Clannad: Live At Christ Church Cathedral

Clannad

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Over the course of its forty-year career, Clannad has been responsible for timeless music such as "Theme From Harry's Game", "In A Lifetime", "I Will Find You" and the soundtrack to the TV series "Robin of Sherwood". Their music combines tradition and modernity, past and future with breathtakingly beautiful results.

The band consists of siblings Moya, Ciaran and Pol Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan and has sold more than fifteen million records since the release of their eponymous debut in 1973. Towards the end of the seventies she recruited her younger sister on piano and harmony vocals.

She worked on two albums and several tours with them before launching her own highly successful solo career as Enya. In those early years, the band developed their signature sound that is instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever heard it, and which has won them legions of fans in the incredibly successful years since.

The new live album and DVD were recorded in Dublin's historic Christ Church Cathedral on January 29, 2011. Being in such an intimate setting, the band decided to lean heavily on their early traditional material as the acoustic nature of these tracks would suit the setting well. Pol, who had left Clannad in 1990 to pursue solo interests, rejoined the band, marking the first time in over twenty years that the original five members had performed together again.

Moya Brennan says: "When we were asked to perform at Christ Church Cathedral, we were keen to put together a unique show that would complement the spectacular surroundings. It was the first time in many years that we had played in such an intimate setting and in such an intimate setting." When we chose the program, we went right back to the beginning of our forty years as a band. We even start the show with the first song Clannad ever played together.

"The show is almost like a history of the band," adds Ciaran, "as in the beginning there were only five of us on stage and gradually we were joined by some wonderful musicians and very special guests. The setting of The Architecture of the Cathedral provided the perfect backdrop for us and it all felt very special that night."

2013 promises to be another landmark year for the band as they embark on a new European tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Confirmed tour dates can be viewed here, with more dates to be announced. A new studio album is due to be recorded later in the year.

It is indeed fascinating to think that what is now generally considered Celtic music was initially called "Clannad music". There is perhaps no better testament to the impact of this seminal group than this.

Works:

•Thios chois na tra domh
•Dtigeas a damhsa
•Crann ull
•Na buachailli a´lainn
•Coinleach glas an fhomhair
•Mhaire bruinheall
•Eleanor Plunkett
•Two sisters
•Buachaill on eirne
•Newgrance
•Eirigh is cuir ort do chuid eadaigh
•Mhorag´s na horo gheallaidh
•Robin of Sherwood
•Media vita
•Caislean oir
•In a lifetime
•I will find you
•Theme from Harry´s game
•Dulaman
•Down by the sally gardens
•Nil se ina la
•Teidhir abhaile riu

DVD

ARC Music

18/01/2013

5019396001558