Water From the Well

The Chieftains | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00004L8AZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,582 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #96 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > Celtic Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On Water from the Well, Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains return to the traditional Irish music that first made their reputations in the early 60s. Unlike most of their recordings from the 1990s there is nary a rock star, folk singer, or symphony orchestra to be found. Instead the Chieftains have chosen to play with some of Ireland's finest musicians, including Barney McKenna, Seamus Begley, Altan, and the Kilfenora Ceili Band. Here the Chieftains cover the entire spectrum of Irish traditional music, from a stately version of "Planxty George Brabazon" with the Belfast Harp Orchestra to a raucous session in flautist Matt Molloy's pub to a number of ballads sweetly sung by Kevin Conneff. The Chieftains have always performed at the highest level, but on Water from the Well the combination of familiar tunes and great musical guests seems to have inspired them to some of their best playing in years. --Michael Simmons

Product Description

Returning to the traditional Irish music that brought them to the fore in the early '60s, The Chieftains collaborate here with some of Ireland's finest, including Barney McKenna, Seamus Begley, Altan and the Kilfenora Ceili Band. Includes Jack of All Trades; The Dusty Miller; The Dingle Set; The May Morning Dew; Ballyfin; Live from Matt Molloy's Pub , and more. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Wait!, March 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Water From the Well (Audio CD)

Like many of the other reviewers, I have been waiting for quite awhile for the Chieftains to come out with another album that is all traditional Irish music. I first saw them in concert around 1990 and fell in love with the traditional music of my ancestors. Paddy Moloney and the guys have been groundbreaking and innovative, but I longed for them to get back to their roots. Well, this is it, and the Chieftains have never sounded better! Sixty two minutes and 58 seconds of pure traditional Irish music with a wide range of tempos and moods. Instrumentals intermingled with vocal tracks ranging from frolicking tunes to the melancholy songs of old Ireland. Kevin Conneff is in fine voice and the track that is *live* from Matt Molloy's pub will have your toes tapping! Well worth the wait!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Basics, February 29, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Water From the Well (Audio CD)

The Chieftains have returned to traditional Irish music and I couldn't be happier. This may already be my favorite Chieftains disc. When I played it last night on the CD player in the living room, my five year old daughter jumped to her feet and started dancing energetically all about the room. If you like Irish music, this is a must-have.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still trad after all these years, March 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Water From the Well (Audio CD)

The Chieftains' recent ventures into the untraditional have been a mixed bag at best, so I was pleased to note that on this CD they've returned to their roots. The selections are, in general, beautifully performed (although I think Altan sounds a little rough around the edges); their collaborators (even the unpredictable Ashley Mac Isaac) give straightforward but passionate renditions of the tunes; Kevin Conneff is in fine voice; and the CD as a whole has a nice balance between serious-and-sentimental and wild-and-crazy. This would make a terrific St. Patrick's Day present for anyone who's Irish -- or wishes they were! (We Irish don't have a superiority complex; we really ARE superior -- heh!)