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Jump to Musical style and legacy - They adopted a musical direction of Celtic and pop music in the 1980s and 1990s, as evident on Macalla (1985),.
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Formed back in the 70s, the Irish band of Clannad have produced some master pieces over the years, despite their lengthy gap of records between 1997 and 2013. Beginning their career as winners of a Donegal music competition, the band were signed at a relatively young age, with members still in school and college.It’s not very often that a band are capable of giving me goose bumps and maintaining that sensation, but goodness me, their live show got me time and time again. Their beautiful folk voices intertwining with each others harmonies, and their delicate guitar playing was simply mesmerising. The overwhelming talent seemed to capture the whole room, and everyone was immersed in the sheer talent and quality of the performance. Marie’s voice is as strong as ever, and the entire band were on top form from beginning to end.Hearing songs in Gaelic, you would assume that it would be distancing and stop the audience from understanding the message of the song, but instead it forced us to learn the narrative through the melody, which was really special. Their classics and their recent work compliment each other wonderfully, and their progression has been of positive growth throughout their career.
Clannad have this huge auditorium filled with an audience packed in like sardines. The atmosphere is just electric with the anticipation of this band, the support acts set the scene, and fill the room with just the right vibe to pave the way for Clannad to take to the stage. This band employ a sort of Celtic sound complete with accordions, harps, pennywhistles, fiddles and mandolins to create a huge sound. Their sound is large and the audience are receptive in the best way, hanging on every hook. There’s a special moment when they play “Robin of Sherwood Medley”, and the haunting vocals of Moya Brennan fill the room.
It’s fantastic when they start to perform works from their Grammy Award winning album from 1999, called “Landmarks”, the audience applaud all the way through. “In A Lifetime” is the closing song of the set, which is accompanied by the vocals of Brian Kennedy, their voices interlace fantastically with these counter melodies.
Before Björk invented her robotic Gravity Harp, or Lizzo learned to play the flute and twerk at the same time, and long before The Corrs took the global stage with a violinist front and centre, there was one distinctive musical movement that encompassed and started it all.
Celtic music may be one of the first genres to kick off entire subsets of movements and devout followings (it did emerge from six Celtic nations in 18th century Western Europe after all), but it’s also maintained its zealous following.
One prime, modern example of the sheer impact Celtic music still has on the world is Clannad. Having formed in 1970, Clannad took the title early on as the first group to bridge the gap between Celtic music, its Irish folk cousin genre and mainstream pop. The group consisted of Ciarán, Pól and Moya Brennan, their twin uncles Noel and Duggan and their younger sister Enya (yes, that Enya), before Pádraig sadly passed away in 2016 following a recurring illness.
The family clan kicked off the now legendary Clannad tale by performing at their family-owned pub Leo’s Tavern in north west Ireland. The group, appositely taking their name from the Irish word for ‘family’ won the major prize at the Letterkenny Folk Festival in 1973, landing a record deal with Philips. The winning song ‘Liza’ was written on the rooftop of Leo’s Tavern and re-recorded years later for Pádraig and Noel’s collaborative album, Rubicon.
Clannad’s music is ethereal, meditative, and weaved with Irish history and its vast landscape. It was a far cry from what was topping mainstream UK charts at the time; thanks to the building hype of good looks and pop hooks led by Bay City Rollers, Rod Stewart, The Bee Gees and the like.
Despite Clannad’s stark difference in arrangements, it was their unique harmonies and nostalgic tip of the hat to forgotten folk songs which saw them achieve mainstream success in the 80s. Their initial success came from them writing the themes to TV shows Harry’s Game and Robin of Sherwood. ‘Harry’s Game’ charted at #5 in the UK in 1982 and picked up an Ivor Novello songwriting award. Meanwhile Clannad’s soundtrack for Robin Of Sherwood won a Bafta.
That same year, just over 10 years since they took out the grand prize at their local folk festival, Clannad made history as the first band to sing in Irish on UK music TV show Top of the Pops.
Clannad perform on Top of the Pops (1982)
The following year in 1983 ‘Harry’s Game’ was played as the entry music on U2’s War Tour, and with 110 shows on that tour over more than a year, it helped to push the group’s seventh album The Magical Ring, into the UK top 40.
