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who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Who is your favourite trad band and why? Mine is the Donal Lunney band from 1997. The album recorded lice in the national concert hall still does it for me every time.Damien Quinn on the bodhran does some amazing things on it !
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Kinda depends on how you define "trad." I love Altan, and I'm becoming fond of Danú and Teada. I also like an American band called "Kilkenny Road." I like Clannad's older stuff, but can't stand the "new agey" stuff they got into later.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Over the long haul, I would have to say Altan, as they have done some of my favorite stuff, and keep putting out the kind of stuff I like.
And although I don't like the newer albums, I will never forget hearing that first Solas album on the radio. Wow!
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
There are several other bands that qualify as my favorites, including Altan, Danu, Dervish to name but a few.
But I guess your questions is to pick one present and one past so...
Bands past, I have to agree with the Bothy Band. Their settings and executions still define certain tunes for me. Bands present is a little tougher to call but I think I'd have to say Teada. I love the balance and lift they bring to the tunes.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
yep, first two Solas albums are up there for me, because they kick ass. What about soloists? is Mary Bergin a band? and Brian Finnegan? (yes, I'm a whistler)
I don't know why but Altan never really pushed my buttons (despite being great), and The Bothy Band sound a little dated now, a little TOO standard .....
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
"The Press Gang" probably because they were the first Irish unaccompanied harmony group. "The Shtiff Six" not their real name but a nickname given to the musicians who played for the Mullagh Set Dancers in the 50's and 60's included Paddy Galvin(fiddle), Junior Crehan (fiddle), J C Talty (Pipes), Jimmy Ward (Banjo), ? Sexton (Accordeon), J P Downs (Flute), Willie Clancy (Pipes), John Fennell (Whistle) and three or four more whose names escape me.
Modern groups would have to include "De Danaan" especially with Dolores Keane when she was singing trad songs. "La Lugh" and "Skylark" and to a certain extent "Altan".
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Present: Lunasa, the one and only. Though they are a bit less Trad, they (w/ and without McSherry) are really good players and I like every disc they have especially "Kinnity Sessions". I'm also fond of Teada, Danu, Solas and especially Flook.
Past: I like "Boys of the Lough", I assume they're not very popular but they're the only "Old band" I have since most of the bands
I hear are quite new. Gimme a few more years I'll get to the old ones
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Jim Troy
I saw the Press Gang a couple of times in Donegal once in Buncrana and I think Letterkenny, sometime afterwards we were playing in Brittany and found Sean Corcoran on his beam ends. Along with a Breton militant the 3 of us (Quilty) plus these two reprobates spent 11 hours in the cells of Plymouth Police station under the prevention of terrorism act. We managed to sing a few songs together before being told in no uncertain terms to shut the f**k up.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Bothy Band (with Tommy Peoples) and Stockton's Wing (instrumental stuff); more recent bands would be Danu and maybe Dervish although having seen Lunasa live at Kinnity Castle, they'd also have to be included.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Presently, its Sliabh Notes. They play great polkas and slides with high energy. Past is Trian. What a great combination - Liz Carroll, Billy McComiskey, and Daithi Sproule. Their original tunes are excellent (like Billy's The New Leaf) and so are the songs.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Altan is an old favorite of mine; Lunasa has more talent at arrangements and compositions, though. I know Liz Carroll isn't always a trad player, but her technique is mind-blowing and she writes excellent tunes.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Old Band? The Bothy Band
( Some would say they werent' a traditional band at all....
clavichord ? guitar ? howerya !!!! , but I don't care )
Their individual instrumental firepower was awesome.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
The Bothy Band blew everyone away. Hearing them live in those days was a trip. They were like the Stones compared to the Peter Paul and Mary of what was going on at the time.
That said Chieftains 1 2 3 4 were great albums.
Now Dervish I guess, but generally people play too well and introduce too much clever stuff harmonies and the like.
I remember when Matt Molloy was not accepted by the mainstream musicians becuse his playing was not "traditional"
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
What no mention of Planxty who started it all for me and have never been surpassed imho.
Bothy Band and De Dannan were also truly great but now Dervish rule with Danu a close second.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Yea, I was very surprised to see Planxty didnt get a mention till the 27th comment. They are still years ahead of most of the new bands in my opinion. Would love to hear a new and exciting line up. Dunno who in it though.A new type instrument band even.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Favourite has always been Solas...especially their earlier albums (though I own and like all 7 of them!)...also like a lot of other bands...Teada, Lunasa, Danu, Altan, Sliabh Notes, Bothy Band...too many to name really!
