Although the Riverdance show and its music appeared
to be an overnight success, elements of the music had been developing
over many years prior to the Riverdance event.
One of the strongest of these musical elements was introduced by
the artist Andy Irvine who, having spent some considerable time
in The Balkans, returned to Ireland and introduced Eastern European
music and time signatures to the ground breaking band 'Planxty'
who then proceeded to record a number of these superbly crafted
instrumental tracks. Andy, who was a founder member of both Planxty
and later Patrick Street, continued to blend Eastern European and
Irish Celtic music over many years and introduced it to many Irish
musicians.
It is thus that TARA would like to bring to your attention five
precursor albums to Riverdance. The musical elements and instruments
are easily recognisable in their influence on the Riverdance music
and virtually all the musicians involved were at some point part
of the Riverdance phenomenon.
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Bill Whelan's first major orchestral work The
Seville Suite was inspired by the exploits of 'Red' Hugh O'Donnell,
The Earl of Tirconaill - from The Battle of Kinsale until
his eventual arrival in Galicia to the celebratory welcome
of The Spanish Earl of Caraçena. The soloists who contribute
invaluably to The Seville Suite are all outstanding musicians
in their own field. Davy Spillane on Uilleann Pipes, Máirtín
O'Connor on Accordion, Mel Mercier on Bodhrán, Mairéad Nesbitt
on Fiddle. Harp, Whistles and Galician Pipes are performed
by the Spanish traditional group Milladoiro.
The album also features a re-recording
of 'Timedance' which was performed by Planxty (including Bill)
for the interval of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest which
was staged in Dublin. This re-recording features Planxty musicians
Liam O'Flynn, Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine as well as Nollaig
Casey on fiddle.
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Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane
- East Wind (
Tara 3027)
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This would be a culminating album for Andy Irvine that perfectly
combines Eastern European and Irish Celtic music. This album
was produced and arranged by Riverdance composer Bill Whelan
and many of the musicians on the album are now part of Riverdance.
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Davy is a master uilleann (Irish) pipe and Low Whistle Player.
He has been a featured musician on albums for such artists as
Van Morrision, Chris Rea, Emmylou Harris, Gerry Rafferty, Kate
Bush, Elvis Costello, and Enya. There was quite simply no better
artist than Davy to play these mystical instruments for the
Riverdance recording. It is interesting to note on the track
'Mystic Seacliffs', composed by Bill Whelan, where
the elements of Riverdance composer and artist have been previously
combined. |
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The band was renowned for its instrumental prowess. The well
known Irish Journalist Eamonn McCann once said about this album
that it was "A set of instrumentals which would set the
sinews of a Siberian camp abuzz with good vibes"! Band
members Davy Spillane, Declan Masterson, Noel Eccles and Eoghan
O'Neill are now either Riverdance recording artists or members
of the Riverdance band. |
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