Customer Reviews

Think Before You Think

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

 

 

I had never heard of this group before I encountered a listening station at my local music store, but I was immediately hooked. Their blend of jigs, reels, ballads, and love ballads works perfectly, and makes this group of 7 young musicians well deserving of the "Best Overall Traditional Irish Band" award that they received at the 1999 Irish Music Awards. An added bonus is the history lesson learned while reading the descriptions of the songs. Finding out what "brooms" are, and the uniqueness of Waterford Gaeltacht gives an added flavor to the album. I encourage everybody to buy this album because the youthful exuberance demonstrated on this album makes it a great buy and an even better listen.

This is the best Irish traditional album I've bought this year and I've bought about twenty. It's definitely one of my favorites. The music is lively and the musicians and singer are very talented. If you're looking for a good album to see what traditional Irish music is all about or you're already a fan and want to hook your friends, this is a great choice.

There is not a bad track on this album. On the evidence of this, Danú is one of the best traditional Irish groups I've heard -- and I've been listening over 30 years. They're up there with Dé Dannan, Dervish and Altan. The singer has an excellent voice that is quite distinctive.

The total time is 53'55".

UPDATE 2010

Since I wrote this Danú have, unsurprisingly, risen right to the top.

The singer here, Ciarán O Gealbháin, only remained for one more album before departing to continue his education. His replacement, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, is just as good, merely different. Nevertheless, this remains one of the best of all their albums so far, which comprise:

1997 Danú
2000 Think Before You Think
2001 All things Considered
2003 The Road Less Traveled
2004 One Night Stand (DVD)
2004 Up in the Air
2005 When All is Said and Done
2010 Seanchas

I've bought all of 'em, and couldn't be happier!

I kept hearing a version of "Fair & Tender Ladies" on a local (Canadian) radio station and wondered who was singing that beautiful song!? After much digging on the internet I found out and what a joy to be able to buy this CD on Amazon.com. The whole CD is great, but buy it just for the heartbreakingly beautiful rendition of the song mentioned above.

I have followed the career of this band closely for several years now and they never cease to amaze me. The vocals are haunting, the instrumentals moving and the flute playing is simply inspired! Tom Dooley will be one of the greatest in my lifetime. Having seen them live I know what a tremendous performance they give and look forward to enjoying that energetic style through this album. They make traditional music accessible to the masses. A must have for any fan of Irish music.

This is an awesome, awesome, cd. I am a HUGE fan of Danu, and have listened to all their cd's, but this is by far their best. If you like celtic music, you've got to get this one!!! Ciarin has a beautiful voice and all the lads are so, so, talented. If you have a chance, go to one of their concerts while they are on tour through the US!!! I got to go to one a few months back and it was just amazing. I met them all and they are really nice!!! Don't miss this great cd.

You don't have to be Irish to love this album. You only need to appreciate great music. Every selection is well conceived and well preformed. It's guaranteed to have your toes tappin' if your not up dancing!

I came to this album after hearing a couple of the band's later records... and I think this is the best of the three albums I've heard. (And the other two were awesome to begin with...!! ) Lots of gorgeous vocal numbers, and instrumental tracks played with a fluid, pliant feel that brings new life to the style. Highly recommended.

Danu has a website all Danu fans need to visit. This is a good natured group of young Irish with loads of musical talent. Their first album, "Danu", was similar to "Think Before You Think", but with Irish Gaelic lyrics. There is something endearing about a group of good, young musicians that have found each other in a common cause of their roots and fine traditional Irish Music. It is the type of formation of a band that establishes chemistry and promise from the very start. If you can catch them on a U.S. tour (check the website), they are still wonderful several years and 4 albums later. This totally accoustic band has a great collection of traditional instruments, including fiddle, guitar, bouzouki (a large, deep voiced mandolin), ulliene bagpipes (a bellows at the elbow for wind), bodhran (Irish frame drum), and concertina (a small button accordian of naval fame). The melodies are sweet and tender, the jigs and reels are rhythm driven, creative arrangements. If you like traditional Irish the tradition Irish way, this album is for you.

If you are interested in traditional Irish music, this is an album to have. I have a fairly good knowledge of trad music and this album combines songs as well as instrumentals in an amazing combination. I would suggest this album to anyone. Danu is also a young and energetic group -- you will not be wasting your money if you invest in this incredible album