Altan – Donegal (Compass Records, 2024)
Altan has just released an album titled Donegal that celebrates the cherished Irish county where the band was formed. The allure of Donegal has a lot to do with its rich and vital folk music scene, and its enchanting natural beauty. Notably, Altan is one of the finest and most influential contemporary Irish folk bands in the current Celtic music scene.
The band is well known for its delightful Irish-language songs, dazzling twin-fiddling, superb instrumentalists, and exquisitely crafted arrangements of traditional Irish music.
Donegal features an enticing mix of reels, jigs, and songs. The album begins with an alluring slow reel titled “The Slow Tinker.”
Band founder, lead singer and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh continues to impress with her skill as a fiddler and her truly lovely vocals on “Liostáil mé le Sáirsint” and the gorgeous and irresistible song “The Barley and the Rye,” an instant classic that also features stellar work by Ciarán Curran. Mairéad also provides “Port Árainn Mhór/Port Kitty Rua Mooney,” an exceptional set of lively jigs.
Altan has a new member, fiddler, and singer Clare Friel. She takes the lead vocals on “Faoiseamh a Geheobhadsa” and creates a magnetic fiddle dialog with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh violin throughout the album.
Reel set “An Gasur DanaAn Ghirseach DholbaRil na mBreac Beadai” features a magnificent exchange between the guitar and mandolin.
Virtuoso accordionist Martin Tourish composed the medley “The House of Baoithín” which is a tribute to the mid-6th century Saint Baoithín.
Musicians: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh on vocals and fiddle; Ciarán Curran on bouzouki and mandolin; Dáithí Sproule on guitar; Mark Kelly on guitar and backing vocals; Martin Tourish on accordion; and Clare Friel on fiddle, viola, and vocals.
Guests: Jim Higgins on percussion; Steve Cooney on bass; and Graham Henderson on keyboards.
Buy Donegal.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.