Danu

Subject: Danu
From: Mudlark
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 02:02 AM

Can anybody tell me anything about the band Danu (with an accent thingy on the u). They will be performing within 10 miles of me, phenomenal for someone as far out in the boonies as I am, and the ad says they play "Traditional Irish Music." They'll be here next Thurs. ....

Thanks for any help....

Mudlark

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Pene Azul
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 02:16 AM

Here's their website.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Manitas
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 02:24 AM

I saw them a couple of months ago. They are a young band with lots of energy but with enough experience to play a varied set rather than blasting out reel after reel. They include songs in Irish and English and we thought we could detect influences from the Bothy Band, Planxty, Boys of the Lough and the Chieftains in their music. It was a really good set.

Go and see them, I don't imagine you'll be diappointed.

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Mudlark
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 02:53 AM

Thanks for both website (duh...should have thot of that), and the review....seems like too good an opportunity to pass up...

Mudlark

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Margaret V
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 09:56 AM

Their tunes are well-executed but for me the highlight is their singer, Ciaran O Gealbhain. His voice is warm and open and expressive and sensitive, sounds like he's been around a lot longer than his anatomical years... I would certainly go see them if they were ten miles away. Have fun. Margaret

Subject: RE: Danu
From:
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 11:00 AM

Mudlark, definitely go and see them.

Also, seee if you can find out where they will head to AFTER their concert. Here in Halifax they were here for St Patrick's Day weekend. After they finished their show, they went to another Irish venue, and partied there with the musicians after close, well into the dawn. Monday night they did the same, and I believe they were there until 5AM Tuesday morning.

Needless to say, book the next day off before you go. 8-)

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Jenny the T
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 05:33 PM

They did the same in Bloomington, IN--great concert, with a great session to follow. They sessioned with a few of the locals the night before as well.

They put on a tremendous show--wonderful chops across the board. My own favorite, though, was their drummer, who has the largest set of shoulders I've ever seen on a man. After about three tunes, him doing virtuoso work on the bodhran, he stopped and buckled on a set of pipes, then commenced doing virtuoso work on them as well.

Go see 'em--you won't regret the admission fee. Their latest album, Think Before You Think, ain't bad, either.

JtT

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Bearheart
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 08:26 PM

Where are you? Where are they playing?

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Mudlark
Date: 16 Jun 01 - 04:55 PM

Thanks, everybody, for the info...will certainly catch them if there is still room in this small venue. Bearheart, I am in paso robles, CA, a small town about half way between LA and SF...I think from their website they are scheduled be in one or the other the night before and the night after this concert....aghh...you need to be young to be on the road!

Mudlark

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 17 Jun 01 - 12:17 AM

Ditto what everybody else said. They're an incredible band. Not a weak link in the lot of them. Great playing, nice singing, cool easy going stage presence. Their playing reminds me vaguely of Dervish, but they definitely have a sound of their own. Their CDs are fine but don't do justice to their live show. It would be worth walking the 10 miles.
Rich

Subject: RE: Danu
From: GUEST,Terry Blankenship
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 02:42 AM

Danu is an excellent traditional Irish band. Several years ago I was in Sligo visiting Dervish and I asked them who the best new traditional groups in Ireland were. They all answered Danu. They said they had a lot of energy.

I saw Danu a few months ago and they were really good. Well worth seeing. Very energetic and fun loving band. They are a really nice bunch of people also.

Terry

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Mudlark
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 02:48 AM

Thanks to everyone for input...went tonight to their concert and was knocked off my feet..what a great band...terrific musicianship all round, the bazouki player adds a piquant mando-ish sound, the drummer is spectacular, but then, so is just about everybody. Lots of well directed energy and great stage presence, very laid back and relaxed...and funny...and the singer is indeed wonderful. Well worth the price of admission, was just sorry I couldn't afford a CD as well....

I was grinnng like a cheshire cat the whole time they were playing....more smiles than I've had in a while and for that I'm so grateful....ain't music grand????

