The Best of Altan

Gives a good collection of the group which I enjoy.

Fáilte!If your genre of entertainment is Irish traditional music, this is a must have two disc set of Altan back in the day of the original group. Most importantly is Frankie Kennedy's presence on excellent flute. This could be considered his tribute CD set, as tragically his young life was cut short soon afterward by cancer.Ciaran Tourish and Paul O'Shaughnessy alternately play lead and twin lead fiddles at times teaming up with Mairead Ni Mhaoinaigh, Frankie's wife. The precision of the two fiddle lead is amazing and at times the pace is very lively. The Glory Reel is one of my most favorite reels and is excellent for Irish group dancing if you can keep pace. Ciaran Curran is one of my favorite, pioneer bouzouki (large deep voiced mandolin) players. He is joined alternately by Tom Kelly and Daithi Sproule on guitar. Maired's vocals in perfect Irish Gaelic are nothing short of amazingly gorgeous. Jim Higgins is on several tracks providing lively Irish drum (bodhran).Many "Best Of" albums use a format of a bakers dozen, or different flavors to suit everyone. Some of their more experimental pieces (one track with Australian didjeridoo) will appeal to those wanting a more modern approach. Other tracks, especially with Paul O'Shaughnessy, are more traditional. I would recommend this as a starter album with Altan, and encourage people to not ignore their other fine albums. If you like the more traditional music, Paul has other excellent reel, jig, hornpipe and polka tracks not included in this set in their first few CDs. Ciaran Curran in those albums uses a traditional style of counterpoint playing on bouzouki more.They are still together and performing. There is an excellent track on "Water from the Well" Chieftains' DVD of both bands together playing the Donegal Reel medley. Their latest album is "On Local Ground" and they still sound like they are in their prime.Slán agaibh!

Altan has been around a long time, and stick with their roots mostly (which I like). Great traditional Irish instrumental and vocal music here! A good introduction for anyone liking Irish folk music and wanting to get into it more. Also see similar albums from the Chieftains, Planxty, The Bothy Band, and DeDannan.

well arranged songsglad i got

Altan is one of our favorite Irish groups!

Irish folk at it's finest.

If you like Irish music, you will love this CD. One of the best I've heard!

It comes with two disks and I love the simple melodies of Celtic music. It definitely has the flavour of Ireland.

Certains très beau morceaux, mais il faut être fan 100% du genre celtique. Pour ma part ce fut une écoute agréable, mais je ne suis pas "rentré" dans leur monde. Question de goût.

Great live al album of early Altan work when Frankie was still alive. One for the true fan: wouldn't suggest if you are new to this band

Have not heard it myself but my mother wanted this after going to see them. She loves it! :)

Owned it before,great album from one of my favourite groups(if you ever get to see them live your in for a treat),check out the bonus live CD too it's excellent.

Virtuose Instrumentalmusik und einfühlsame Gesänge im Wechsel sind in schönen eingängigen Melodien eingebettet. Das wiederholte Hören dieser Musik wird mir nicht langweilig.