Search - The Bothy Band :: 1975: The First Album

Bothies vs. Planxty vs. Altan

kbwong | United States | 10/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To amplify a bit on the two reviews that clashed a bit:It's important to remember that the Bothies and Planxty were pioneers at the time. They each added to the tradition in different ways. The Bothy Band added a drive and percussive sound that has come to be identified with Irish traditional music -- indeed, many people who only know the more modern bands and artists such as Lunasa and Altan are almost shocked to hear the pure-drop stuff now, as it generally has no accompaniment like guitars or bodhrans or basses or such. Each were pioneers in the 70's and changed much about the face of traditional Irish music.Altan, now, is a wonderful band. Paddy Keenan said (in a Irish Music Magazine interview in Sept. 2000) that it's groups like Altan and Dervish that are now holding open the door, "opening the gateways, bringing the music to new audiences and putting their own mark on it, which is the way the tradition should evolve."Irish traditional musicians and fans Who Know still revere and love The Bothy Band. Without The Bothies and Planxty, groups like Altan and Dervish arguably could not exist."

Proto-album

Christopher | Boston | 06/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To say that I was shocked when I read the review of this album comparing it to Planxty and Altan would be an understatement. All three bands the first of their genre. Each has been unique because, in the broader catagory of "traditional folk music" they have managed to be truly inovative. This album, I remember well when it was releasd, was REVOLUTIONARY because of the fusion of driving rock like rythmns and traditional tunes. It turned everybodies head. To say that this was the most important album of the traditional celtic folk revival would not be far off the mark. Trust me. I was there!"

All time classic traditional album

Kenneth W. Tisdale | washington,nc,usa. | 12/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"for me, this album along with others from various musicians and bands inspired me to get into playing and appriciating celtic music and i would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the evolution of of this great music."