Information about Clannad

Clannad are a Grammy Award-winning Irish musical group, from Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk and folk rock, Irish, and New Age. They are known for performing in various languages, including English, Latin, Gàidhlig, Mohican and most of all in their native tongue, Irish.

Clannad are Moya Brennan (born Máire Ní Bhraonáin), Ciarán Brennan (born Ciarán Ó Braonáin), Pól Brennan (born Pól Ó Braonáin), Noel Duggan (born Noel Ó Dúgáin) and Pádraig Duggan (born Pádraig Ó Dúgáin).

Clannad first made their mark in the folk and traditional scene in the 1970s in Ireland and Europe, they subsequently went on to bridge the gap between traditional celtic music and pop music in the 1980s and 1990s with albums such as Macalla and Anam. ^[1]During their successful career they toured the world extensively and gained fans in every major territory. Lead singer Moya Brennan and her sister Enya have also enjoyed huge success as solo artists. The band won a Grammy Award in 1997 for Best New Age Album, and their record sales exceed the 15 million mark. They are also regarded as the band which, for the first time, put Irish traditional music and the Irish language on the world stage and paved the way for many other Irish artists.

After ten years disbanded, the five original members of Clannad reunited onstage at the Celtic Connections Festival in February 2007 in Glasgow. They expressed their wishes to release a new studio album, but no official announcements have been made as of yet.^[2]

Musical upbringing

Siblings Ciarán, Pól and Máire Uí Bhraonáin (Brennan) and their two uncles Noel and Pádraig Ó Dúgáin (Duggan) grew up in Gweedore, a remote part of Ireland's countryside. They were surrounded with music. The Brennans' mother, Baba, was a music teacher and their father, Leo, was a former member of a cabaret band. Leo was travelling extensively in the early family years. Later, they bought a pub, with a stage Leo's Tavern (Tábhairne Leo). The children would occasionally do cover versions of Beatles, Beach Boys and Joni Mitchell songs at home and in their family pub.

The name Clannad comes from An Clann As Dobhar, meaning 'the family from Dore'. The children were performing late at night in the pub (the story was recounted by Máire, TG4, 17 March 2007, Clann as Dobhar & Clannad Beo), when the local police sergeant walked in. They feared a summons, but instead the policemen had a form to enter a local music competition. They didn't have a name at the time, but had to find one for the competition. Someone suggested Clann As Dobhar, which was provisionally abbreviated to Clannad.

The young Brennans' and Duggans' passion for the traditional music of Ireland soon expanded even beyond their native Gweedore. They would later visit such outlying communities as Tory Island off Donegal's coast. Armed with some 500 Gaelic songs, they would later begin to arrange these songs for a full band, something which had previously never been done.

Traditional years

The first of a series of turning points for Clannad came when they entered into a local Folk Festival in Letterkenny, County Donegal, and won first prize, a record contract with the Irish arm of Phillips. They were still in college and school but they did not make the record until 1973, because the record company did not like the idea of them doing half the album in Irish, as it was not heard of to sing Irish in mainstream music.

Clannad

The first album was recorded in 1973, simply called Clannad and showed a band aware of contemporary Irish music of the day. There were hints of modern influences, most notable Pentangle's, in songs such as "The Pretty Maid" and "Morning Dew". But it was the Irish songs, particular an early arrangement of "Níl Sé'n Lá", a drinking song they found on one of their Tory Island expeditions, that really showed the band's ability to form contemporary, jazz influenced versions of traditional material. This album was also released under the name The Pretty Maid.

Clannad 2

The second album followed in 1975 on Gael-Linn records and was titled Clannad 2. Produced by Planxty and Bothy Band founder Dónal Lunny, it showed a tremendously more mature band that was quite committed to singing mainly in Irish. Their arrangements were still experimental for the times, but their increasing skill in the use of traditional acoustic instruments kept the music well within the boundaries of folk music.

Clannad 2 featured some ground-breaking traditional music, including Máire's harp playing on the O'Carolan song "Eleanor Plunkett" and ensemble work on songs like "Rince Briotánach" and "Teidhir Abhaile Riú", an Irish matchmaking song.

