Music
Press
"The material (on Blackwater) is largely traditional... the final piece, is simply the most captiving, resonant and beautiful music Altan have played, and makes useless for three and a half minutes the history of rock 'n' roll"
- Mojo
Altan's tireless touring has won them a loyal following especially in America, and helped them make impressive inroads on world music charts - Billboard
Thought by many to be the finest traditional Irish combo working today, Altan seamlessly blend dazzling instrumental prowess and the gorgeously delicate vocals of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh - Chicago Weekly
"Mairead Ni Mhaonaighs' beautiful airs had us begging for more. Every corner seemed to echo with her voice long after the music had stopped" - Evening Press
"The hottest group in the Celtic realm these days" - The Boston Globe review
"Altan's special strength is the clarity and coordination of its textures" - New York Times
Fresh from their well-deserved win in the Roots category at last week's Hot Press Awards, Altan put on a humdinger of a show at the Olympia on Saturday night - Evening Herald (Dublin)
Discography
The Poison Glen (2012, Compass Records)
Altan with the R.T.E Orchestra (2010 Keltia Musique),
Local Ground (2005 Vertical records/keltia musique),
The Blue Idol (2002 Virgin records),
Another Sky (2000 Virgin records),
Runaway Sunday (1997 Virgin records ),
Blackwater (1996 Virgin records), Island Angel (1993 Green linnet),
Harvest Storm ( 1991 Green linnet), The red crow (1990 Green linnet),
Horse with a Heart (1989, green linnet),
Altan (1987 Green linnet),
Ceol Aduaidh (1983 Gael-linn)
Frankie Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh:
Ceol Aduaidh (Music of the North) (1983)
Altan (1987)
Altan Studio Albums:
Horse with a Heart (1989)
The Red Crow (1990)
Harvest Storm (1991)
Island Angel (1993)
Blackwater (1996)
Runaway Sunday (1997)
Another Sky (2000)
The Blue Idol (2002)
Local Ground (2005)
Altan Compilations:
Once Again 1987- 93 (1993)
The First Ten Years (1986-1995) (1995)
Best Of Altan (1997)
Altan's Finest (1999)
The Best of Altan: The Songs (2003)
Photos
Bio
MPI & Naïade Productions present ALTAN for Womex
Altan have gained gold and platinum status in Ireland and have won numerous awards in the music as one of the most
popular bands playing traditional folk and the world music in the world. Altan, the most influential Irish band of the last
twenty years, plays a lively authentic and traditional music from
Donegal carried by the sweetest voice of Mairéad Ni
Mhaonaigh. Altan were celebrating 25 years together in 2010. Over those years they have established themselves as one of the most
important live acts to play traditional Irish music in Ireland and on the World stage. Altan have proven to be important ambassadors of the music and culture of Ireland such as The Chieftains and The
Dubliners.
Music Reviews -Album The Poison Glen
“Altan’s music has always been true to the roots from which it has grown, always injecting something new as they approach a set of tunes, or something beautiful when Mairead’s voice floats over slow air or a love song. This new album combines all of the freshness that is characteristic of this great band, together with a rare depth and purity that can only come from the souls of superb musicians.”
Bill Whelan
“Scholarly, sophisticated, equally spontaneous in session or in the studio, Altan, once more, enliven their great tradition, confound our expectations and draw us all home to Donegal.”
Stephen Rea, actor
“The twin peaks of Dermot Byrne’s accordion and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh’s voice and fiddle propel Altan into their 30th year. Byrne’s plaintive, high-lonesome tones define the shape of The Blackest Crow with Ní Mhaonaigh’s beatific vocals drawing the sorrowful tale ever skywards. Instrumentally, Altan have never sounded better or tighter. They’ve invited Belfast flute player Harry Bradley to join the fray, and his jagged-edged style adds a refreshing sharpness to several tunes, in particular the opening pair of slip jigs headlined by A Fig for a Kiss. Jimmy Higgins guests on bodhrán, punctuating tunes with his customary subtlety. Altan’s song choices are standouts in both Irish and English, and they commandeer the American ballad The Lily of the West as if it was a Gweedore native. This is richly layered musicianship shot through with a verve.” -The Irish Times
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