CLANNAD WITH ENYA 'Fuaim' TARA3008

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.

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.
Fuaim is a sound to be savoured"

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."
Alex Henderson- All Music Guide

Clannad albums available online include;

Fuaim

Crann Ull

Clannad 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.

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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