The Road Less Traveled

Irish music as good as it gets:
Danu is an Irish traditional music group based in Co. Waterford, made up of seven young musicians from counties Waterford, Dublin, Kerry and Donegal. Their third album is a vibrant traditional affair of instrumentals and songs, all skilfully arranged using a wide array of instruments like accordion, fiddle, guitar, uilleann pipes, whistles, bouzouki and bodhran. The medleys move along at an urgent pace, each member taking turns to strut their stuff, while Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's singing is as sweet and attractive as it comes. Tommy Sand's "County Down", the North American "Peg and Awl", Richard Thompson's "Farewell Farewell" (made famous by Sandy Denny), and various Gaelic songs have a delightful poignancy, while the many instrumentals are bright, energetic and joyful. It is clear that this very cohesive band is steeped in tradition and enjoys being so. Delightful.

The Cream of the Crop:
If you like Irish music you will be positively wowed by the virtuosity, perfection, brilliance, genius, etc. etc. etc. of Danu. These folks are in a class by themselves. If you've never liked Irish music or have just been indifferent to it, this is the group to change your mind. The Road Less Traveled is an impeccably performed collection of tunes that you will never tire of. And if you see a notice of Danu coming to your town, run, don't walk, and get to the show. They are as electrifying in person as they are on record. No special effects here. Just world-class Irish music.

Really awesome band!!!:
Danu has been a favorite of mine for quite a while... I'd been looking forward to this cd for a long time!!! Ciaran had a beautiful voice, but Muireann has a lovely voice too and does her songs really very well. Although my favorite of their cds still remains Think Before you Think, this one is right up there with it!!! I would highly recommend this cd.

Favorite band next to Dervish...:
I've seen these guys twice- once here in the US and then again in Ireland, so I've seen both their American-oriented show, and their more traditional show... And I've got to say... wow... i never actually listened to them before seeing them at the Dublin Irish fest in Ohio, but when I heard "County Down' and 'Farewell Farewell', it's just gone from there. The vocals are just unbelieveable (am a Celtic vocalist myself) As of yet I don't own my own copy of this album, but from what I've heard from it, I am definitely going to get it the next chance I have! It was also the cd we listened to on one of our last days in Ireland.

A great Irish music CD:
Danú's "The Road Less Traveled" is a very entertaining album with an excellent selection of jigs, reels, and songs. The 6th track, "Garech's Wedding/Reel Gan Ainm/The Moving Bog/Cliffs of GlenColmCille" is particularly good, and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's vocals on songs such as "Co. Down" and "Beannacht ó Rí na hAoine" are outstanding. Overall, this album is very comparable in its high quality to Danú's more recent "When All Is Said And Done," lacking only the high energy opening track of that album. This young group represents the very best in Irish music.