Clannad

10 Songs and Reasons You Should be Talking About Clannad Music

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Clannad is your ear candy during the pandemic


I got my second dose of the covid vaccine today! And while I felt the relief of that, I also kept in mind that fitness is vital. That is why cycling has played a massive part in my darkest times. And when I am not pushing watts, I calm down to listen to my favorite bands in the genre.


Clannad is one band that has grown with me from my teen years up to this time. I don’t know if you are aware or agree that the band has undergone three significant musical evolution. There’s Clannad of the 70s still with their distinct sound. While other Irish bands have gone either folk, rock, or pop, this band has incorporated many styles. This is due to the many musical interests of various members. It’s Ciaran Brennan who infused the band’s rock energy and jazz sophistication. The latter is also what made their Celtic sound unique. While other bands go toward either electronic or New Age, Clannad never professes any loyalty to any genre. But of course, the record labels have to make that categorization for marketing purposes, right?


I do miss the Jazz (or smooth jazz)flavor they incorporated, starting with Anam up to Landmarks. The latter is, for me, their masterpiece album because it has all the elements that I admire in the band. These are months of introspection(Europe is approaching Autumn). It is refreshing to go back to the sounds that remind us of a far different world from today.
I have listened to some of the band member’s solo projects, like Moya Brennan’s solo albums. Their influences are evident, which is highlighted by the musicians they choose to collaborate with.


I have to say I miss hearing Pol Brennan’s soprano sax and also the input of other core band members like the Duggans.
Supposing you are introducing someone to Clannad for the first time, so where do you start? Below are my top ten picks:


1. Na Laetha Bhi (The Days that Were)-This might not be part of their more popular offerings, but this is the first song that hooked me. It’s from their 1993 album Banba. The first time I heard this was inside a record store. Everyone turned around because the sound what so different and haunting. It is further propelled by Moya Brennan’s contralto vocals.


2. Autumn Leaves Are Falling- This is taken from Landmarks. As I said, the album is a masterpiece with many excellent tracks. Yet, this one has that vibe that falls between folk and Jazz. It is also one happy tune that makes you smile at the thought of Autumn. Each instrument compliment this artfully crafted tune. It has imagery of churchyards, countryside-everything that makes Ireland fascinating.


3. Newgrange-The power of the band’s sound is its capacity to transport you. When they sing about the ancient Irish tradition, they don’t tell you. They take you there. This is what many bands lack now. I have been looking for that haunting quality in any band, but that is so rare these days.


4. The Hunter- This is another lovely song from the compilation album Past Present. By the way, that album is also a great introduction to the band’s music in the 80s era. I love the drums, the vocal layering and also the pulsing bass.


5. Forces of Nature(From Warriors of Virtue)-A beautiful song accompanying a movie that I enjoyed! This song is Clannad in the 90s.


6. A Dream In The Night-This song is from the animation The Angel and the Soldier Boy. This track is one of those tunes I love playing during the holidays.


7. In Fortunes Hand- This is a perfect song for driving. The energy is further embellished by the beautiful beats and that smooth saxophone.


8. Why Worry-This is a song I got from a smooth jazz compilation album before I got hold of Anam, where this song came from. The swaying track lulls you to daydream-which is the thing you need these days.


9. Let Me See- I haven’t seen a live version of this beautiful song anywhere. This one is an epic track that always makes me smile when I listen to it. That amazing snare drum and buoyant bass is the strength of this track. Clannad is an excellent band. Moreso because everyone brings their styles into the creative process. I hope they come up with another album like Landmarks.


10. Something to Believe In(with Bruce Hornsby)-People have probably forgotten that Moya Brennan had duets with many artists. Big names like Bono, Robert Plant, Bruce Hornsby, Paul Young, Michael McDonald, Shane MacGowan and more. She is an excellent live performer too. This song is a testament to the band’s musical range. This is a style that they might never revisit, but it is excellent that they explored this phase in their glorious musical career.

Let me know your favorite Clannad songs in the comments section below.

Clannad’s Turas 1980 is Out. Hold your Horses!

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When you are a very influential band who bolted out of the musical gates of rural Ireland and eventually created a new musical movement, then unearthing a rare live recording before your mainstream success must be an exciting and bitter-sweet thing.

So many years have gone by and loyal fans still cling to the notion that one day Clannad will release a new album and we will have a big smile once again. Because when that happens it means that the world is still a better place and that part of us-that better aspect of our soul existence is still there like flowers refusing to wilt amidst the onslaught of forces that we can’t control.

