Search - Danu :: When All Is Said & Done

The young tradition

Jerome Clark | Canby, Minnesota | 08/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Danu carries on the Irish tradition in high fashion, all of the musicians young but already more than casually rooted in the various styles of Celtic folk music. Guitarist Donal Clancy, the son of Liam, a towering presence in the Irish revival as both solo artist and Clancy Brother (not to mention a crucial influence on the young Bob Dylan), comes from a particularly prominent musical heritage, but the other band members all have their own impressive resumes. The music, bright, skillfully executed, and entirely acoustic, underscores the young generation of Celtic artists' turn away from the synthesized approach that, not all that long ago, drove lots of Irish recordings into the New Age bins. Happily, Danu will have none of that.



Dylan's "Farewell, Angelina," which manages to sound at once wildly surreal and deeply traditional (just like, come to think of it, many authentic folk songs), is an inspired cover among the CD's five vocal outings. Many years ago I heard the ballad called here "Only Nineteen Years Old" as "A Very Unfortunate Man," one of those shaggy-dog songs akin to "Four Nights Drunk," exploring the comic possibilities of marital treachery. Paul Brady's "Follow on" is an elegantly romantic vision of life, love, and landscape, sung with admirable nuance by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.



One hopes Danu is a band merely in its infancy, with more and even finer to come as it grows and matures. Meantime, we have this excellent CD in which to revel."

What a wonderful group...

C. Adams | Warroad, MN United States | 08/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We had the great privilege to see Danu live at the Saint Paul Irish Fair (MN). Absolutely wonderful music....and they're likable, witty and just plain nice on top of everything. The only niggle I have is that I missed the uillean pipes...not a one to be seen or heard at the whole fair (unless I missed something). I had hoped Danu would have the piper and the guy who sings "Fair & Tender Ladies" (my favorite that Danu did-or maybe favorite song period-it's off of "Think Before You Think")but it was not to be. We bought this CD and had them autograph it...give it a try...it's got some beautiful songs (Follow On) and some rolicking trad music as well."

The Modern Ancient Tradition

Kevin L. Nenstiel | Kearney, Nebraska | 06/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is a rising tide in Irish traditional music. Acts like Lunasa and Deanta are moving away from the simple, repetetive, high-pitched tunes of the traditional ceilidh and making music that draws upon influences of various pop forms to create a listenable, accessible hybrid with a broad and diverse audience. And one of the leading proponents of this hybrid form on this, their sixth album, is the young band from County Waterford, Danu.



Danu's underlying sound is driven not by fiddle and pipes but by guitar and bodhran. This gives the sound a lower-pitched harmonic that suggests Bleeker Street folk music. Lead vocalist Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh complements this sound well with an alto vocal timbre that is almost more reminiscent of American country-and-western than more conventional Irish music. Muireann sings five songs, three in English and two in Irish, and there is a pleasing resonance as her voice bounces off the instruments to create a sound that is unmistakably that of only one band.



Though Danu isn't just another fiddle-and-pipes band, they are firmly rooted in the Gaelic tradition. The instrumentals on this album are mostly traditional jigs, hornpipes, reels, and other dance-related sounds. And though one of the songs they sing is a Bob Dylan protest number (and a nicely integrated and unforced arrangement, too), the other four songs are old beaters given new life by the band's distinctive sound.



None of the tracks on this disc feels frivolous, or like it was hung on as filler. None of the arrangements are overstuffed, despite the healthy number of musicians playing. All the players are willing to immerse themselves in the greater whole of the band, letting their instruments contribute without having to make a star turn. And the sound is distinctive and proprietary to this band; it's hard to imagine anyone else sounding like this.



This is a good album for fans ot Danu, for fans of Irish folk music, and a good introduction to the form for anyone who wants to learn more about the Celtic tradition. It bears up to repeated listening, and there are tracks for all moods. Few albums merit the kind of unmitigated praise of a discerning critic, but this is definitely one that deserves more and better superlatives. For fans of good, innovative, melodic music, this CD is a must."