An Diolaim: Folk Roots of One of Ireland's Groups

Amazon.com
This collection takes the internationally known group back to their roots, drawing together the best of Clannad's early recordings. Though not as commercial or pop-oriented as their later work--the instrumentation is all acoustic and there's a definite Irish lilt to even the English lyrics--the smooth, deft touch that is a hallmark of Clannad's style is definitely there. An Díolaim showcases their folk roots, but such songs as "Siuil a Run," "Cumha Eoghain Rua Ui Neill," and "By Chance It Was" hint at the direction they would later take--The Chieftains this ain't. It is, however, a fine collection in its own right, showing very clearly the evolution of present-day Celtic-oriented music. --Genevieve Williams

Product Description
14 vintage tracks by the beloved Irish act delving intotheir folk roots. Nearly an hour long, it includes 'TwoSisters', 'Dulaman (Seaweed)', 'An Gabhar Ban', 'RincePhilib A'cheoil', 'Siuil A Run (Irish Love Song)' and'Eleanor Plunkett'. 1998 Music Club release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Oman (Seaweed)
Eleanor Plunkett
Two Sisters
Fairly Shot of Her
Si Rrish Love Song)
Ohainn Sh
Galtee Hunt
By Chance It Was
Rince Philib A'cheoil
Gaoth Barra Na d'Tonn
Cumha Eoghain Rua Ul (Lament for Owen Roe)
Gabhar B
Chuaigh MNa Rosann
Coinleach Ghlas an Fhir

Amazon.com

This collection takes the internationally known group back to their roots, drawing together the best of Clannad's early recordings. Though not as commercial or pop-oriented as their later work--the instrumentation is all acoustic and there's a definite Irish lilt to even the English lyrics--the smooth, deft touch that is a hallmark of Clannad's style is definitely there. An Díolaim showcases their folk roots, but such songs as "Siuil a Run," "Cumha Eoghain Rua Ui Neill," and "By Chance It Was" hint at the direction they would later take--The Chieftains this ain't. It is, however, a fine collection in its own right, showing very clearly the evolution of present-day Celtic-oriented music. --Genevieve Williams

Album Description

14 vintage tracks by the beloved Irish act delving intotheir folk roots. Nearly an hour long, it includes 'TwoSisters', 'Dulaman (Seaweed)', 'An Gabhar Ban', 'RincePhilib A'cheoil', 'Siuil A Run (Irish Love Song)' and'Eleanor Plunkett'. 1998 Music Club release.

Customer Reviews:

*****ELEANOR PLUNKETT*****.......2006-04-20

I don't know who she is...sounds like she could really be a wallflower, but if she is half as beautiful as her song, I'd probably fall in love (nice instrumental, with Maire playing harp along with guitar and flute - simple but sweet...the best kind?). And what about her perhaps even more striking sisters on here: FAIRLY (#4 - another sharp instrumental lullaby...recital on harp, flute & guitars in the front parlor...she can cook, a keeper!); SIUIL (#5 - a love song so pretty, highlighting Maire's gorgeous voice, the guitar is very lush...mix of Gaelic and English, though lyrics and translations would have been a help...she carries YOU away); and especially the transcendantly fine CHUAIGH (#13 - in Gaelic again, my favorite on here, I would love to know the storyline, but her beauty speaks for itself...language and instrumentation in heavenly unity...is that Enya providing the harmony? I'd like to make an offer!). Even CUMHA compares favorably (#11, a nice little instrumental that is more common sounding, but still a very lilting, pleasant charmer...she is still presentable at the ball, maybe someday she could be dressed up a little more to attract attention). I would be remiss for not honoring the last pretty thing, COMLEACH (#14, last but certainly not least in the melodic string of pretty ballads...this one jazzier with string bass, cool guitar AGAIN and Maire's sweet voice...WOW! Sophisticated & well-spoken). By Chance It Was deserves honorable mention in the ballad category, very spooky, melancholy and lush.

