Search - Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem :: Essential Collection

Another half-baked rip-off of an important group

Francis King | Calgary, AB, Canada | 03/03/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I'm becoming weary of these hastily-assembled, poorly selected compilations. Is this from the band's classic Columbia catalogue (that's been so shamefully neglected by Sony)? I doubt it. And why is there only 12 songs when the CD likely can hold twice as many as this? I'm continually mystified as to why this group - which single-handedly rescued Irish music from Bing Crosby and paved the way for the Dubliners, Chieftains, Wolfe Tones, etc - has been treated so shabbily. Tommy, Liam, Tom and Paddy deserve better. If you want decent Clancy cds, the best bet is In Person At Carnegie Hall and Reunion."

Old Ways are Best

Francis King | 04/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Reunion concerts are fine for nostalgia, but there's nothing like original recordings to capture artists at their peak. This collection is surprising and moving, compiling less obvious choices into a seamless, lilting/carousing whole."