The Blue Idol
The Blue Idol | ||||
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File:The Blue Idol.jpg | ||||
Studio album by Altan | ||||
Released | 26 February 2002 | |||
Recorded | June - August, 2001 | |||
Genre | Irish traditional Folk |
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Length | 49:20 | |||
Label | Narada | |||
Producer | Altan | |||
Altan chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Billboard | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Blue Idol is the eighth studio album by Irish traditional band Altan. It was released in February 2002 on the Narada label and was mixed and engineered by nine-time Grammy Award-winner Gary Paczosa.
The Blue Idol features guest artists such as Dolly Parton on "The Pretty Young Girl", which was translated by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's father Proinsias and Paul Brady on "Daily Growing".
Contents
Critical reception
The Blue Idol received a dithyrambic review from Billboard, describing it as «a work of genius» and as «a triumph for Altan and a reminder of the endless charm of Irish music».[3][2][nb 1]
Track listing
- "Daily Growing" [Song] – 4:53 (also known as "The Threes They Grow High")
- "Uncle Rat" [Song] – 2:18
- "Roaring Water" [Jig] – 3:15
- "The Pretty Young Girl" [Song] – 4:39
- "The Blue Idol/The Butchers March" – 3:05
- "The Gatehouse Maid/The Ashplant/The Trip to Cullenstown" – 3:52
- "Cuach Mo Lon Dubh Buí" [Song] – 3:02
- "Mother's Delight/Ormond Sound/Mike Hoban's Reel" – 4:22
- "The Low Highland/Moneymusk/Duncan Davidson Highlands/The Wild Irishman Reel" – 3:39
- "The Sea-Apprentice Boy" [Song] – 3:50
- "Sláinte Theilinn – A Health to Teelin" [Air] – 4:00
- "An Cailín Deas Óg" [Song] – 4:40
- "Comb Your Hair and Curl It/Gweebarra Bridge" – 3:45
All titles are traditional, with the following exceptions:
- "Roaring Water" – composed by Ciaran Tourish and Mark Kelly
- "Cuach Mo Lon Dubh Buí" – lyrics traditional, music composed by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
- "Sláinte Theilinn – A Health to Teelin" – composed by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
See tune identifications for this album at irishtune.info.
Live performances
Altan played live in concert the following tracks: "Uncle Rat", "The Pretty Young Girl", "The Blue Idol/The Butchers March", "An Cailín Deas Óg" & "Comb Your Hair and Curl It/Gweebarra Bridge".
Personnel
Altan
- Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh – Fiddle, vocals
- Ciaran Tourish – Fiddle, whistle, backing vocals
- Ciarán Curran – Bouzouki, mandolin
- Mark Kelly – Guitar, bouzouki, backing vocals
- Dermot Byrne – Accordion
- Dáithí Sproule – Guitar, backing vocals
Guest musicians
- James Blennerhassett – Bass (track 1, 2)
- Paul Brady – Vocals (track 1)
- Harry Bradley – Flute (track 5, 8)
- Richie Buckley
- Steve Cooney – Bass (track 11)
- Jim Higgins – Bodhrán (tracks 1-3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13)
- Dónal Lunny – Bouzouki (tracks 1, 4, 11, 12), keyboards (track 1)
- Neil Martin – Cello (track 11)
- Anna Ní Mhaonaigh
- Liam O'Flynn – Uillean pipes (track 3)
- Dolly Parton – Vocals (track 4)
Production
- Gary Paczosa – Engineer
- Alistair McMillan – Assistant engineer
- Amelia Stein – Band photography
- Shaughn McGrath/Four 5 One Design – Design
Notes
- ↑ The Blue Idol is a work of genius. Everything that's appealing, powerful, and musically special about Irish music is contained in these 13 tracks. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's singing is spellbinding, and her fiddling is no less fascinating, especially when augmented by the fiddle of Ciarán Tourish. The group's ensemble playing is formidable, as attested to in the series of jigs and reels that constitute tracks five, six, eight, and nine. Lovely and intriguing lyrics distinguish "Daily Growing" and "Uncle Rat." Also included are several songs performed in Gaelic—"Cuach mo Lon Dubh Bui" of particular interest by virtue of its catchy arrangement and unexpected saxophone part. Also take note of Dolly Parton's delightful guest vocal on "The Pretty Young Girl." The Blue Idol is a triumph for Altan and a reminder of the endless charm of Irish music. — PVV