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
If the Bothies are dated, then so is Irish traditional music. Wait a minute, by it's very defination traditional music is dated so sounding dated must mean you're getting it right!
BTW - another honorable mention I neglicted earlier, and one that has been a big influence on me, The Tulla Ceili Band!
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I'm not sure how "too standard" equates with "dated" either. Surely, "standard" is more likely to be timeless and, therefore, a good thing.
It's surely the music which is more experimental or trendy which is danger of dating, especially if it's not done right. Of course, groups likeThe Bothy Band and Planxty were groundbreaking too in their time but their strength lies in the fact that they "set the standard" for most of which followed.
However, there are many other one time "fashionable" bands you sound really dated now. Remember Horslips?
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Dated is very subjective. Are Michael Coleman's recordings
"dated"? Is that a bad thing? My point was that standard tunes and settings have been around quite a while which is what makes them traditional, they've stood the test of time. Why must "dated" have a negative conotation? Shoot, I just turned 50 so I guess I'm a little dated myself but I assure you, there is very little negative about me -
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
So where do you guys find "Sliabh Notes" CDs? I checked Amazon, and they only have one (for $29.95!!!!). Sounds like a good group (I love slides!), but my music budget is a bit limited....
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
My favourite band is Planxty, their DVD introduced me to traditional music and inspired me to start Bouzouki. I'm too young to have heard them and watched them live the first tme round. But I got to see them live in January which was the highlight of my year, I got photos with them and everything. The way Andy and Donal play together is amazing, just full of counter melodies and all sorts, combining differant elements.
My second favourite has to be Mozaik, again I saw them live, great band. And my 3rd favourite like most people is Bothy Band.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Teada and their second album are fantastic.
Altan, with Local Ground still has me fixated. In the past my favorite was Dervish up to the Mid Summer's Night album and DVD. The chemistry has changed with the death of their manager and band members leaving. Danu through their first four albums was great. New chemistry, but its probably me that needs to catch up, play to the tunes with a good supply of ale for awhile. Liz Carroll did some nice early work in duet with Diatha Sproule. Of course, I can't leave out the Chieftains, Planxty and Bothy Band as pioneers of the genre.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Coel, you mention 7 bands. This is a complete failure to address the question. You are not alone. Why is the above question such a difficult one for people to answer without endless qualifications and addenda? I know that the Chieftains, Planxty and Bothy Band were great, but what has that to do with the question?
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I cant keep it to just 2 either
Earlier stuff The first two Solas albums and the very first Lunasa with McSherry.
Now Flook without a doubt. Love that stuff.
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Re: " Shtiff Six": Accordeon player was Michael Sexton, may he rest in peace. Great box player, my own personal favorite! Also one of my all time favorites, Moving Cloud with barn dances by Ed Reavy. An older recording, but well worth listening to!
who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Who is your favourite trad band and why? Mine is the Donal Lunney band from 1997. The album recorded lice in the national concert hall still does it for me every time.Damien Quinn on the bodhran does some amazing things on it !
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Sorry that should have been live not lice!
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Kinda depends on how you define "trad." I love Altan, and I'm becoming fond of Danú and Teada. I also like an American band called "Kilkenny Road." I like Clannad's older stuff, but can't stand the "new agey" stuff they got into later.
Redwolf
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by MacTireRua
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Probably the Bothy Band, but I can't get ahold of any of their CD's :(
I love the Tannahil Weavers for consistency. Then again I guess they'e Scots.
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by wormdiet
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
The Tannahill Weavers? What can I say? They are consistent, I'll admit that.
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by John J Returns
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Over the long haul, I would have to say Altan, as they have done some of my favorite stuff, and keep putting out the kind of stuff I like.
And although I don't like the newer albums, I will never forget hearing that first Solas album on the radio. Wow!
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by AlBrown
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
There are several other bands that qualify as my favorites, including Altan, Danu, Dervish to name but a few.
But I guess your questions is to pick one present and one past so...
Bands past, I have to agree with the Bothy Band. Their settings and executions still define certain tunes for me. Bands present is a little tougher to call but I think I'd have to say Teada. I love the balance and lift they bring to the tunes.
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
yep, first two Solas albums are up there for me, because they kick ass. What about soloists? is Mary Bergin a band? and Brian Finnegan? (yes, I'm a whistler)
I don't know why but Altan never really pushed my buttons (despite being great), and The Bothy Band sound a little dated now, a little TOO standard .....
