Rí na hAoine" are outstanding. Overall, this album is very comparable in its high quality to Danú's more recent "When All Is Said And Done," lacking only the high energy opening track of that album. This young group represents the very best in Irish music.

I've seen these guys twice- once here in the US and then again in Ireland, so I've seen both their American-oriented show, and their more traditional show... And I've got to say... wow... i never actually listened to them before seeing them at the Dublin Irish fest in Ohio, but when I heard "County Down' and 'Farewell Farewell', it's just gone from there. The vocals are just unbelieveable (am a Celtic vocalist myself) As of yet I don't own my own copy of this album, but from what I've heard from it, I am definitely going to get it the next chance I have! It was also the cd we listened to on one of our last days in Ireland.