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Fuaim also saw the arrival of a new member to the
group on vocals and Keyboard, Eithne Ni Bhraonain, the Brennan's
younger sister. Eithne later changed her name to Enya and went on
to become an international multi-million selling artist in her own
right.
"Fuaim is the sound of a group on top
of their art, and yet another testament to the way in which traditional
based musicians are coming to grips with the demands of the '80s. Hotpress "Fuaim is without doubt one of the best I've heard this year. Were I in a position to nominate it for some kind of award I would do so without hesitation, then, I'll dub it Best Irish Album of 1982...... and it'll take something special to take away that title in the next eight months (written in March '82)" RTE Guide "One thing that makes Fuaim so effective
is its use of simplicity. Whether interpreting Irish songs that
go back centuries or embracing songs written in recent years,
Clannad (whose members sing in both English and Gaelic) is a band
that knows how to use subtlety and understatement to great artistic
advantage. Fuaim offers a striking blend of acoustic and electric
instruments. Synthesizers and electric guitar successfully interact
with the harp, the flute and the mandola on this consistently
enriching celebration of Irish culture." Clannad albums available online include;
With their reputation growing at a steady pace they began playing folk festivals in Ireland. In 1973 they released their first album simply titled "Clannad' which showed a band aware of the Irish music of the time, there was a taste of modern influences as well as traditional songs, sung in the Irish language. In 1975 they released their second album 'Clannad Two' which was produced by Donal Lunny of Planxty and Bothy Band fame. This was followed the following year by the Dúlamám album. By this time the group's reputation was spreading throughout Europe where standing ovations were commonplace. At this point they came to the attention of Tara who recorded their next album 'Crann Ull' which in addition to featuring Máire's harp playing also featured a fuller band sound which was a feature of their live shows at the time.
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Fuaim was Clannad's sixth
album and at the time of it's original release, in 1982, it represented
a new musical direction for the group which ultimately led them
to major international recoginition. Fuaim was the first Clannad
album to feature instruments such, drums (Noel Bridgeman), electric
guitar (Pat O'Farrell), synthesiser, and Neil Buckley on clarinet
and saxophone in their arrangements, which at the time was unheard
of in traditional Irish Music. 
Clannad,
who hail from the small village of Dore, in the heart of the Gaelic
speaking areas of Co. Donegal in the North West of Ireland, take
their name from the Gaelic word for 'family', which is most appropriate
for when they started out playing in their farther Leo's bar about
1970 Maire Brennan was accompanied by her brothers Ciaran (vocals,
guitar, bass), Pol (guitar, percussion, flute, vocals) and two
of their uncles, Padraig Duggan (guitar, vocals, mandolin) and
Noel Duggan (guitar, vocals). The Brennans come from a very musical
family, their father Leo was a former cabaret band leader and
their mother was a school teacher who ran the local choir.