Music Banter - View Single Post - Yes- it's my list of favourite albums thread

jackhammer · 10-29-2008, 04:00 PM

Clannad-Magical Ring (1983)

OK. So what is a skinhead with piercings and tattoo's doing putting this in here? Simple really. It's one of my favourite albums of all time.

Clannad began life in the early 70's peddling a traditional Irish Folk sound that steadily with each album release; garnered a cult following and upon signing with RCA in 1982 released arguably their best album 'Magical Ring'.

The album introduced Gaelic sung Folk music upon a wider audience albeit with a slightly polished edge. They were commissioned to record the theme tune to a TV series 'Harry's Game' and ended up with the only song in Gaelic to reach the top 5 in the U.K. Whilst I rarely endorse an act who have had chart success, it must be noted that this was their only major success and it did open up avenues for many Irish acts.

This album just takes me somewhere else from the sweet acoustic 'Coinleach Glas An Fhomair' to the wonderfully atmospheric 'Newgrange'. Maire Brennan's voice is that of an angels and the band never over complicate things with gentle mandolins and guitars intertwining with the bands superbly haunting backing vocals.

If you want an introduction into the atmospheric world of Gaelic Folk music then this album is a must.

10-29-2008, 04:00 PM	#43 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Clannad-Magical Ring (1983) OK. So what is a skinhead with piercings and tattoo's doing putting this in here? Simple really. It's one of my favourite albums of all time. Clannad began life in the early 70's peddling a traditional Irish Folk sound that steadily with each album release; garnered a cult following and upon signing with RCA in 1982 released arguably their best album 'Magical Ring'. The album introduced Gaelic sung Folk music upon a wider audience albeit with a slightly polished edge. They were commissioned to record the theme tune to a TV series 'Harry's Game' and ended up with the only song in Gaelic to reach the top 5 in the U.K. Whilst I rarely endorse an act who have had chart success, it must be noted that this was their only major success and it did open up avenues for many Irish acts. This album just takes me somewhere else from the sweet acoustic 'Coinleach Glas An Fhomair' to the wonderfully atmospheric 'Newgrange'. Maire Brennan's voice is that of an angels and the band never over complicate things with gentle mandolins and guitars intertwining with the bands superbly haunting backing vocals. If you want an introduction into the atmospheric world of Gaelic Folk music then this album is a must. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”