Search - Altan :: Altan's Finest

The tunes on Altan's Finest are drawn from the pre-Altan work of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, and Altan's first two releases Horse with a Heart and The Red Crow. For traditionalists this was the band's finest period, a time when they didn't stray too far from their roots. The selections come from all over the Celtic world and include tunes from Scotland and Cape Breton, along with Irish dance melodies and songs. The band is led by Ní Mhaonaigh, a singer with a voice of rare beauty who is equally skilled on the fiddle. But Altan is more than just a backup band. Each member is a skilled musician and they are all given ample space to shine. This CD is an excellent introduction to the early years of one of the most exciting Irish band of the 1990s. --Michael Simmons