Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74412 in Digital Music Album
• Released on: 2005-06-07
• Running time: 0 seconds

Customer Reviews

New singer, same brilliance
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".

Irish music as good as it gets
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.

Excellent New Album
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.