Altan - Another Sky

Altan hails from the same part of Ireland as Clannad. But while that other County Donegal band has turned to middle-of-the-road pop, Altan walks down a more traditional path of Irish music. It's one connected to the revival begun when the Bothy Band and Boys of the Lough rediscovered an Irish musical tradition deeper than "Danny Boy." Like those forbears, Altan is more raucous, less ethereal, and relies on simple acoustic instruments and live performance to get their heritage across. That doesn't mean they're a musty repertory band, dusting off Irish curios like antique-shop keepers. Altan infuses their songs with a new vitality, led by the breathy voice of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, who sings in English and Gaelic. She and Ciarán Curran wrap twin fiddles around songs like "The High Fiddle Reel." On the many slow airs, including "Island Girl," Altan creates a rippling accompaniment of bouzoukis, guitars, flute, and accordion to Ní Mhaonaigh's voice. Altan is a welcome relief from the over-produced new Celtic music of recent years. --John Diliberto Amazon.com

Good compared to other bands...not so good for Altan.

This is perhaps my least favorite Altan album -- the selections of ballads are a little weak, and don't play to what I see as the band's strengths. Of the instrumentals, the set of slip jigs is the best bit on the album, but it hardly compares to the worst parts of such gems as Harvest Storm, Island Angel, and Red Crow. Really, the main criticism is that there are only four instrumental tracks on the album, one a waltz and one a slow air; for those seeking stirring reels and jigs, you won't find that here. November 18, 2007

disappointed

Unfortunately I was EXTREMELY unhappy after listening to the album. Unlike many other Altan fans, I view Maireads singing as the weakest part of the groups appeal despite their having chosen some excellent songs over the course of their recording career. The problem is that on this album they emphasize her singing to the almost total exclusion of their instrumentals which was what attracted me to the group in the first place. And the few instrumentals they do play are played with no spirit almost like "well I guess we have to put a few instrumentals on" kind of effort. I'm sorry, but she has a thin voice and is frequently shrill and off-key on many of their songs. She is however an excellent fiddler and that with the superb abilities of the other members and inspired arrangements made them for me the top Irish folk group. Alas they have decided to stress her poor-to-mediocre vocals instead of their great abilities in playing reels, jigs, etc. I miss Frankie Kennedy's flute too. Goodbye Altan, your best day's are over unless you revert to the format of the old days. June 9, 2002

more than worth the wait

The first time I heard Altan was on NPR. I was blown away by their stunning version of "Green Grow the Rushes." As soon as I returned home that day I looked up the album and stuck it on my wish list. It sat there for a great while. Happily, I received the disc as a Christmas present from a good friend of mine--a friend with wonderful taste in music. "Another Sky" is one of the best CD's I've heard in some time...and I'm not just saying that because it was a present. These folks can make music!

"Green Grow the Rushes" is haunting indeed. The first time I heard Altan perform it, the song was stuck in my head for days. I find this to be true of most of the songs that Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh sings on the disc. She has a beautiful voice. Although they are all great, I think my favorite song with lyrics on "Another Sky" is "Island Girl" (which is also the song that the disc takes its name from).

Two other songs that deserve special mention are "The Dispute at the Crossroads" and "Gusty's Frolicks." They are both great jigs. One can never get enough of those. The fiddle playing on this disc is excellent.

I am so glad that I received "Another Sky" for Christmas. It was well worth the wait. I give it my highest recommendation and urge you to get a copy--you won't be disappointed. January 3, 2002

Beautiful Voice

I took this cd, along with about 20 others, on a trip to Ireland last March. The travel group I was with included two cars full of Irish Americans most of whom were visiting the Emerald Isle for the first time. As a surprise for those riding in the "other car" I slipped this new Altan cd in the trunk located cd holder. Later those riding in that auto remarked on how much they enjoyed the one cd in particular with the woman who has the "beautiful voice." I was not surpised because this is one of my favorite cds, and though some additional songs in irish would be nice, it is nonetheless an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. This is a fine recording by one of the best traditional Irish music groups today. Try it, you will like it. October 6, 2000

A GREAT CD!

This, to me, is Altan's finest CD. The vocals are excellent, as always. The song arrangement makes it flow very well. Island Girl is a highlight, along with Green Grow the Rushes. But I especially like Mairead's beautiful singing on Eoghainin O' Ragadain. What a wonderful voice! If you like Altan, you will definitely love this CD! July 15, 2000

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