Clannad definitely an exception to the musical norms of the Gaelmuintir. Great read, I think that the interesting thing about Clannad and Enya is that they play on the fetishisation of Celtic language groups and peoples that arises out of a kind of "white-yearning" response to post-colonialism. A lot of this kind of stuff is shared in fantasy literature and film, and I hear a cohesiveness between the sound of Clannad and that artistic work. I think that there's an argument to be made that there is a mystic view of Irish-speaking people in the Gaeltacht and their culture held by those outside it which is consistently rearticulated in the various Celtic revivals that have happened in the last 200 years. This is hilarious given that country, trad, and songwriterey music is the most commonly heard stuff around the Gaeltacht (it's not that different from the rest of Ireland surprise surprise).
I absolutely adored The theme to Robin Hood The Hooded Man as an 8 year old! I also liked Enya around that time but as a teenager and for many years i (wrongly) associated her with trite Celtic fluff before coming to the realisation she was actually a bold innovating brilliant musicmaker. Definitely one of the best Irish composers ever. thanks for the article, will check out some Clannad!
Clannad definitely an exception to the musical norms of the Gaelmuintir. Great read, I think that the interesting thing about Clannad and Enya is that they play on the fetishisation of Celtic language groups and peoples that arises out of a kind of "white-yearning" response to post-colonialism. A lot of this kind of stuff is shared in fantasy literature and film, and I hear a cohesiveness between the sound of Clannad and that artistic work. I think that there's an argument to be made that there is a mystic view of Irish-speaking people in the Gaeltacht and their culture held by those outside it which is consistently rearticulated in the various Celtic revivals that have happened in the last 200 years. This is hilarious given that country, trad, and songwriterey music is the most commonly heard stuff around the Gaeltacht (it's not that different from the rest of Ireland surprise surprise).
I absolutely adored The theme to Robin Hood The Hooded Man as an 8 year old! I also liked Enya around that time but as a teenager and for many years i (wrongly) associated her with trite Celtic fluff before coming to the realisation she was actually a bold innovating brilliant musicmaker. Definitely one of the best Irish composers ever. thanks for the article, will check out some Clannad!
Your going to lose your fucking mind when you get into Altan’s back catalogue ;)