Clannad Anam CD - Import

German version digitally remastered from the original tapes features one bonus remix.

1990's ANAM was by far Clannad's biggest-selling album in the United States for four reasons: 1) "world music" was starting to become recognized as its own musical category, and the Irish group's glossy take on traditional folk fit right in; 2) the album's leadoff single was "In A Lifetime," a pop-oriented duet between Maire Brennan and Bono; 3) this was the group's first album since the Brennan family's kid sister Enya had become an international superstar with 1988's WATERMARK; and 4) and most importantly, the haunting "Harry's Game" was used as the background music to a popular Volkswagen ad. But for those elements, ANAM is an entirely typical Clannad album, alternating between more traditional acoustic folk tunes and the near-ambient, electronics-based atmospherics that had begun infiltrating their music in the '80s. It's still the best starting point for the curious.

Deluxe edition, digitally remastered from the original tapes, reissue of 1990 album features 11 tracks including 1 bonus chill-out remix track, 'Ri Na Cruinne' (Lazyboy Mix). Includes 12-page booklet with new sleeve notes & rare photos. BMG. 2004.

Recorded at Woodtown Manor, Dublin, Ireland and Woolhall Studios, Beckington, England.

Producers: Richard Dodd, Steve Nye, Ciaran Brennan, Paul Ridout.

Clannad: Ciaran Brennan (vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer, acoustic & electric basses); Maire Brennan (vocals, harp); Padraig Duggan (acoustic guitar, harmonica, mandola); Noel Duggan (guitar).

Additional personnel: Anton Drennan (electric guitar, dobro); Mel Collins (saxophone); Vinnie Kilduff (wooden whistle); Ian Parker (keyboards); Paul Moran (drums, percussion); Bridin Brennan (background vocals).

Q (11/90) - 4 stars - Excellent - "...Clannad have created the perfect album for frazzled nerves..."
Musician (9/92, p.106) - "...only the most hard-hearted listeners will remain unconvinced..."
Audio Magazine (12/92, p.158) - "...a beautiful, ethereal collection...carries Gaelic mysticism beyond the ends of the Earth..."
NME (Magazine) - "Haunting, ethereal, evocative and then some."