Island Angel Explained

Island Angel is the fourth studio album by Altan, released in 1993 on the Green Linnet label. In 1995, Q included Island Angel in its publication "In Our Lifetime: Q's 100 Best Albums 1986–94", a list compiled to celebrate its 100th issue.^[1] It was also the final album to feature founding member Frankie Kennedy who died a year after its release.

Track listing

All arrangements are by Altan.

1. "Tommy Peoples/The Windmill/Fintan McManus's" – 3:14
2. "Bríd Óg Ní Mháille" – 5:00
3. "Fermanagh Highland/Donegal Highland/John Doherty's/King George IV" – 4:06
4. "An Mhaighdean Mhara" – 2:52
5. "Andy de Jarlis/Ingonish/Mrs. McGhee" – 3:34
6. "Humours of Andytown/Kylebrack Rambler/The Gladstone" – 3:15
7. "Dúlamán" – 3:42
8. "Mazurka" – 2:42
9. "The Jug of Punch" – 3:29
10. "Glory Reel/The Heathery Cruach" – 2:54
11. "An Cailín Gaelach" – 3:24
12. "Drumnagarry/Pirrie Wirrie/Big John's" – 3:29
13. "Aingeal an Oileáin (Island Angel)" – 3:40

All titles are traditional except the following:

• "The Windmill Reel" – composed by Ciaran Tourish
• "Angeal An Oileáin/Island Angel" – composed by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
• "Humours of Andytown" – composed by Frankie Kennedy
• "Fintan McManus's Reel" – composed by Fintan McManus
• "The Kylebrack Rambler" – composed by Finbar Dwyer
• "Andy de Jarlis/Ingonish/Mrs. McGhee" – composed by Mike McDougall

See tune identifications for this album at irishtune.info.

Personnel

Altan

• Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh – Fiddle, vocals
• Frankie Kennedy – Flute, low whistle, vocals (backing)
• Ciaran Tourish – Fiddle, whistle, vocals (backing)
• Ciarán Curran – Bouzouki, bouzouki-guitar
• Mark Kelly – Guitar, vocals (backing)
• Dáithí Sproule – Guitar, vocals (backing)

Guest musicians

• Dermot Byrne – Accordion (tracks 1,6,8)
• Steve Cooney – Bass (tracks 7,9)
• Tommy Hayes – Percussion (tracks 7,9,10,12)
• Dónal Lunny – Bodhrán, keyboards, bouzouki (tracks 1,2,4,7,9,13)
• Neil Martin – Cello (track 2)
• Anna Ní Mhaonaigh – Vocals (backing) (track 7)

Production

• Brian Masterson and Altan – Producer
• Brian Masterson – Engineer
• Alister McMillan – Assistant Engineer
• Colm Henry – Photography
• Ross Wilson – Cover Image
• Brian Wittman/Wittman Design – Design

References

Notes

Notes and References

1. In Our Lifetime: Q's 100 Best Albums 1986–94. Q. London. January 1995. 100.