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...the Legendary group,
once described as 'the Rolling Stones of Irish Traditional Music' are
touring again.
Founding members Alec Finn and Johnny 'Ringo' McDonagh will be joined by
luminaries of Irish music who have played with the band over the years.
De Danann were formed in 1975 in Galway and became one of the most
influential bands in traditional Irish music before going their separate
ways in 2003. The group released their debut album 'De Danann' in 1975
and in total have recorded 14 albums including 'Anthem', 'Star Spangled
Molly' and 'A Jacket of Batteries' and achieved chart success, with many
of the albums reaching gold and platinum status.
Famous for their cross cultural experiments they recorded traditional
Irish versions of The Beatles 'Hey Jude', Handel's 'The Arrival of the
Queen of Sheba' (which they called 'The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba to
Galway'!). They also recorded Jewish Klezmer music with Andy Statman and
made an album called 'Half Set in Harlem' featuring American Gospel
singing.
Members of the band have included singers Dolores Keane, Maura
O'Connell, Mary Black, Eleanor Shanley, Tommy Fleming and Andrew Murray.
On the instrumental side Alec Finn, Johnny 'Ringo' McDonagh, Jackie
Daly, Mairtin O'Connor, Aidan Coffey, Charlie Piggott, Frankie Gavin,
Colm Murphy, Derek Hickey, Mick Conneely, Brian McGrath, John Carty and
John Faulkner have all toured and recorded with De Danann. |
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