Dúlamán

The following year they produced Dúlamán, which probably was the high point of their albums of solely traditional material. The title track was a song about two dúlamán, or seaweed merchants, one of whom is trying to win the hand of the other's beautiful daughter. It's been a favourite of Clannad's live shows for a very long time and is still performed in a rock version which captures the flavour of the original recorded acoustic version. The band in 1976 still consisted of Máire on lead vocals and harp, Ciarán on double bass, electric piano and vocals, Pól on flutes, guitars and bongos, Noel on guitar, vocals and Pádraig on mandolin, guitar and vocals. They still kept the Gaelic spelling of their surnames of Ó Braonáin for the brothers, Ní Bhraonáin for Máire and Ó Dúgáin for Pádraig and Noel. During their first tour of Europe in 1976 a standing ovation after an eight-minute version of "Níl Sé'n Lá" convinced them to become full time professionals.

Crann Úll

The band's next album was Crann Úll (Irish for apple tree) released in 1978 on Tara Records. It featured a stronger emphasis on Máire's harp-playing. "Ar a Ghabháil 'n a Chuain Domh" featured a particularly full band arrangement reflective of their live jams at the time. "Lá Cuimhthíoch Fán dTuath" ("A Strange Day in the Countryside") showed the first hints of the more atmospheric side of the band's arrangements. On "Gathering Mushrooms" they included their sister Eithne Ní Bhraonáin on supporting vocals.

Clannad in Concert

Clannad in Concert was released in 1979, featuring excerpts from their 1978 Swiss tour and a, now world-famous, version of "Down By The Sally Gardens" and a 10-minute version of "Níl Sé'n Lá". It served as a base for various solos by the individual members.

Fuaim

In 1981 with the album Fuaim (pronounced foom, meaning sound), recorded in Dublin's famed Windmill Studios, Clannad began to experiment with a more lush and electric sound. Enya became, for a short time, a full member of the band, adding keyboards and harmony vocals as well as lead vocals on two songs, "An tÚll" and "Buaireadh an Phósta". This album marked Clannad's first experiments with synthesizer. It also had guest Neil Buckley on clarinet and saxophones plus a percussionist and electric piano.

The following year Enya left to pursue her solo career and the band was about to record the album which would forever change their career as well as their sound, Magical Ring which appeared in 1982.

Chart success

Magical Ring

Clannad were signed up to RCA Records when they were approached and asked if they would be interested in doing a song for a fictional drama on British television, depicting the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Ciarán, Pól and Máire got together and wrote the now-legendary song "Theme From Harry's Game". Entering the British charts at number 5, it remains the only hit single in the UK ever to be sung entirely in Gaelic. The album Magical Ring was a huge turning point in Clannad's career, it was the start of their international career. It contained half traditional material and half original recordings.

The album features some of Clannad's best and most enduring original compositions like "Tower Hill", "Passing Time", "Newgrange" and "I See Red". This album led to their next commission, the soundtrack for the 26-episode TV drama "Robin of Sherwood". The resulting album was Legend (1984).

Legend

Shortly after Magical Ring, Clannad were asked to provide music for the television series Robin Of Sherwood. They once again began to stretch themselves, creating music for a range of characters and events. For the first time ever, they produced an album without any of their native Irish, as the story was set deep in English folklore. The album Legend (1984) won the band a BAFTA award, the first time an Irish act had been honoured thus.

Macalla

Macalla (echo in Irish) was released in 1986, Clannad's next proper album, and proved to be their most critically acclaimed album ever. It contained all original material except one traditional song and yielded the group a hit single "In A Lifetime", a duet with U2's Bono. The album featured the core quintet plus a large number of backing musicians who have continued to tour with them, including ex-King Crimson sax man Mel Collins, Moving Hearts' guitarist Anton Drennan and drummer Paul Moran. The album opens with the song "Caisleán Óir", its haunting Irish lyrics and earthy mood has helped define Clannad's sound as overwhelmingly ethereal. Other songs such as the pop-flavoured "Closer To Your Heart" and the powerful ballad "Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)" were very successful singles for the group.

Sirius

The following album, Sirius, was released by RCA in 1988 and was recorded in Los Angeles with rock producers Greg Ladanyi and Russ Kunkel (James Taylor's drummer). Therefore it became clear that it was going to be Clannad's most adventurous project yet. The album included a duet with Bruce Hornsby and guest appearances by Steve Perry and J.D. Souther. The title track was Pól Brennan's encouraging call to the environmental movement, and to the Greenpeace ship of the same name. One of the more successful songs from the album was "Something To Believe In", another meditation on life's dark moments. This track featured the voice and keyboards of Bruce Hornsby, totally sympathetic to the tone of the song. The resulting sound was typical of what American producers do with ethnic roots music. The album received harsh criticism from critics, claiming the album was 'bland' and 'over produced'. Despite this, it churned out a few hit songs, including "Skellig" and "The Turning Tide".