A highlight reel for Clannad’s career so far would fill a movie theatre. From Bono featuring on the group’s hit single ‘In a Lifetime’, to Volkswagen picking up ‘Harry’s Game’ for a TV commercial in the 90s, to winning a Grammy award in 97 for their 15th album Landmarks, selling 15 million records worldwide with eight Top 10 UK albums, or even taking out lifetime achievement prize at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards in 2014, Clannad’s history is a decorated one.
Clannad & Bono – ‘In A Lifetime’ (1985)
Thankfully, that history is still being made. When Clannad announced new anthology In A Lifetimethrough one of the world’s biggest music companies BMG, multiple generations of music fans rejoiced. Clannad is a group which has kept one of the oldest music movements of all time alive, all while staying true to its form and picking up the uninitiated along the way.
Featuring hits like ‘Skellig’ and ‘Now Is Here’ as well as new songs ‘A Celtic Dream’ and ‘Who Knows (Where The Time Goes)’, the collection is nothing if not comprehensive. It takes us through Clannad’s two self-titled releases in 73 and 74; it covers 85’s Macalla, which featured the hit Bono collaboration and this anthology’s namesake; and it takes us all the way to the group’s last studio album in 2013, Nádúr, which features this writer’s personal favourite in the warm, superb composition of ‘Vellum’.
The In A Lifetime anthology is available across various physical formats including a 2LP coloured vinyl and a super deluxe edition box set that features four CDs, three vinyl LPs, a seven-inch record, a book, postcards and poster.
Check out the multiple box sets below, stream it on Apple Music or Spotify, and head to superdeluxeeditio.com to purchase.
