Magical Ring is "the big" Clannad album. The single "Theme to Harry's Game" (which, in case it sounds familiar was also a theme in Patriot Games) was a huge success on the UK charts that catapulted them out of the "some folk band" pocket. The simple, mesmerizing track--sung in the layered reverb that would become their trademark--remains one of the bands finest recordings.

Don't let the title fool you--there are some fine moments here. (Magical Ring actually refers to Newgrange and sounds a lot better in the context of the song).

This is a strikingly acoustic album for Clannad, with only two tracks boasting their trademark "new-age" feel, these being "Harry's Game" and "Newgrange."

My favorite track on the entire album is Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair--a beautiful traditional piece with Maire backed only by guitar.

While the strong moments on this album are some of the strongest of their career, the weak ones--and there are quite a few--make this the only Clannad album that I would really consider "Easy Listening." This meaning that a lot of the music can be easily tuned out by the listener.

All of the best tracks on "Magical Ring" would be later put on their PastPresent album. I would reccomend that first to anyone with a short attention span (like me).

If you want more info on Clannad--or song lyrics (you'll probably need some of them--a lot are in Gaelic), I reccomend this web site-- "http://www.empire.net/~whatmoug/clanhome.htm"

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GENERAL INFORMATION ON THIS ARTIST –

CLANNAD (pronounced CLAN-ned, the A and E both long) takes its name from the Gaelic word for Family.

CURRENT LINEUP –

Maire Brennan (pronounced MOY-a) – Most lead vocals, Keyboard and Celtic Harp

brother Ciaran Brennen (pronounced KEER-an) – Additional vocals, Occasional lead, Keyboard, Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitars, Mandolin

cousin Noel Duggan – Acoustic Guitar

his twin brother Padraig Duggan (pronounced PAH-dug) – Acoustic guitar and Mandolin

PREVIOUS MEMBERS –

Pol Brennan – Brother to Maire and Ciaran

Enya Brennan – Sister to Maire and Ciaran (Yes, THAT Enya)


CLANNAD is an Irish band from County Donegal, not far from the Northern Ireland border. A traditional family band for some years, they decided to go into professional music making around 1970. Their first few releases were mostly traditional pieces sung in Gaelic. They’re “big break” came with the release of their 1982 album, “Magical Ring,” which included the Theme to Harry’s Game, a BBC made-for-television movie. Clannad is best known for their layered harmonizing vocals, a technique where Maire and Ciaran record numerous harmony parts on the same vocal track, thus producing an ethereal chorus-like effect. Enya adapted this method and fans of her music will find the style comparable (though much more organic in sound).

CLANNAD’s most recent studio recording was LANDMARKS in 1998.

MAIRE BRENNAN has produced several popular solo projects. These are (to date) –

MAIRE
MISTY EYED ADVENTURES
PERFECT TIME
WHISPER TO THE WILD WATER

FOR A FULL DISCOGRAPHY, PICTURES, LINKS, AN FAQ, LYRICS, AND ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THEIR SONGS IN GAELIC, SEE THE UNOFFICIAL CLANNAD WEB SITE AT –

http://www.empire.net/~whatmoug/clanhome.htm


Recommended:
Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep