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One is left in little doubt at the outset that Blackwater marks a significant change in the career of Altan, the best-selling act in the history of U.S. Celtic independent label Green Linnet. Even before you notice that the album is not on Green Linnet and that the group has moved up to major label Virgin, and even before you consult the personnel list and the liner notes to find, if you didn't already know, that group co-founder Frankie Kennedy has died of cancer since the last album, you look at the album cover, a portrait of lead singer/fiddler Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill with the rest of the group miniaturized and pushed into a corner, and you can see that things have changed. This is not to say that Blackwater is simply a Ní Dhomhnaill solo album in the guise of an Altan album, though certainly one misses Kennedy's flute work and her vocals are quite prominent. In fact, the album is another well-chosen and well-played collection of largely traditional songs, jigs, and reels, and it should continue to please the group's fans. One can only assume that Virgin thought it was buying a world music crossover act like Clannad, though Altan has none of Clannad's pop or new age tendencies. More than likely, they'll be back on an indie soon enough, and one hopes no worse for wear.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
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Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Higgins, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Higgins, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Lunny, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Triona Ní Dhomhnaill, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Higgins, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Brendan Power, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Conan Doyle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Lunny, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Higgins, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Brendan Power, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Anna Ní Mhaonaigh, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Higgins, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Traditional, Composer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Byrne, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Higgins, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Brendan Power, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Curran, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ni Mhaonaigh, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tourish, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Oliver Lennon, Composer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Fiachra Trench, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, Composer - David James, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Vocals, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Maire Breatnach, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Kane, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Annette Cleary, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Kelly, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dermot Byrne, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cooney, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Masterson, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Composer, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Donal Lunny, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Tourish, Whistle, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Ciaran Curran, Musician, AssociatedPerformer - Altan, Producer, MainArtist - Daithi Sproule, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
One is left in little doubt at the outset that Blackwater marks a significant change in the career of Altan, the best-selling act in the history of U.S. Celtic independent label Green Linnet. Even before you notice that the album is not on Green Linnet and that the group has moved up to major label Virgin, and even before you consult the personnel list and the liner notes to find, if you didn't already know, that group co-founder Frankie Kennedy has died of cancer since the last album, you look at the album cover, a portrait of lead singer/fiddler Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill with the rest of the group miniaturized and pushed into a corner, and you can see that things have changed. This is not to say that Blackwater is simply a Ní Dhomhnaill solo album in the guise of an Altan album, though certainly one misses Kennedy's flute work and her vocals are quite prominent. In fact, the album is another well-chosen and well-played collection of largely traditional songs, jigs, and reels, and it should continue to please the group's fans. One can only assume that Virgin thought it was buying a world music crossover act like Clannad, though Altan has none of Clannad's pop or new age tendencies. More than likely, they'll be back on an indie soon enough, and one hopes no worse for wear.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:42
- Main artists: Altan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Records
- Genre: World
© 1996 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1996 Virgin Records Limited
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