Rogha: The Best of Clannad (CD - 1997)

Clannad: Maire Brennan (vocals, harp); Eithne "Enya" Brennan (vocals, keyboards); Padraig Duggan (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, background vocals); Pol Brennan (guitar, flute, tin whistle, keyboards, background vocals); Ciaran Brennan (guitar, keyboards, bass, background vocals); Neel Duggan (guitar, background vocals).

Additional personnel includes: Bruce Hornsby (vocals, accordion, piano); Bono (vocals).

Producers include: Richard Dodd, Steve Nye, Tony Clarke, Russ Kunkel.

Engineers include: Richard Dodd, Austin Ince, Paul Cobbold, Paul Thomas.

Compilation producer: Ian Kimmet.

Includes liner notes by Ian Kimmet.

Digitally remastered by Dennis Ferrante.

Personnel: Bruce Hornsby (vocals, accordion, piano).

This RCA best of collection features many of the songs that made Clannad one of the most popular contemporary Irish groups. Clannad's innovative, often progressive folk style is a beautiful, atmospheric blend of traditional Celtic material with a jazz sensibility.

Thematically, many of Clannad's songs are based on Irish lore, many of their compositions deriving from the rich musical traditions of Donegal. Together with modern vocal harmonies and acoustic instruments, synthesizers, and a rock rhythm section, the band's overall sound, as evidenced in songs such as "Ancient Forest," "The Fairy Queen," and "Closer to Your Heart" is haunting, ethereal, and altogether dreamlike. Pol O Braonain's beautiful piece, "Theme From Harry's Game," shows just how brilliant Clannad can be when all their influences merge together just right. minimize