Okay, sorry for the awkward analysis but I do FEEL this music and its beauty like a, well you know... This family touches me musically, emotionally, spiritually and I admire their great talents. Friends who know my usual music listening (acid rock, psychedelic, fusion jazz, etc. - I've been a guitar player for almost 30 years) may be surprised that I have such a love for this fine old folk music. It isn't as much of a stretch as you would think, listen to #6, Oheanainn Sugradh, a taste of psychedelic Clannad (kickin' up the drums and Tullish guitar and flute leads, they can rock!). Or An Gaohar Ban (#12), another rollicking Celtic jam. My Scottish/Irish heritage wife and I rediscovered Clannad when our second darling son was born 10 years ago, so this reminds us of that (he listened to them nursing often so I'm SURE it anchors special feelings somewhere, the female/song analogy will seem very on target), and we listen to this as we go off to sleep all the time ...who knows how it has permeated our dreams). I need to mention that my wife really favors the funny/upbeat songs on here like Two Sisters, Dulaman, the Galtee Hunt and Rince...(#9). There is a nice balance of styles and moods for all personality types. The Maire vocal solo of the very traditional Gaoth...(#10) is the circle on the Celtic cross, the reminder that, at heart, Clannad is a very respectful purveyor of the essence of Irish culture and music (the unifying purpose). Thank you Brennan family for this transcendant musical collection and for sharing your love with all! And Maire, your heavenly singing has brought me calming peace so many times, I don't know how to express my thanks.

very original and hearty Clannad.......2004-02-04

the first time I listen to this CD is dl mp3 (the whole disc)
the Clannad then is completely different! sound is more like Folk than New Age
the whole disc sound is so beautiful, only Anam and Banba can compare
though the early-age recording, Maire sounds incredible, her sound is as good as Karen Carpenter (may be better)
then I decide to get the CD
after listening the whole CD, I admit
An Diolaim, Anam, and Banba are my favorite album of Clannad
no matter you're a die-hard Clannad fans or not, this one is A MUST collection

Essential Early Clannad.......2002-05-31

With 'An Diolaim' a compilation of the Clannad records of the mid-seventies: 'Clannad 2' and 'Dulaman', has been made available to the admirers of this group. Showcased here are their purest folk roots. I made the acquaintance of Clannad by means of their music for the 'Robin of Sherwood' television series, but I dearly love them in all of their musical incarnations.

This group originally comprised of Maire Brennan, her brothers Ciaran and Pol plus their uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan have won themselves a lasting place in Celtic Music. The 'An Diolaim' album provides the listener with performances of mainly traditional pieces sung for the most part in Gaelic. The interpretation by Clannad of these songs and instrumental pieces is intelligent, sparkling, wistful and simply beautiful. They're always able to hold my attention completely. Maire's breathtakingly beautful vocals take center stage, but I also really enjoyed the interplay between the various instruments. Some favourites are: 'Dulaman', 'Eleanor Plunkett' with exquisite harpplaying by Maire, the lilting 'Two Sisters', the haunting 'Siuil A Run', the wistful 'By chance it was' or the lovely 'Rince Philio a Cheoil'.

My only caveat with this disc is that no lyrics were included, but there's a handy mini essay by John Crosby on Clannad's history. Anyway the listener gets an excellent album of essential early Clannad music and songs.

Before Celtic was cool.......2002-03-06

These are songs from Clannad's earlier period, before they began to emulate ex-band member Enya's sound and cater to the rather bland tastes of the `world music' crowd. "An Diolaim" covers the band's recordings during an early period of their development (i.e. the early to mid 1970s), when they more consistently employed traditional sounds and instruments (although the influence of contemporary sounds can definitely be heard). There is a strong selection of songs with both Gaelic and English lyrics - and it is basically a collection of Celtic-inspired songs largely released before Celtic became trendy (at least outside of Clannad's native Ireland). Particularly strong tracks are the melancholy instrumental pieces "Eleanor Plunkett" and "Cumha Eoghain Rua Ui Neill" and the very folky "Two Sisters" and "The Gaelic Hunt." Also interesting is the not unpleasant blend of Celtic flutes, accoustic guitar and acidy electric-guitar riffs in "Dheanainn Sugradh." For the most part, this is a really great collection of contemporary Celtic.

The Pre-Best of...........2001-09-21

This is a great CD in case if you still haven't managed to get the earliest albums by Clannad like Clannad 2 or Fuaim. Whenever you get the feeling that Clannad got too deep into pop, mainstream and commercialism, An Diolaim is surely the best way to flee to those olden times both of Irish music and Clannad. There is also the old recording of An Choinleach Glas an Fhomhair, later re-recorded and re-issued on Magical Rings. Quite haunting are harp-instrumentals like Fair Shot of Her and Eleanor Plunkett, but most of all I'd emphasize really beautiful Chuaigh me na Rossan, where the group, pace by pace - which is evident in adding the electric organ - treads toward what was later on to be one of the most interesting, most haunting and most inovative sounds in the history of contemporary music. Still, while listening to this CD, it is hard not to think: My... Who could have said...