Search - Clannad :: Crann Ull

Great Traditional Irish Music

10/20/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an outstanding, classic Clannad recording. Many of these are traditional tunes or have that traditional sound. Interesting vocals on these tracks. You need to add this one to your collection !!!"

Clannad's crossroad

Anna | 09/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the last of Clannad's purely traditional albums, later on followed by Magical Ring and the success of Theme from Harry's Game. Maybe this one doesn't have really strong and sparkling moments as in case of Dulaman or Fuaim, but even this more peaceful sounds from Donegal turn into masterpieces after Clannad's rearrangement. The most notable ones are for sure Maire's harp instrumental Lá Coimhthioch Fan Dtuath, Gathering the Mushrooms and Cruiscin Lan, song that got very popular after Flann O'Brien's columns for The Irish Times of the same title, which is now quite hard to find recorded or performed. This is also the last album with Enya as a vocal and instrumentalist, after which her career went only upwards. This is a great CD for collectors of Clannad's albums and Irish folk in general."

Clannad's Best

Anna | 02/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was released in 1980, three years before "Magical Ring" would signal Clannad's entrance into the world of soundtracks, New Age, and rock. It is the mature, final stage of their life as a traditional Irish group, and in about thirty sweet minutes, it shows their unparalleled strength as traditional musicians. The arrangements are better than on any of the albums that went before, as fine as those were (and you should own them all). Lyrical and beautiful, traditional and heartfelt... what can one say? This is Irish music at its finest. No rip-roaring instrumentals, however; it's gentler than that, quiet and lovely, each song a gem. I bought it when it was released (or rather, my tolerant parents bought it for me) and have been listening to it ever since, and have never grown tired of it. Especially Maire's haunting "Strange Day in the Countryside" seems to have inexhaustible depths. I'm a bit sad nowadays as I listen to the hyper-produced sound of Clannad's new albums (and Maire's -- sorry, but ugh!) Crann Ull was a time when Maire didn't need Enya's banks of synthesizers and vocal effects. It's pure and clear as water from a holy well, which in fact it is -- water from the holy well of Celtic tradition. Buy it, buy it, buy it -- do it now!"