ALBUM REVIEW: The Chieftains 7

Claddagh Records, 1977 | CC24
Columbia (Sony), 1978 | CK 35612

By Sarah Adams

This album was the first album picked up by Columiba Records for release in America. It is a good album with a number of strong tracks made complete with the ubiquitous O'Carolan tracks. The album wins the prize for the most original artwork. If one looks at the albume cover, a person can find instruments amid the coins and leprechauns on the cover. Note the dance area where several are dancing. It is a bodhran.

Some of the strongest tracks on the album are "O'Sullivan's March" which reappears on Film Cuts and The Best of The Chieftains released in the 1990s. "Hedigan's Fancy" features a flat set of pipes played by Paddy Moloney and is a wonderful addition. It is sad that the flat pitch pipes are not used more often. They are almost softer and more sweet than the concert pitch. Ace and Deuce of Pipering arranged by Sean Keane and it reflects playing the pipes but using instruments other than pipes to similate the sound of the drones and chanter. The first time I heard this song, I could not figure out what they were doing until after several listenings of the track. Unfortunately Columbia never included the liner notes on the original cassette tape release. Two other tracks also caught my attention. "Fairies Lamentation and Dance" reflects the lament of the fairies and the dance that reflects the pain or sadness of their lives in this epic tome. "Dochas" (Hope) is a beautiful statement on the desire for poitical and cultural freedom. It has quickly become one of my favorite tracks on this album. It is a gently written song but it speaks volumes.

Chieftains 7 was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1978 in the category of Ethinic Music.