Altan - The Blue Idol

On The Blue Idol, Irish music superstars Altan have come up with an elegant solution to the problem of how to play music that satisfies both the traditional purist and the fan who wants a contemporary edge in his or her music. When the band members play instrumental sets of dance tunes, they never stray far from their Donegal roots, and when they sing songs they stretch the boundaries by performing with guest artists like Paul Brady and Dolly Parton while adding unexpected instruments like didgeridoo and saxophone. On songs such as "Daily Growing" and "Uncle Rat"--which feature the exquisite voice of Mairéd Ní Mhaonaigh--the band creates a mood of jazzy medievalism that reveals hints of Pentangle's early recordings. And when they hunker down for a set of jigs or reels, they play with the sort of passionate abandon you only hear at the finest sessions. The contemporary and traditional strains of music on The Blue Idol are like two streams that join together to form a river that flows further and with more power than either could alone. --Michael Simmons Amazon.com

Great Example of High-Spirited Celtic Tradional Music

I love this CD because of it's range of sounds and tracks - it goes from reels to jigs and to songs sung in Gaelic. Overall the band is very tight - Altan's best CD yet! August 12, 2003

Could have been so much better.

I'm really torn on this CD... it starts off with three of the most beautiful peices of music I've ever heard. And then what? Nothing... this CD is a perfect mix of the best and the most cliche and boring. Tracks 1,2,3, and 7 are beautiful and unique, while tracks 5,6,8 and 9 are makes of tunes that have been played by practically every Celtic band, whether Irish or Scottish, thats out there. And there is nothing about these later mentioned tracks that distinguishes them from the ordinary. So what this CD does is leave me skipping tracks. I do think though, that the good tracks alone are worth buying the whole CD, however boring the other tracks are. Altan is a respectable artist, but I can think of many other artists, better, and more complete in their goodness. If you don't mind the lack of vocals, Lunasa is one of the best Irish bands you can hear. Your money would be better spent on "Otherworld" by the aforementioned band. January 6, 2003

Another Stong Outing

A longtime fan of Altan, I am very pleased with new CD. The band seems only to grow stonger and more confident with each new outing. Their live shows become more intimate and spontaneous. I especially enjoyed "Daily Growing", "Pretty Young Girl" and all the reel and jig sets. This is an excellent CD for fans of Irish or Celtic music. November 17, 2002

This Album makes us feel at home

Thanks to all participating musicians for this superb album.
Listening to these tunes with closed eyes gives us the feeling as if we are sitting inside "Cul A Dun" in Teelin, Co.Donegal !
Especially Mairead's voice and her fiddleplay and Dermot's relaxed boxplaying is full of harmony. Nothing could be better!
( Except the next album...maybe ). October 12, 2002

celtic new age

a perfect cross-breed between melody-celtic-and-new age. Their best yet! April 15, 2002

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