This recording was after the last leg of their huge European tour. It’s also the end of the 70s which was a significant era if you are a Clannad fan. Why? Well, I think that the band have three distinct periods. The Clannad of the 70s sounded hardcore in a folk and traditional sense. This was before Hi Fi studio enhancements. They sound really raw and jazzy. In the 80s the band adopted a more pop/rock approach with top 40 hits in the mainstream charts. In the 90s, the band took a more complex, more world/new age oriented sound which earned them their Grammies.

So, Turas 1980 is an important period for the band because they were saying goodbye to their old sound to usher a bigger and more mainstream sound.

You can buy the album here:https://www.amazon.com/Turas-1980-Clannad/dp/B07CF6X8X8

Updates from Moya Brennan, Kyle Carey, The Ballyfermot Rakes and Jennifer Licko!

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Moya Brennan

Album progress 

Moya Brennan has the spirit of rock n roll. Maybe not overtly as one would expect but it is there. As a longtime fan of Clannad, and have researched  the band’s history, I’d say it is only fitting that she would shine on her own. She might not be as hyper as Icelandic singer Bjork or outspoken as Tori Amos but the need for constant challenge and restlessness is there.She is also prolific and has an amazing body of work to boast!

Innovation is always part of her evolution as an artist. You can hear it in her melodies and arrangements. She does not shy away from collaborating with other big artists. Her associations with Schiller and Chicane brought forth good results. It exposed her voice to the younger audience who were not born yet when Clannad’s first UK top 40 hit “A Theme From Harry’s Game” shot into the mainstream.

Provisionally titled River of Songs, she picked her children to work with her in this album. I have heard a few snippets via Paul Jarvis’ Snapchat posts and I can say they are amazing! There is no shortage of experimentation there. And although 10 seconds cannot reveal everything, I sort of get the idea what it’s going to be. It is bold, big and contemporary. It will definitely appeal to the younger ears while still enchanting and captivating original Clannad fans.

Her son Paul Jarvis is doing interesting things with the guitar and some experimentation with other musical instruments(including technology). Aisling Jarvis(apart from making a name for herself as a singer-songwriter/ sound engineer) is manning the sonic landscape. She was also hired by Clannad for the same job with their recent album Nádúr.

Apart from her ability to play many musical instruments along with the harp, she is also a philanthropist and a mom. And we all know, moms are awesome!

The new Moya album will be released early next year and I am so excited!

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Kyle Carey…

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Kyle Carey combines Gaelic tunes and artfully crafted songwriting.

Have you been following the Kickstarter Project of singer-songwriter Kyle Carey? She has one week to go to fulfill her campaign in order to record a new album. Check it out The Art of Forgetting here:

I’d say she’s one of a kind. A true gift to the Celtic music community. Supporting her art means preserving the musical culture that we really love.

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From Dublin…

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The Ballyfermot Rakes

For those who love Irish folk in its true sense can now bask under the artistry of The Ballyfermot Rakes. A little bit about the guys:

The Ballyfermot Rakes are a folk duo who formed following many great sessions together in the vibrant Dublin traditional music scene.
Their intuitive ability to entertain pub crowds with folk songs and lively traditional dance music has already taken them around the country this summer, exciting audiences at festivals and venues.
They have quickly honed an exciting, dynamic set which draws influence from some of the great Irish folk groups such as Sweeney’s Men, The Dubliners and the Fureys.
As the name suggests, this duo of Darren Lynch (bouzouki, vocals) and Derek Copley (banjo) are natives of Ballyfermot in Dublin, and both take great pride and influence from the rich musical connection of the celebrated Furey and Keenan families, as well as from singers like Liam Weldon and Paddy Sweeney to name a few.Darren Lynch’s keen ear for a song, along with intricate bouzouki work, adds a rich, diverse layer to this folk outfit. The bouzouki is also the perfect compliment to the driving melodies of Derek Copley’s tenor banjo playing, which ranges from haunting airs to wild, foot-stomping jigs and reels.
www.facebook.com/TheBallyfermotRakes
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Christmas in in the air…
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The Lights of Christmas by Jennifer Licko featuring Patrick Mangan from Riverdance. 
I did a review of Sing by Jennifer Licko so I am sure you have an idea what she is capable of in musical terms. Glad she is releasing aholiday album called The Lights of Christmas. Here’s a snippet of what to expect from the new recording:

Album Information: 

Celtic Album of the Year winner (Celtic Music Radio), Jennifer Licko releases her first Christmas Album – The Lights of Christmas – via Sabas Records. The album features the Jennifer Licko band which is comprised of Riverdance Star, Patrick Mangan on fiddle and award winning Irish guitarist, Patsy O’Brien. The backbone of the band is Jennifer’s long time British producer, arranger and keyboardist; Bob Noble.  He has produced five of Jennifer’s seven albums including this release ‘The Lights of Christmas’ .  Vocal production took place at Remidi studios in Florida as well as Estudio Cajueira in Brazil with Grammy award winning sound engineer, Mauricio Cajueiro. 

