The Chieftains Albums (29)
'A Chieftains Celebration'
Release Date 3/15/2005
Tracks 11
Label Collectables
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What The Critics Say
This release features the traditional Chieftains instrumentation with the addition of drums, guitars, sax, didjeridu and cello. The Chieftains perform a medley of Scottish dance tunes, a double jig, a drinking song, a Van Morrison title (with Van M. himself), a few vocals and more. ~ MusD, All Music Guide
'Live from Dublin: A Tribute to Derek Bell'
Release Date 2/22/2005
Tracks 16
Label RCA
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What The Critics Say
Harp player/multi-instrumentalist Derek Bell, a member of the Chieftains since 1972, was -- unlike his co-conspirators -- a classically trained musician. His love for the traditional music of Ireland and the world over, as well as his mischievous nature, may have found him bestowing his talents upon an entirely different audience than he originally expected, but as he was fond of saying, "No one ever asked me to join, and no one ever asked me to leave." Recorded in 2004, Live From Dublin: A Tribute to Derek Bell finds the remaining members, as well as numerous special guests including Allison Moorer and Anuna -- the latter do flawless rendition of the tongue-twisting classic "Fionnghuala," made famous by the Bothy Band -- burning through a set of both traditional and contemporary sets that manage to celebrate the group's lauded past while keeping an eye on their immediate future. The performances are all top-notch and the emotions run high, resulting in a powerful -- yet whimsical -- celebration of one of Celtic music's late greats. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
'Water From the Well'
Release Date 2/22/2000
Tracks 17
Label RCA Victor
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What The Critics Say
Ever since 1988's Irish Heartbeat, the Chieftains relied on guest artists on their own albums, ranging from Celtic peers to pop, rock, and country superstars, since the cameos virtually guaranteed that each new album would be treated as an event. That's also the case with 2000's Water in the Well, a traditional Irish folk/Celtic album filled with guest spots by traditional Celtic musicians. That might not seem like an anomaly from a band that had a great deal to do with the popularization of Celtic music in the last 25 years of the 20th century, but it had been a while since the band members devoted themselves to the music so completely as they do here. Does it work? Yes. This is a rare incident where a preponderance of guests -- and there are over 20 cameos here -- doesn't result in a sluggish, carefully considered record. Not only do the Chieftains have a great time embracing traditional dances and ballads, but their guests invigorate them, resulting in a very strong listen. It's the kind of record that only a seasoned band could make; it might not be groundbreaking or definitive, but it is an accomplished yet enthusiastic set of songs where the joy is in the little details. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This album is a follow-up to the 1995 album The Long Black Veil. The idea is the same: the Chieftains play house band for many guest vocalists and musicians. The difference this time around is that all the musicians and vocalists featured are women. Sinéad O'Connor is the one return performance, and she justifies that honor with her sorrowful and beautiful rendition of the traditional song "Factory Girl." The roster of guests is diverse, and it is a credit to the musical ability of the Chieftains to keep a common thread going and blend their arrangements with all the different voices. Bonnie Raitt sounds just as much an Irish folk singer on her track "A Stor Mo Chrio" as Loreena McKennitt does on her version of "Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure." The trick is that Paddy Maloney's arrangements highlight the unique talents of each guest. Most of the songs are traditional Irish tunes with new arrangements, the exceptions being the haunting "The Magdalene Laundries" written and sung by Joni Mitchell and strange but somehow fitting "Sake in the Jar" written and sung by Akiko Yano. The song features Japanese percussion instruments and should stick out among the distinctly Celtic contributions here, but it blends right in. Paddy Maloney states in the liner notes that the point of the project was to "marry the many-faceted voices of contemporary women artists from around the world with the simple beauty of traditional Irish music." It is a job well done. ~ Susan Cruickshank, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Unbeknownst to some, a healthy Celtic music scene developed in Canada during the '80s and '90s and the Chieftains wisely chose to spotlight the region with Fire in the Kitchen. Every track was recorded with a different artist and, like the group's previous collaborations, the album brings out the best in both the Chieftains and their guests. To casual Celtic fans, Ashley MacIsaac may be the only familiar name here, but Natalie MacMaster, the Great Big Sea, Laura Smith, the Barra MacNeils, Rita MacNeil, La Bottine Souriante, Mary Jane Lamond, the Rankins, Leahy and the Ennis Sisters all give equally compelling performances, helping make Fire in the Kitchen yet another splendid entry in the Chieftains' canon. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Here the Chieftains have embarked upon an exploration of the "lost Celtic province" of Galicia (the northwest corner of Spain) and areas extending to Portugal, the Basque provinces, and Cuba. They have used the finest musicians from these areas to propel their music with a conviction that staggers the imagination. Santiago catapults the listener into a musical excursion that seamlessly flows through the styles and musics of these different lands, so that a beginning and an end can no more be distinguished than the waters of the Mississippi River can be separated from those rivers that flow into it on its journey from its heart to its mouth. Attempting to find album highlights is virtually impossible due to the incredible musicianship displayed by the guests, too numerous to mention, who populate this work. Nevertheless, the opening five-part suite "Pilgrimage to Santiago" is worthy of singling out, with its use of ancient traditional instruments such as the tralaparta (large wooden planks that are laid on baskets and maize leaves and played with sticks) and the participation, in a different section of the suite, of the Ulteria Choir. Another notable track is "Dueling Chanters" with "seventh Chieftain" Carlos Nunez, a Galician gaita player, who had toured with the group for about two years at the time of this recording. As Paddy Moloney on uilleann pipes and Nunez on gaita trade dazzling licks, it is an absolute delight to hear these two, on their cousins to the bagpipes, playing off each other so beautifully. ~ Bob Gottlieb, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With Long Black Veil, the Chieftains attempted a mainstream pop crossover by recording with rock and pop stars from the Rolling Stones and Sting to Van Morrison and Sinéad O'Connor. Instead of changing their sound to accommodate the talents of their guests, the band plays it straight. As always, their performance is superb; what is surprising is how well the pop stars sing Celtic material. None of the guest singers sound displaced or uncomfortable, which is largely due to the sympathetic performances of the Chieftains. In fact, the pairings work so well that Long Black Veil doesn't sound like an effort to broaden their audience; rather, it sounds completely natural. ~ Sara Sytsma, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Produced by head Chieftain Paddy Maloney, The Celtic Harp is essentially a showcase for the very talented harpist Derek Bell. Bell handled all of the arrangements, as well as contributed harpsichord and tiompan to the proceedings. Fine solos from flute god Matt Malloy ("Parting of Friends/Kerry Fling"), vocalist Kevin Conneff ("Green Fields of America"), and pipe player Maloney ("T'Aimse 'Im Chodladh") give the album a definite Chieftain feel, but The Celtic Harp belongs to Bell, who infuses each note with the subtlety and grace of a true master. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
While there's nothing quite like seeing the Chieftains live in concert, An Irish Evening marks the next best thing. Recorded live over two evenings at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, the disc captures the group's eclectic, fun, and loving approach to traditional Irish music. American country-folk singer/songwriter Nanci Griffith (a huge star in Ireland in her own right) provides sweet vocals on "Little Love Affairs," "Red Is the Rose," and "Ford Econoline." The Who's Roger Daltrey sounds a tad awkward on the traditional "Raglan Road" and the music hall-ish "Any Old Iron," but delivers a fascinating trad-style acoustic rendition of his group's "Behind Blue Eyes." An Irish Evening will appeal to die-hard fans and, with the co-billing of Daltrey and Griffith, will likely attract a whole new audience as well.~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide
