Journey: The Best of Donal Lunny

Amazon.com
Dónal Lunny (pronounced "Loony") is a guitar and bouzouki virtuoso, composer, bandleader, producer, and promoter who has founded, sat in with, recorded, and presented more than 30 years' worth of epoch-making Irish acts. Of course, a two-CD compilation cannot adequately relate his entire story, but this one makes a good start and even better listening. Many of his important band affiliations are represented, including the Bothy Band, Planxty, Moving Hearts (an especially legendary outfit), and Coolfin. Among the guest artists are Sharon Shannon, Christy Moore, Maighread and Triona Ní Dhomnaill, Frank Harte, and Hossam Ramzy. The second disc concludes with "Millennium Suite," a spectacular concept work commissioned by RTE (Ireland's national broadcast company) and presented worldwide by the BBC on December 31, 1999. It showcases Celtic traditions from Wales, Northern Ireland, Galicia, Brittany, Scotland, and Nova Scotia, with each movement led by a musician from that nation. --Christina Roden

Tracks:

The Kesh Jig/Give Us A Drink Of Water/Famous Ballymote
The Ballymun Regatta
Cavan Potholes
Tribute To Peadar O'Donnell
Smeceno Horo
Spanish Lady
Theme From 'This Is My Father'
Shan Van Vocht
Cathain
April The 3rd

Tracks:

Glentown: Miss Monaghan's/The Man Of The House/The Green Fields Of Glentown/The Mountain Lark
The Time Has Come
Poirt: Across The Hall
The Blacksmith
The Mousekin Shoe & Dancing In Allihies
Amhran Pheader Breathnach
Declan
Millennium Suite: Gleaisaigi (Tog Out)
Millennium Suite: La Blanche Hermine
Millennium Suite: Fairy Reel
Millennium Suite: Malltraeth
Millennium Suite: The New Rigged Ship
Millennium Suite: Life Love Happiness
Millennium Suite: La Irish Costa De Galicia

Amazon.com

Dónal Lunny (pronounced "Loony") is a guitar and bouzouki virtuoso, composer, bandleader, producer, and promoter who has founded, sat in with, recorded, and presented more than 30 years' worth of epoch-making Irish acts. Of course, a two-CD compilation cannot adequately relate his entire story, but this one makes a good start and even better listening. Many of his important band affiliations are represented, including the Bothy Band, Planxty, Moving Hearts (an especially legendary outfit), and Coolfin. Among the guest artists are Sharon Shannon, Christy Moore, Maighread and Triona Ní Dhomnaill, Frank Harte, and Hossam Ramzy. The second disc concludes with "Millennium Suite," a spectacular concept work commissioned by RTE (Ireland's national broadcast company) and presented worldwide by the BBC on December 31, 1999. It showcases Celtic traditions from Wales, Northern Ireland, Galicia, Brittany, Scotland, and Nova Scotia, with each movement led by a musician from that nation. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Runnin' With the Best of the Irish Players.......2002-04-20

If you had one name to run in a poll to name the single person who had the greatest influence over the development of modern Irish music. That name would be Dónal Lunny from Co. Kildare. His plethora of occupations include guitar, bouzouki & bodhrán player, composer, arranger, band leader, producer and musical director. What set him apart is the innovation and experimentation during the 1960's with different blend and technique of guitar chords.

In those early 60's his career took off followed after a short spell with the band Emmet Spiceland. He then met up with Christy Moore. There it all began to blossom into the most influential music and one of the best Irish composers today. Each of his creative and original bands, Planxty, the Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, and just recently Coolfin. The electic talent has been so successful that it redefines the current state of the Irish arts. His music links to idioms as Breton, West African, Mediterranean Europe and contemporary rock to hip hop. All of these are reflected in his composition and styling of his work. His production work is very diverse as he has the likes of Altan, Elvis Costello, country artist Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopler.

This album highlights more than 25 years of his performing career. Also presents performances with Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Brian Kennedy, Ireland's fiddle master Natalie MacMaster and Andy Irvine. This also features the unreleased version of 'Millenium Suite' by Coolfin. Even includes the 9 minute epic 'Tribute to Peadar O'Donnell.' With everything like this that lays the foundation of excellent Irish contemporary sound has made it's place in the modern music industry. This 2 set CD gathers together some of the best work composed during the span of 2 decades. This is truly a journey to experience. This would be a great addition to anyone's collection who appreciates fine music.

Bring on the bouzouki!.......2001-04-14

Although this cd set includes tunes from the phemonmenal Bothy Band from 20 years ago, as well as Moving Hearts, and some other assembled musicians, this all sounds fresh and new. This is a perfect follow up to Donal's last effort, Coolfin, with many of the same superb musicians that appeared on that cd: John McSherry, Nollaig Casey, Sharon Shannon, for example. You can't go wrong with this, if you like Irish music played with passion by musicians willing and able to bend the rules.