In A LifetimeTracklistings
In A Lifetime – 4CD+3LP+7″ + Book + postcards + postcard super deluxe
CD 1
1. Thíos Cois Na Trá Domh
2. Siúbhán Ní Dhuibhir
3. An Mhaighdean Mara
4. An tOileán Úr
5. Níl Sé Ina Lá
6. Eleanor Plunkett
7. Coinleach Ghlas An Fhómhair
8. Gaoth Barra Na dTonn
9. Teidhir Abhaile Riú
10. Dúlamán
11. Two Sisters
12. Éirigh Suas, a Stóirín
13. Siúil, a Rúin
14. dTigeas a Damhsa
15. Crúiscín Lán
16. Ar a Ghabháil ‘n a ‘Chuain Damh
1. Thíos Cois Na Trá Domh
2. Siúbhán Ní Dhuibhir
3. An Mhaighdean Mara
4. An tOileán Úr
5. Níl Sé Ina Lá
6. Eleanor Plunkett
7. Coinleach Ghlas An Fhómhair
8. Gaoth Barra Na dTonn
9. Teidhir Abhaile Riú
10. Dúlamán
11. Two Sisters
12. Éirigh Suas, a Stóirín
13. Siúil, a Rúin
14. dTigeas a Damhsa
15. Crúiscín Lán
16. Ar a Ghabháil ‘n a ‘Chuain Damh
CD 2
1. The Last Rose of Summer
2. Lá Coimhthíoch Fán dTuath (A Strange Day in the Countryside)
3. Crann Úll
4. Na Buachaillí Álainn
5. Mheall sí lena glórthai mé
6. Ni lá na gaoithe lá na scoilb?
7. Mhórag’s na horo Gheallaidh
8. Theme from Harry’s Game
9. I See Red
10. Newgrange
11. Tower Hill
12. Thíos Fá’n Chósta
13. Robin (The Hooded Man)
14. Herne
15. Together We
16. Lady Marian
17. Strange Land
18. Caislean Oir
19. Closer to Your Heart
20. In a Lifetime (with Bono)
1. The Last Rose of Summer
2. Lá Coimhthíoch Fán dTuath (A Strange Day in the Countryside)
3. Crann Úll
4. Na Buachaillí Álainn
5. Mheall sí lena glórthai mé
6. Ni lá na gaoithe lá na scoilb?
7. Mhórag’s na horo Gheallaidh
8. Theme from Harry’s Game
9. I See Red
10. Newgrange
11. Tower Hill
12. Thíos Fá’n Chósta
13. Robin (The Hooded Man)
14. Herne
15. Together We
16. Lady Marian
17. Strange Land
18. Caislean Oir
19. Closer to Your Heart
20. In a Lifetime (with Bono)
CD 3
1. Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)
2. Journey’s End
3. Second Nature
4. White Fool
5. Something to Believe In
6. Many Roads
7. Atlantic Realm
8. Ocean of Light
9. Voyager
10. A Dream in the Night (The Angel & the Soldier Boy)
11. Hourglass
12. Rí Na Cruinne
13. In Fortune’s Hand
14. Poison Glen
15. Why Worry?
16. Na Laethe Bhí
17. Mystery Game
1. Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)
2. Journey’s End
3. Second Nature
4. White Fool
5. Something to Believe In
6. Many Roads
7. Atlantic Realm
8. Ocean of Light
9. Voyager
10. A Dream in the Night (The Angel & the Soldier Boy)
11. Hourglass
12. Rí Na Cruinne
13. In Fortune’s Hand
14. Poison Glen
15. Why Worry?
16. Na Laethe Bhí
17. Mystery Game
CD 4
1. I Will Find You
2. Sunset Dreams
3. Crói Cróga
4. Seanchas
5. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over)
6. Farewell Love
7. An Gleann
8. Fadó
9. A Mhuirnin Ó
10. The Bridge of Tears
11. Down By the Sally Gardens
12. Vellum
13. Rhapsody na gCrann
14. Brave Enough
15. A Song in Your Heart
16. A Celtic Dream
17. Who Knows (where the time goes)
1. I Will Find You
2. Sunset Dreams
3. Crói Cróga
4. Seanchas
5. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over)
6. Farewell Love
7. An Gleann
8. Fadó
9. A Mhuirnin Ó
10. The Bridge of Tears
11. Down By the Sally Gardens
12. Vellum
13. Rhapsody na gCrann
14. Brave Enough
15. A Song in Your Heart
16. A Celtic Dream
17. Who Knows (where the time goes)
2LP
Side A
1. An Mhaighdean Mhara
2. Eleanor Plunkett
3. Dúlamán
4. The Last Rose of Summer
5. Crann Úll
Side A
1. An Mhaighdean Mhara
2. Eleanor Plunkett
3. Dúlamán
4. The Last Rose of Summer
5. Crann Úll
Side B
1. Mheall sí lena glórthai mé
2. Theme from Harry’s Game
3. Robin (The Hooded Man)
4. In a Lifetime
5. Second Nature
6. Atlantic Realm
1. Mheall sí lena glórthai mé
2. Theme from Harry’s Game
3. Robin (The Hooded Man)
4. In a Lifetime
5. Second Nature
6. Atlantic Realm
Side C
1. A Dream in the Night (The Angel & the Soldier Boy)
2. Hourglass
3. Poison Glen
4. I Will Find You
1. A Dream in the Night (The Angel & the Soldier Boy)
2. Hourglass
3. Poison Glen
4. I Will Find You
Side D
1. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over)
2. A Mhuirnin Ó
3. Rhapsody na gCrann
4. A Celtic Dream
5. Who Knows (where the time goes)
1. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over)
