A Lark Ascending Posted August 20, 2004 Report Posted August 20, 2004 Only of interest to those of a folky...and specifically an Irish folky persuasion...but... Planxty...arguably the band that made Irish folk music cool in the early 70s...have started playing gigs again in Ireland this year. A DVD and CD are now out. I rarely buy DVDs but couldn't resist this one - a wonderful gig from earlier in the year in Dublin. Nothing new - old favourites but played with same passion and fire. Having fallen for Irish music through this band in the mid-70s I watched this with lump in throat and watery eyes! To my mind Planxty were the Beatles of Irish folk - two great but very different vocalists in Christy Moore and Andy Irvine. An absolute giant on uilleann pipes in Liam O'Flynn. And the wonderful propulsion of Donal Lunny on bouzouki and other strings. A world away from jazz but equally as compelling. If you ever loved this band track one of these down. If you've never heard them but fancy something different give it a go... One of the giants of my peculiar musical universe. And they're playing the UK in January! This time I can't miss them! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted August 21, 2004 Author Report Posted August 21, 2004 Come on! Everyone in America claims to be Irish! Surely you're all watering at the mouth for this! Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted August 21, 2004 Report Posted August 21, 2004 Everyone in America claims to be Irish! Not me. I'm Swedish, German, Polish, and English thank you very much! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted August 21, 2004 Author Report Posted August 21, 2004 There always has to be one... Quote
bertrand Posted August 22, 2004 Report Posted August 22, 2004 (edited) I never heard them, but I used to listen to Horslips a lot - in fact, I have most of their records (how did that happen?). I actually liked the ones that veered away from the Irish stuff the best, after they broke in the U.S. (and were marketed as a Jethro Tull-like band because of the flute!). Alien was probably the best - I associate it with very painful memories of my past. I have not a drop of Irish blood in me. However, since my mother is from Brittany, I do have that Celtic thing going. Bertrand. Edited August 22, 2004 by bertrand Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted August 22, 2004 Author Report Posted August 22, 2004 Hmm! The word 'Celtic' in the world of folk music brings on the same apoplexy from folk enthusiasts that 'Smooth Jazz' does in jazz circles. A catch-all marketing term these days. I never explored Horslips - they were always much rockier, though I'm intrigued by the idea of 'The Tain'. Planxty had their roots in the Irish tradition but had a Woody Guthrie/Dylan obsession too that made them sound relevant to the youth of the 70s (like me!). They helped provide a gateway back into Irish music for a generation and were soon followed by a wave of great contemporary bands like The Bothy Band, De Danann and others, drawn from the vibrant live tradition in Ireland. I suppose they'd equate to a group like The Dillards. Quote
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