The Chieftains

This is the CD that introduced me to Celtic music. There are so many favorites here. The Bells of Dublin ring in Christmas for me. Il Est Ne I loved since having to learn it in French class. The quiet reverence of Don Oiche Ud im Beithel, of Once In Royal David's City, and of O Holy Night reminds me of the reason for this season. Then there are the songs that set my toes to twitching: Skyline Jig, The Dingle Set, and Brafferton Village/Walsh's Hornpipe. All in all, this is an hour of show more delightful Christmas music. show less

Morrison and the Chieftains sound made for each other on this beautiful album. "On Ragland Road" is a favorite, from a poem by Patrick Kavanagh. Heard them do it once live, and it was electrifying.

The first four Chieftains albums, originally issued on LP by Claddagh (and three of which I own). Essential listening for anyone with an interest in Irish music.

1 Never Give All The Heart
Choir – Anúna
Vocals [Spoken] – Brenda Fricker
2:50
2 A Stór Mo Chroí
Bass – Hutch Hutchinson
Vocals, Dobro – Bonnie Raitt
3:46
3 The Lowlands Of Holland
Accordion – Máirtin O'Connor*
Engineer [Assistant] – Wayne Wilkins
Guitar – Erik Della Penna
Vocals – Natalie Merchant
3:46
4 The Magdalene Laundries
Backing Vocals – The Screaming Orphans
Engineer [Assistant] – Mike Stotella
Vocals, Guitar – Joni Mitchell
4:59
5 Jimmy Mó Mhíle Stór
Guitar – Arty show more McGlynn, Jimmy Rankin
Piano – John Morris Rankin
Vocals – The Rankins*
4:37
6 I Know My Love
Bodhrán – Caroline Corr
Double Bass – James Blenner-Hasset*
Fiddle – Sharon Corr
Guitar – Jim Corr
Handclaps – Cuco Castellanos*
Percussion – Noel Bridgeman
Tin Whistle – Andrea Corr
Vocals – The Corrs
3:54
7 Factory Girl
Engineer [Additional] – Alex Marcou
Vocals – Sinéad O'Connor
4:23
8 Deserted Soldier (An Saighdiúir Tréigthe)
Double Bass – Malachy Robinson
Engineer [Assistant] – Mike Griffith
Piano – Matt Rollings
Vocals – Mary Chapin Carpenter
4:39
9 Ye Rambling Boys Of Pleasure
Cello – Úna Ni Chanainn
Vocals, Harp – Loreena McKennitt
4:33
10 Sake In The Jar
Engineer – Takahiro Nochimura
Engineer [Assistant] – Satomi Yamaguchi
Percussion [Japanese] – Chito Kawachi
Vocals, Piano – Akiko Yano
4:28
11 Raglan Road
Engineer – William Wittman
Keyboards – Rob Hyman
Vocals – Joan Osborne
6:19
12 Siúil A Rún
Engineer [Assistant] – George Fullan
Engineer, Acoustic Guitar – William Wittman
Keyboards – Rob Hyman
Vocals – Sissel
4:35
13 The Fiddling Ladies
Djembe – KweYao Agyapon
Engineer – Brian Keane
Engineer [Additional] – Jeff Frez-Albrecht*
Fiddle – Annbjorg Lien*, Eileen Ivers, Máire Breatnach, Natalie MacMaster
Guitar – Arty McGlynn, Zan McLeod
Piano – Tracy Dares
10:23
14 Danny Boy
Choir – Bishop Nathaniel Townsley Jr. & Gospel Jubilee Choir
Double Bass – Malachy Robinson
Engineer [Additional] – Cat Neri, David Cannon
Guitar – Russell Malone
Vocals – Diana Krall
5:28

Credits:
Bodhrán – Kevin Conneff
Fiddle – Martin Fay (2), Sean Keane
Flute – Matt Molloy
Harp, Strings [Tiompán], Keyboards – Derek Bell
Keyboards – Patrick Fitzpatrick (tracks: 1, 7, 9, 12)
Producer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Brian Masterson, Paddy Moloney
Uilleann Pipes, Tin Whistle – Paddy Moloney show less