“A true reminder of what the Christmas season means” says one music fan.  ’The Lights of Christmas’ is a follow up to The Jennifer Licko band’s extremely successful annual Celtic Christmas tour hailed by critics as one of the best Christmas traditions of the year. The album continues the theme with favorite Christmas carols, given the unique special celtic touch, and some traditional Irish Christmas songs that share traditions and stories of Celtic lands.

The Jennifer Licko band will be touring the Southeastern United States from Dec 8 – Dec 18th with their ‘Celtic Christmas’ concert in support of ‘The Lights of Christmas’ album. For more information and tour dates, please visit www.jenniferlicko.com 

Track List

1. Pat a Pan

2. The First Noel

3. Brightest and Best

4. Soilse na Nollag

5. The Holly and The Ivy

6. There is a Star

7. Children’s Winter

8. Silver Bells

9. Bread and Fishes

10. O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Hark The Herald Angels Sing 

11. Rebel Jesus

Awesome. Will be reviewing this as soon as I get a copy. Cheers!

Autumn Leaves Are Falling

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I took the title of this blog from a Clannad song. It is a track taken off their late 90s album, Landmarks. It also happens to me one of their strongest albums in my opinion. 

Autumn is the time of the year when everything slows down. Everything becomes quite. People become more contemplative. And what better way to celebrate the month of October than to listen to new and upcoming albums from your favorite Celtic bands and solo artists!

Now for the list:

Kyle Carey id launching a kickstarter campaign ‘The Art of Forgetting’ – which will be released in the fall of 2017. The album will be produced by Dirk Powell and will feature some of the finest in Celtic and American music. 

This will be her third album following the critically acclaimed North Star. Her vocal style is unique. And she can sing in many languages. I am sure this upcoming album will be as strong as her previous ones.

 

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New album by Clanu out!

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From Belfast!

For fans of Bluegrass, Traditional Irish, folk and instrumental music, Clanu will be a welcomed released. We have seen and heard releases that are loud and fast and it is time to quiet down a bit with Long Way Round. The album art is not the only thing that’s beautiful in this album. Hint: use your ears 😉

Members are Dee McIlroy, Niall McIlroy, Damian McIlroy, Paul Conlon and Fiona McIlroy. Grab this album now while it is fresh from the recording studio!

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Famous Lead Vocalist of Goth/New Wave band The Bolshoi is now a Celtic Rocker with Rathkeltair

I am talking about Trevor Tanner. This came as a surprise because I was going to write a story about his former band for this Goth magazine that I also write for but further research pointed me to his new music. This is exciting because it shows that when a door closes, another door opens and that goes to any form of art. Music is fluid and it doesn’t matter what style you play, it is still music. Check out more videos of Rathkeltair via YouTube.

 

 

 

Padraig Duggan-The Spirit of His Music Will Always Live in our Hearts.

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August 9. Moya Brennan posted a photo of Padraig Duggan with this caption: My dear uncle and fellow Clannad member, Padraig Duggan, passed away peacefully this morning. Rest in Peace Padraig and thanks for all your music over the years

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Today, we reflect and remember Padraig Duggan of Clannad.He passed away this week due to a recurring illness. It was  a shocked because he was only 67 and this is so unexpected. For lovers of Irish music, The Duggans are a duo that I am sure you are familiar with. I am currently listening to their music via YouTube and these are songs from their 2005 album Rubicon.

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Padraig Duggan.

You can feel the passion of the brothers as they are joined by special guests: Moya Brennan on vocals, Bridin Brennan, Deirdre Brennan, Andrew Roberts, and Ciaran Byrne on backing vocals, Maire Breathnach on viola, David James on cello, Peter Jack on bass, Ingolf Kurkowski on drums, Ian Parker on piano and keyboards, and Ian Melrose in guitars, whistle, dobro and backing vocals.

According to Noel and Padraig Duggan:

The Rubicon is the point of no return. It is the place at which someone must continue on their present course of action. For us, the Rubicon is very significant. Musically, we felt that this album was the only direction that we could take at this time. The night was approaching and we could hear the wind rise. We now feel that we have crossed the Rubicon. Clannad-Banba-Frontal

Duggan played guitar, mandola, mandolin and provided vocals for Clannad. I think his most memorable contribution was with Banba. It’s the album that introduced me to the Clannad discography and I just fell in love with their sound. His mandolin playing was highlighted especially in tracks like The Other Side and Sunset Dreams.

Apart from the Duggans, Padraig was also a member of Norland Wind with his nephew Ciaran Brennan.

His contribution to music will never be forgotten and peers mourn for his passing.