Atlantic Realm and The Angel and the Soldier

Between 1988 and 1991 there were some side projects for the band, including Atlantic Realm (1989) and The Angel and the Soldier (1990). Atlantic Realm was a small album made for a BBC documentary about the Atlantic Ocean. The recording was mainly instrumental as their voices as instruments. The Angel and the Soldier was a half hour animation, without voice overs and the music told the story. Both albums proved to be a minor success, and also demonstrated once again that Clannad were one of the most acclaimed soundtrack artists in the music industry.

Past Present and The Collection

Two greatest hits albums were released at around this time:

• Past Present [RCA], which to date is the only "greatest hits" compilation so far by the band to include any original tracks: "The Hunter" and "World of Difference". Both are among their best recordings while strangely only appearing on this rare album. This album also included tracks from Magical Ring, Macalla, and Sirius.
• The Collection [k-Tel], re-released in 1996 under the label's Celtic Collections series. Unlike Past Present however, it also included five earlier tracks from their more traditional Irish period.

A further change occurred when member Pól Brennan left the group to pursue a solo career and work with the WOMAD (World of Music and Dance) organization in Britain. He released a trio album in 1993 with Guo Yue and Joji Hirota under the new name Trísan.

Anam

The band continued on as a quartet and recorded their most successful album in some time, 1991's Anam. It marked a return to the Clannad sound of such albums as Magical Ring and Fuaim and was recorded in just two and a half months at the band's home studio in the hills of Dublin.

The title Anam means "Soul" in Irish and the album's 10 songs showed the usual blending of their traditional roots, their rockier later-period and their ethereal sound. The album was finally released in the USA in 1992 with a different cover and the addition of the previously released Bono duet "In A Lifetime" and "Theme From Harry's Game", which had been included in the motion picture Patriot Games. As a result, it got used on the Volkswagen advertisement, which helped establish the band's career in the USA. They dedicated the opening song "Rí na Cruinne" to the One World One Voice charity project.

In 1991, a duet between the band and Paul Young, "Both Sides Now" was released. The track had been put together for the Blake Edwards film Switch, featuring Ellen Barkin. In the storyline, a nasty male chauvinist, is re-incarnated as an attractive female. The use of the Joni Mitchell song was therefore quite suitable and proved a massive hit for the group.

Banba

Released in 1994, Banba became Clannad's 13th studio album and was received with great praise from critics worldwide. The track "I Will Find You" was especially written for the film The Last of the Mohicans, Máire sings in Mohican and Cherokee. Once again all the songs were written and produced by Ciarán Brennan, except "Sunset Dreams", written by Noel Duggan. Moya Brennan described the album as "a fusion of various styles of music, growing out of a traditional Gaelic root". "Banba" has been described as one of Clannad's most visual albums, and has sold over 1 million copies to date.

Lore

The mega-selling album Lore (1996) gave some thought to the Native American Indians. On "Trail of Tears", Noel Duggan imagines how it felt to be exiled from one's ancestral land, he was also thinking about these people and their connection with the Irish. Lore features American drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and Mel Collins. It contained a strong jazz element, with songs such as "Seanchas" displaying their unique talent at blending various contemporary sounds with traditional Irish music and the Irish language, something that had never been done before.

In 1996, they received a lifetime achievement award from the Irish recording industry (the IRMA).

Landmarks

After 25 years of recording ground-breaking music, Clannad returned in 1997 with another all round successful album, Landmarks. The record, was sited in the heartland of Donegal, shaped by the mountains, the glens and the sea-lashed shores of Gweedore. In the song "Of This Land", Máire sings about Ireland, of its past and of its future. The track "Fadó" (translates as Long Ago), demonstrates the influences of old Celtic history on Clannad's music. It became one of the most celebrated Irish albums in history and in 1999, it won a Grammy award for Best New Age Album, Clannad's third Grammy nomination.

2000–present

After Landmarks, Clannad ceased to make any more studio albums, but have promised to return in the near future. In 2003, Clannad released the best of album, , which is one of their biggest-selling albums to date.

