Sirius

Performer: Clannad
Artist: Bruce Hornsby; Steve Perry; J. D. Souther
Producer: Greg Ladanyi
Distributor: (Independently by Label)

Notes: Clannad: Maire Brennan, Ciaran Brennan, Pol Brennan, Noel Duggan, Padraig Duggan. Additional personnel: Bruce Hornsby (vocals, accordion, piano); J.D. Souther (vocals); Phillip Donnelly, Robbie Blunt (guitar); Pete Vetesse (flute, keyboards, bass); Tom Keane (Uilleann pipes); Richie Cannata, Mel Collins (saxophone); Wells Christie (Synclavier); Jai Winding (keyboards); Russ Kunkel (drums, percussion); Steve Perry (background vocals). Engineers: Paul Cobbold, Greg Ladanyi, Shep Lonsdale. Recorded at Woodtown Manor, Dublin, Ireland; Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales; Livingston and Angel Studios, London, England from April 25 to July 20, 1987. In 1982, Clannad made a shift from playing traditional Irish folk music to performing Irish-influenced pop music. This 1988 release is more upbeat and energetic than some of their other albums such as MACALLA (1985) and LORE (1995). Special guests, such as Bruce Hornsby (who sings on two tracks), Maire Brennan, and others alight in a series of dramatic compositions including "In Search of a Heart," "Second Nature," and "Something to Believe In." Clannad avoids overly sappy lyrics or melodramatic musical statements. Perhaps the most loved song on this album, "Skellig" is a song blending Irish mythology with poetic images of life's transience. Songwriter Ciaran Brennan takes us on a journey along the Kerry coastline on this tune, introducing us to the ruins of the Vikings and the holy relics of early Christian settlers. The superb lyric writing and catchy melodies make SIRIUS a veritable gem in the Irish pop music catalog.

Spin (6/88, p.74) - "...The effect can be gorgeous and at their best they make Stevie Nicks sound like a substitute math teacher..." Q (5/92, p.86) - 3 Stars - Good - "...successfully fuses ethereally Celtic folk with electronically generated ambience..."

Clannad began in 1970 as a traditional Irish folk group in the vein of Planxty or the Chieftans. The band eventually began incorporating a slicker, more atmospheric production aesthetic, evolving into creators of new age pop/Celtic soundscapes. They're as well known for their television and movie soundtracks as they are for their own albums. Both vocalist Maire Brennan and her sister Enya were able to use Clannad as a springboard for successful solo work.

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