2. A Mhuirnin Ó
3. Rhapsody na gCrann
4. A Celtic Dream
5. Who Knows (where the time goes)
Macalla LP
Side A
1. Caislean Oir
2. The Wild Cry
3. Closer to Your Heart
4. In a Lifetime
5. Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)
1. Caislean Oir
2. The Wild Cry
3. Closer to Your Heart
4. In a Lifetime
5. Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)
Side B
1. Indoor
2. Buachaill Ón Éirne
3. Blackstairs
4. Journey’s End
5. Northern Skyline
1. Indoor
2. Buachaill Ón Éirne
3. Blackstairs
4. Journey’s End
5. Northern Skyline
7’’ Single
Side A
Dhéanainn Súgradh
Side A
Dhéanainn Súgradh
Side B
Eleanor Plunkett
Eleanor Plunkett
In A Lifetime – 2CD set
CD1
1. Thíos Cois Na Trá Domh
2. An Mhaighdean Mhara
3. Eleanor Plunkett
4. Coinleach Ghlas An Fhómhair
5. Dúlamán
6. Two Sisters
7. dTigeas a Damhsa
8. The Last Rose Of Summer
9. Ar a Ghabháil ‘n a ‘Chuain Damh
10. Crann Úl
11. Mheall Sí Lena Glórthaí Mé
12. Mhórag‘s Na Horo Gheallaidh
13. Theme From Harry’s Game
14. Newgrange
15. Robin (The Hooded Man)
16. Strange Land
17. Closer To Your Heart
18. In A Lifetime (with Bono)
19. Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)
20. White Fool
21. Something To Believe In
1. Thíos Cois Na Trá Domh
2. An Mhaighdean Mhara
3. Eleanor Plunkett
4. Coinleach Ghlas An Fhómhair
5. Dúlamán
6. Two Sisters
7. dTigeas a Damhsa
8. The Last Rose Of Summer
9. Ar a Ghabháil ‘n a ‘Chuain Damh
10. Crann Úl
11. Mheall Sí Lena Glórthaí Mé
12. Mhórag‘s Na Horo Gheallaidh
13. Theme From Harry’s Game
14. Newgrange
15. Robin (The Hooded Man)
16. Strange Land
17. Closer To Your Heart
18. In A Lifetime (with Bono)
19. Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)
20. White Fool
21. Something To Believe In
CD 2
1. Atlantic Realm
2. Voyager
3. A Dream In The Night (The Angel & The Soldier Boy)
4. Hourglass
5. Rí Na Cruinne
6. Poison Glen
7. Na Laethe Bhí
8. I Will Find You (Theme From “The Last Of The Mohicans”)
9. Croí Cróga
10. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over)
11. A Mhuirnín Ó
12. The Bridge Of Tears
13. Vellum
14. Brave Enough
15. A Celtic Dream
16. Who Knows (where the time goes)
1. Atlantic Realm
2. Voyager
3. A Dream In The Night (The Angel & The Soldier Boy)
4. Hourglass
5. Rí Na Cruinne
6. Poison Glen
7. Na Laethe Bhí
8. I Will Find You (Theme From “The Last Of The Mohicans”)
9. Croí Cróga
10. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over)
11. A Mhuirnín Ó
12. The Bridge Of Tears
13. Vellum
14. Brave Enough
15. A Celtic Dream
16. Who Knows (where the time goes)
In A Lifetime 2LP coloured vinyl
Side 1
1. An Mhaighdean Mhara
2. Eleanor Plunkett
3. Dulaman
4. The Last Rose of Summer
5. Crann Úll
1. An Mhaighdean Mhara
2. Eleanor Plunkett
3. Dulaman
4. The Last Rose of Summer
5. Crann Úll
![Music Music](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125656534/507509908.jpg)
Side 2
1. Mheall si lena glorthai me
2. Theme from Harry’s Game (2003 – Remaster)
3. Robin (The Hooded Man) [2003 – Remaster]
4. In A Lifetime (2003 – Remaster) – Clannad & Bono
5. Second Nature (2003 Remastered Version)
6. Atlantic Realm
1. Mheall si lena glorthai me
2. Theme from Harry’s Game (2003 – Remaster)
3. Robin (The Hooded Man) [2003 – Remaster]
4. In A Lifetime (2003 – Remaster) – Clannad & Bono
5. Second Nature (2003 Remastered Version)
6. Atlantic Realm
Side 3
1. A Dream in the Night (The Angel & the Soldier Boy)
2. Hourglass
3. Poison Glen (2003 – Remaster)
4. I Will Find You (Theme from “The Last of the Mohicans”)
1. A Dream in the Night (The Angel & the Soldier Boy)
2. Hourglass
3. Poison Glen (2003 – Remaster)
4. I Will Find You (Theme from “The Last of the Mohicans”)
Side 4
1. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over) [2004 – Remaster]
2. A Mhuirnin Ó (2004 – Remaster)
3. Rhapsody na gCrann
4. A Celtic Dream
5. Who Knows (Where The Time Goes)
1. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over) [2004 – Remaster]
2. A Mhuirnin Ó (2004 – Remaster)
3. Rhapsody na gCrann
4. A Celtic Dream
5. Who Knows (Where The Time Goes)
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