Biography
Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland (1981-1987)
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy were the founders of the Irish band Altan. Their first album together ("Ceol Aduaidh") was released in 1983, a few years before the band Altan was actually born. The second album titled "Altan" was released in 1987 and the musicians appearing on this album are substantially those that became the early incarnation of Altan the band.
'Ceol Aduaidh', released in 1983, marks the first recording from Altan founders Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (fiddle) and Frankie Kennedy (flute) during a time when the couple performed as a duo in Donegal County. Even in those early days the husband-and-wife team showed signs of greatness not only in their expert musicianship and vibrant connection to the Gaelic tradition, but also in Ní Mhaonaigh's high, pure voice. Her work on the various a cappella songs here hint at the beautiful vocal confidence that would later emerge on such albums as 'Harvest Storm'. Other outstanding cuts include "An Cruach Fraoch" and "Ríl She´in Mhosaí"- the kind of vigorous reels Altan would gain notoriety for down the road. For anyone interested in the origins of this spectacular group, the simple but lively 'Ceol Aduaidh' will well satisfy.
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