In 2005 the two Duggan twins, Noel and Pádraig, got together for the first time outside of Clannad and recorded an album as a musical duo, The Duggans.

In a long awaited spectacle, the five original members of Clannad got on stage together for the first time in 10 years at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow on the 19 January, 2007. The concert was greeted by 2,000 fans who travelled from places such as the USA and Brazil to see the legendary group perform some of the most loved songs in music history. While at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards that were held in Dublin on February 1, 2007 Clannad were presented with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.

Musical style

When Clannad first started out in the early 70s it was evident that their music and sound stemmed solely from their traditional background. Despite this they managed to popularize such old songs as "Dúlamán", "Teidhir Abhaile Riú" and "Coinleach Glas An Fhómhair", and these songs have remained popular numbers at their concerts. On the departure from their folk and traditional background in 1982, they created a new sound that would define the meaning of new age and celtic music forever. When "Theme From Harry's Game" and "Newgrange" were first heard, radio stations all over the world became fascinated by the earthly and spiritual sound that they had never encountered before.^[3]One critic said "the tunes were seeped in the old ways, but the production and the arrangement was fresh and inventive". This transition in Clannad's career is often seen as the birth of Celtic music and till this day they are regarded as the pioneers of that genre. After the release of Legend (1984) which contrary to previous releases, was based on English folklore, journalists and critics alike were having difficulty explaining the band's effect. More often than not, the words "haunting" and "ethereal" were virtually strapped to every review. As the albums reached a wider audience, the band kept reaching for new methods to expand their style. With later albums Clannad delved further into the realms of electronica and even pop. Due to this, many of their singles entered pop charts all over the world, and widened their fan base once again. Despite their huge success with this genre of music, the group managed to maintain a link with their Gaelic roots right up to the present day, giving traditional Irish songs such as "Tráthnóna Beag Aréir" and "Buachaill Ón Éirne" the Clannad treatment.

Even though the rock-infused Sirius and the pop-inclined Macalla have become huge successes for Clannad, it was their break-through style that they created themselves that has left the greatest legacy. One of the places where Clannad's influence can be seen is in the film Titanic. The soundtrack was so like Clannad's work, that it has been incorrectly credited to them for many years. The otherworldly and godly Clannad sound comes from the ancient hills and glens that surround Gweedore, according to lead singer Moya Brennan. Also, when asked to describe the group's style she added, "When people ask me to define the Clannad sound, I always say if they were to visit Gweedore they wouldn't need to ask". Today, traces of Clannad's legacy can be heard in the music of many acts, including The Corrs, Loreena McKennitt, Anúna, Riverdance, Enya and even U2.

The Brennan family

The Brennans are officially Ireland's most successful music family, with combined sales of over 90 million records. Máire (or Baba) Duggan and Leo Brennan are the parents of the Brennan siblings Máire (or Moya), Leon, Ciarán, Deirdre, Pól, Olive, Eithne (or Enya), Bartley, and Brídín. Baba was the local school's music teacher and Leo led the celebrated Slieve Foy show band. The catalyst that would propel the entire family onto the stage was the opening of Leo's Tavern in 1968 in Meenaleck, Co. Donegal. This pub has become a musical Mecca over the years, and Bono and Paul Brady have even been known to join in the regular jamming sessions.

The first members of the family to publish their music were Ciarán, Pól and Máire (now known as Moya), who in 1972 released Clannad's first album. Their Irish folk sound captivated audiences, and it was to be the beginning of a long prosperous career, one that continues to grow. Over the years they have sold millions of records, they sang for the Pope, and their first famous song "Theme From Harry's Game", was the first, and so far only, Irish Gaelic song ever heard on Top of the Pops. The other six children can all sing and play one or more instruments - Olive and Deirdre have sung on Moya's solo albums and Brídín, who for years toured with Clannad as a backing vocalist, has released a solo record, Eyes of Innocence.

Máire Duggan is currently the lead member of the local Catholic choir, Cór Mhuire Doire Beaga, but no longer continues to teach in the local community school Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. The choir has gained national acclaim, and is frequently joined by Leo Brennan and the Brennan siblings.

Leo helps his son Bartley to run the family pub, Leo's Tavern, and still takes to the stage equipped with his accordion and mic.