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by Frulator
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
for me it would have to the original lunasa band,which was,mcgoldrick,mcsherry,steve cooney,sean smyth and jim higgins.the best i ever heard
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by fused
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
"The Press Gang" probably because they were the first Irish unaccompanied harmony group. "The Shtiff Six" not their real name but a nickname given to the musicians who played for the Mullagh Set Dancers in the 50's and 60's included Paddy Galvin(fiddle), Junior Crehan (fiddle), J C Talty (Pipes), Jimmy Ward (Banjo), ? Sexton (Accordeon), J P Downs (Flute), Willie Clancy (Pipes), John Fennell (Whistle) and three or four more whose names escape me.
Modern groups would have to include "De Danaan" especially with Dolores Keane when she was singing trad songs. "La Lugh" and "Skylark" and to a certain extent "Altan".
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by Ian Stevenson
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Present: Lunasa, the one and only. Though they are a bit less Trad, they (w/ and without McSherry) are really good players and I like every disc they have especially "Kinnity Sessions". I'm also fond of Teada, Danu, Solas and especially Flook.
Past: I like "Boys of the Lough", I assume they're not very popular but they're the only "Old band" I have since most of the bands
I hear are quite new. Gimme a few more years I'll get to the old ones
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by thesheep
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
'Is Mary Bergin a band?'
What sort of damn-fool question is that? tsk!
My favourite current band has to be Sliabh Notes, though I greatly admire Lunasa.
Past band is De Danaan, for massive warmth and energy.
Mark
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by Ottery
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
La Lugh and Skylark are special. Peoples/Ryan also for lovely loose tightness.
Snorre
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by snorre
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Hmm... Probably Altan and Lunasa and Solas because they all kick ass!
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by m
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Jim Troy
I saw the Press Gang a couple of times in Donegal once in Buncrana and I think Letterkenny, sometime afterwards we were playing in Brittany and found Sean Corcoran on his beam ends. Along with a Breton militant the 3 of us (Quilty) plus these two reprobates spent 11 hours in the cells of Plymouth Police station under the prevention of terrorism act. We managed to sing a few songs together before being told in no uncertain terms to shut the f**k up.
# Posted on June 1st 2005 by Ian Stevenson
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Bothy Band (with Tommy Peoples) and Stockton's Wing (instrumental stuff); more recent bands would be Danu and maybe Dervish although having seen Lunasa live at Kinnity Castle, they'd also have to be included.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Bannerman
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Presently, its Sliabh Notes. They play great polkas and slides with high energy. Past is Trian. What a great combination - Liz Carroll, Billy McComiskey, and Daithi Sproule. Their original tunes are excellent (like Billy's The New Leaf) and so are the songs.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by tacoman
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I'll go along with bands like Shaskeen. You can actually learn tunes properly from the playing of bands like that.
Trevor
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by lazyhound
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Altan is an old favorite of mine; Lunasa has more talent at arrangements and compositions, though. I know Liz Carroll isn't always a trad player, but her technique is mind-blowing and she writes excellent tunes.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Saiget
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Now:
Teada - They just take my breath away. The CD is NOTHING compared to seeing them live. Brilliant. Ow my heart aches..
Lunasa - Isn't it a very blue name? I just love them. I think the accompaniment is the best I've heard although not very traditional.
Then:
Bothy Band: Period.
And let's just pretend Elizabeth Crotty is a band: Her playing is beautiful and so clear! I love the settings of her tunes. Gah, lovely!!
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by fiddlinviolinin
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Old Band? The Bothy Band
( Some would say they werent' a traditional band at all....
clavichord ? guitar ? howerya !!!! , but I don't care )
Their individual instrumental firepower was awesome.
Modern Band ? "Moher" ( Over the Edge etc )
Pat
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Pat Higgins
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
The Bothy Band blew everyone away. Hearing them live in those days was a trip. They were like the Stones compared to the Peter Paul and Mary of what was going on at the time.
That said Chieftains 1 2 3 4 were great albums.
Now Dervish I guess, but generally people play too well and introduce too much clever stuff harmonies and the like.
I remember when Matt Molloy was not accepted by the mainstream musicians becuse his playing was not "traditional"
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by jeandegingins
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
What no mention of Planxty who started it all for me and have never been surpassed imho.
