ALBUM REVIEW: The Chieftains

Claddagh Records, 1963 | CC02
Island Records, 1963 | 9364
Shanachie Records Corp., 1991 | 79021

By Sarah Adams

This first outing as The Chieftains includes Moloney, Fay, Tubridy, Potts and Fallon. For a first album it is not that bad. It shows the early seeds that would lead the Chieftains to the success they have today. Moloney does a good job of directing this effort. I felt this album was interesting in the sense that it shows the young side of the Chieftains when they are still feeling their musical feet. This album and their work with Ceoltoiri Cualann was a fertile starting for their future endeavors. My favorite track was "Walls of Liscarroll" featuring Potts and Moloney on whistles in a different key. Interestingly if one listens closely to "An Comhra Donn/Murphy's Hornpipe" the music is similar to the music track used for "Changing Your Demeanour" on the Long Black Veil. The can also be said for "Boys of Ballisodare" which shows similarity to "Rocky Road to Dublin" also from The Long Black Veil" album.