Nancy

Subject: RE: Danu
From: GUEST,Margaret V at work
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 09:48 AM

Glad to hear it was a good show, Nancy! I'm hoping I can see them when they're in New York this summer. Yup, music is indeed grand... Margaret

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 03:42 PM

Well now we know where Mudlark is, I'm wondering about George Seto - Halifax Nova Scotia, or the Halifax that's close to Southowram (where I used to live)?

Subject: RE: Danu
From: beachcomber
Date: 01 Jul 01 - 04:12 PM

Yes Danu are a very fine young band and many of them are neighbours of mine (One , in fact, is a cousin so I'm probably biased toward them). Young Ciarain (Can't do the accents.. sorry) is a very decent and well mannered lad who must have one of the really great voices of his style, nowadays. The others , including cousin Donnacadh, are all lovely fellows who so obviously enjoy what they do on stage. I believe that they were selected as best new Traditional Band a few years ago when first starting out. The fact is ,BTW, that this country is now awash with excellent young traditional musicians, thanks mainly, I believe, to the effoprts of Cheoltas Cheoilteoiri Eireann in organising its branches all around and arranging music classes , even in the smallest county parish halls etc.

Subject: RE: Danu
From: GUEST,Angun
Date: 01 Jul 01 - 05:36 PM

They were also selected as Best Live act last year! Have heard them a couple of times, and I'm looking forward to their new CD!

Beachcomber, I agree with you. Ciarán is a great singer!Are you from Ring, by the way? I'll probably be there next week. Beautiful place!

Angun

Subject: RE: Danu
From:
Date: 01 Jul 01 - 11:56 PM

I'm in Halifax Nova Scotia.

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 08:47 AM

Bob Conroy and I are doing a concert with Danu at the Sidmouth International Festival in England on August 6th. I'll give you a full report afterwards.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Ruthie A
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 05:08 PM

Danu MOSH! They're well worth dancing around the house to, as those unfortunate enough to live with me have observed by now. Go and see them, or I'll never forgive you and the Concert Pixies will visit you in the middle of the night and run off with your left leg. Twice. Tee hee hee

Ruthie

Subject: RE: Danu
From: beachcomber
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 05:19 PM

Hello Angun, Not exactly from Ring, but if you are in Mooney's Pub ask for Tommy Mooney, I'm a cousin of Donnachadh Gough whose mom owns the place, I may very well be there on Sat night next. Hope Dan Milner can find time to say hello from me to Donnachadh, I hav'nt seen him since last Christmas, He is away , obviously , quite a lot with Danu. The last time I met Ciarain was in Liam Clancy's Studio where he was recording for a community project with many others from Ring. The CD was excellent, don't know where it would still be available. His little sister also sings beautifully on it, as does Ann Mulqueen and a sister of the late Nicholas Tobin name of Mrs Eileen de Paor. The CD is titled "Cois Mara thoir sa Rinn" and has 28 splendid tracks

Subject: RE: Danu
From: GUEST,Angun
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 06:33 PM

Beachcomber, I don't know if I'll be there this Saturday or next, we're having a little problem with the plans at the moment. But when we go, I'm sure we'll go to Mooney's. (Met Donnchadh's mom last year, by the way) I agree, the CD is exellent! Lots of beautiful songs (and tunes)and great singers! Think it's still available. (Maybe at Open Ear Productions?)

Angun

Subject: RE: Danu
From: GUEST,Don't miss them
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 06:58 PM

They are great. Saw then at the ECMA's in Charlottetown PEI in February. Had a chance to meet them on the plane from the event, a great group of young guys very talented hard working and sure proof that hard work will pay off in time.

Subject: RE: Danu
From: Mudlark
Date: 03 Jul 01 - 12:37 PM

Reading thru this thread is like seeing them all over again. I agree with Ruthie...impossible to sit still while they are playing...they could make a one-legged Pixie dance around. I'm saving up for a CD...

And it doubles the pleasure to know that they are as great a group in spirit, as well as in song, as they seem. Well done, Danu!