Bothy Band and De Dannan were also truly great but now Dervish rule with Danu a close second.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Pjhill
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Yea, I was very surprised to see Planxty didnt get a mention till the 27th comment. They are still years ahead of most of the new bands in my opinion. Would love to hear a new and exciting line up. Dunno who in it though.A new type instrument band even.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Favourite has always been Solas...especially their earlier albums (though I own and like all 7 of them!)...also like a lot of other bands...Teada, Lunasa, Danu, Altan, Sliabh Notes, Bothy Band...too many to name really!
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Crysania
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
The Bothies - dated??? don't think so. They've probably influenced most trad thats around now.
They were amazing, and they still are.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Hugo Chavez
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I'll second that 'stefanpaz'
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by curlew
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Ill third that
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
If the Bothies are dated, then so is Irish traditional music. Wait a minute, by it's very defination traditional music is dated so sounding dated must mean you're getting it right!
BTW - another honorable mention I neglicted earlier, and one that has been a big influence on me, The Tulla Ceili Band!
Ken
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I'm not sure how "too standard" equates with "dated" either. Surely, "standard" is more likely to be timeless and, therefore, a good thing.
It's surely the music which is more experimental or trendy which is danger of dating, especially if it's not done right. Of course, groups likeThe Bothy Band and Planxty were groundbreaking too in their time but their strength lies in the fact that they "set the standard" for most of which followed.
However, there are many other one time "fashionable" bands you sound really dated now. Remember Horslips?
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by John J Returns
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Dated is very subjective. Are Michael Coleman's recordings
"dated"? Is that a bad thing? My point was that standard tunes and settings have been around quite a while which is what makes them traditional, they've stood the test of time. Why must "dated" have a negative conotation? Shoot, I just turned 50 so I guess I'm a little dated myself but I assure you, there is very little negative about me -
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
So where do you guys find "Sliabh Notes" CDs? I checked Amazon, and they only have one (for $29.95!!!!). Sounds like a good group (I love slides!), but my music budget is a bit limited....
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by MacTireRua
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Try Custy's in Ennis, that where I got mine from (see other thread)
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by Ottery
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
My favourite band is Planxty, their DVD introduced me to traditional music and inspired me to start Bouzouki. I'm too young to have heard them and watched them live the first tme round. But I got to see them live in January which was the highlight of my year, I got photos with them and everything. The way Andy and Donal play together is amazing, just full of counter melodies and all sorts, combining differant elements.
My second favourite has to be Mozaik, again I saw them live, great band. And my 3rd favourite like most people is Bothy Band.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by ecidralla
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Teada and their second album are fantastic.
Altan, with Local Ground still has me fixated. In the past my favorite was Dervish up to the Mid Summer's Night album and DVD. The chemistry has changed with the death of their manager and band members leaving. Danu through their first four albums was great. New chemistry, but its probably me that needs to catch up, play to the tunes with a good supply of ale for awhile. Liz Carroll did some nice early work in duet with Diatha Sproule. Of course, I can't leave out the Chieftains, Planxty and Bothy Band as pioneers of the genre.
# Posted on June 2nd 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Coel, you mention 7 bands. This is a complete failure to address the question. You are not alone. Why is the above question such a difficult one for people to answer without endless qualifications and addenda? I know that the Chieftains, Planxty and Bothy Band were great, but what has that to do with the question?
# Posted on June 3rd 2005 by Ottery
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Four Men and a Dog, and anything with Brendan Muvlihill in it.
Weird keys but I like it
# Posted on June 3rd 2005 by never-trust-a-violinist
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I can't spell at this hour, either.
# Posted on June 3rd 2005 by never-trust-a-violinist
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Past - Planxty 1st time around
Present - Planxty 2004 DVD - present
Future - Planxty
Because the move me and I do not tire of listening to them!
# Posted on June 3rd 2005 by mikk
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
I cant keep it to just 2 either
Earlier stuff The first two Solas albums and the very first Lunasa with McSherry.
Now Flook without a doubt. Love that stuff.
# Posted on June 3rd 2005 by bb
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Planxty, Bothy Band, Skara Brae
Altan, Dervish
Beginish
# Posted on June 5th 2005 by Lizzy
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Hi Lizzie, sorry to wind you up but who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
# Posted on June 6th 2005 by Ottery
Re: who is your favourite Irish trad band present and past & why?
Re: " Shtiff Six": Accordeon player was Michael Sexton, may he rest in peace. Great box player, my own personal favorite! Also one of my all time favorites, Moving Cloud with barn dances by Ed Reavy. An older recording, but well worth listening to!
# Posted on June 6th 2005 by moria enya