Private Lives

The private life of lead member Moya was detailed in her biography in 2000. She confessed that the lowest point of her life was the day she had an abortion. At the peak of Clannad's success, Moya dabbled in drink and drugs, which led to the failure of her first marriage. She did a lot of cocaine, allegedly due to the pressures of the Rock n' Roll industry in the 1980s. But in the present, Moya claims to have found God (with her music being featured on Contemporary Christian music compilations), and is happily married to her second husband Tim, with two children.

Trivia

• Colm Meaney's character in the 2003 film Intermission mentions Clannad's celtic mysticism.^[4]
• Their hit song "The Hunter" is a re-working of the song "Herne", which appears on their 1984 album Legend.
• Rock group U2 performed the Clannad song "Theme From Harry's Game" at the end of every concert during their 1982 War Tour.^[5]
• Chicane's melodic trance anthem "Saltwater" features an adaption of the song "Theme From Harry's Game" taken from the Clannad album Magical Ring.

Discography

• 1973 — Clannad (The Pretty Maid) debut
• 1975 — Clannad 2
• 1976 — Dúlamán
• 1979 — Clannad in Concert [live]
• 1980 — Crann Úll
• 1982 — Fuaim
• 1983 — Magical Ring
• 1984 — Legend [soundtrack for Robin of Sherwood]
• 1985 — Macalla
• 1987 — Sirius
• 1988 — Atlantic Realm [soundtrack]
• 1989 — Past Present [compilation]
• 1990 — The Collection [compilation]
• 1989 — The Angel and the Soldier Boy [soundtrack]
• 1990 — Anam (US: 1992)
• 1993 — Banba (with The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack theme)
• 1994 — Themes
• 1996 — Lore
• 1996 —
• 1997 — Landmarks
• 1998 — An Díolaim [collection of early recordings for Irish Gael-Linn label]
• 2003 —
• 2005 — [live]

Singles

• * 1974 "Dhéanainn Súgradh/Eleanor Plunkett"
• 1975 "An Bealach Seo 'tá Romhainn"
• 1978 "Down By The Sally Gardens"
• 1981 "Mhorag's Na Horo Gheallaidh/Strayed Away"
• 1982 "Theme From Harry's Game" UK #5
• 1983 "I See Red/Tá Mé 'Mo Shuí" UK #81
• 1983 "Newgrange" UK #65
• 1984 "Robin (The Hooded Man)" UK #42
• 1985 "Closer To Your Heart"
• 1985 "Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)" UK #80
• 1986 "In A Lifetime" UK #20
• 1987 "Something To Believe In"
• 1988 "Live and Learn"
• 1989 "The Hunter" UK #91
• 1986 "In A Lifetime (reissue)" UK #17
• 1989 "Hourglass" UK #91
• 1989 "A Dream In The Night"
• 1990 "In Fortune's Hand" UK #80
• 1991 "Why Worry?"
• 1991 "Both Sides Now" UK #74
• 1993 "Mystery Game"
• 1993 "I Will Find You"
• 1996 "Seanchas"
• 1997 "An Gleann"
• 1997 "Christmas Angels"

Studio albums

Clannad (1973) (Gael Linn) 300,000 copies sold	Clannad 2 (1975) (Gael Linn) 250,000 copies sold	Dúlamán (1976) (Gael Linn) 550,000 copies sold	Crann Úll (1980) (Gael Linn) 260,000 copies sold
Fuaim (1982) (Gael Linn) 650,000 copies sold	Magical Ring (1983) (RCA Records) 800,000 copies sold	Legend (1984) (RCA Records) 1,100,000 copies sold	Macalla (1985) (RCA Records) 2,000,000 copies sold
Sirius (1987) (RCA Records) 900,000 copies sold	Atlantic Realm (1988) (RCA Records) 180,000 copies sold	The Angel and the Soldier Boy (1989) (RCA Records|RCA) 350,000 copies sold	Anam (1990) (RCA Records) 2,000,000 copies sold
Banba (1993) (RCA Records) 1,750,000 copies sold	Lore (1996) (RCA Records) 1,010,000 copies sold	Landmarks (1997) (RCA Records) 1,300,000 copies sold

Unofficial albums

• 1979 — Ring Of Gold [live, unofficial bootleg]

References

External links

• The Official Clannad Website
• The Unofficial Clannad Website
• The Clannad Newsblog
• Great Clannad Discography
• Moya Brennan's official website
• Brídín Brennan's official website
• Donegal County Website - Clannad
• Clannad Lyrics Page
• Unofficial Clannad Forum