Macalla
Encyclopedia
Macalla is a 1985 musical album by Irish folk group Clannad
. It is their ninth album and became prominent with a collaboration between Clannad's singer Moya Brennan
and U2
vocalist Bono
on the enchanting duet In a Lifetime. Furthermore, it featured some internationally renowned artists such as art rock saxophone player Mel Collins
, an ex-King Crimson
member and famous for his solo on The Rolling Stones
' "Miss You", and Anton Corbijn
's photography.
The album's title is Irish
for "echo". Two of its songs are sung entirely in Irish: "Caisleán Óir", which translates as "golden castle", and "Buachaill Ón Éirne", which means "boy from the Erne
".
Clannad
Clannad are an Irish musical group, from Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk and folk rock, Irish, Celtic and New Age, often incorporating elements of an even broader spectrum of smooth jazz and Gregorian chant...
. It is their ninth album and became prominent with a collaboration between Clannad's singer Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
and U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
vocalist Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
on the enchanting duet In a Lifetime. Furthermore, it featured some internationally renowned artists such as art rock saxophone player Mel Collins
Mel Collins
Mel Collins is a British saxophonist and flautist and session musician.He has worked in a wide variety of contexts ranging from R&B and blues rock to jazz, but is perhaps known for his work in progressive rock, as with King Crimson, Camel and the Alan Parsons Project.-Career:Collins has worked...
, an ex-King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
member and famous for his solo on The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' "Miss You", and Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn is a Dutch photographer, music video and film director. He is the creative director behind the visual output of Depeche Mode and U2, having handled the principal promotion and sleeve photography for both for more than a decade...
's photography.
The album's title is Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
for "echo". Two of its songs are sung entirely in Irish: "Caisleán Óir", which translates as "golden castle", and "Buachaill Ón Éirne", which means "boy from the Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
".
Track listing
- "Caisleán Óir" (Ciarán Brennan, Máire Brennan) – 2:06
- "The Wild Cry" (Pól Brennan) – 4:41
- "Closer to Your HeartCloser to Your Heart"Closer to Your Heart" is a song by Irish folk rock group Clannad. It was Clannad's first single that was solely considered as pop music.The video for the single was shot at the Ponderosa venue on Glenshane Pass near Derry....
" (C. Brennan) – 3:29 - "In a LifetimeIn a LifetimeIn 1989, to promote Clannad's 'best-of' compilation, "Pastpresent", "In A lifetime" was re-released. The song was the first single from the compilation...
" (a duet with BonoBonoPaul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
) (C. Brennan, P. Brennan) – 3:08 - "Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)"Almost Seems " is a 1985 single by Irish group Clannad. It is the second single from their album Macalla.The song was used as the official Children in Need charity single for 1985. On its release it was tipped by bookmakers as one of the favourites for the Christmas Number One...
" (P. Brennan) – 4:51 - "Indoor" (P. Brennan) – 3:53
- "Buachaill Ón Éirne" (Traditional) – 3:08
- "Blackstairs" (P. Brennan) – 4:15
- "Journey's End" (Noel Duggan, Pádraig Duggan) – 2:42
- "Northern Skyline" (C. Brennan, P. Brennan) – 4:58
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S Billboard Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
131 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
33 |
Singles
- "In a LifetimeIn a LifetimeIn 1989, to promote Clannad's 'best-of' compilation, "Pastpresent", "In A lifetime" was re-released. The song was the first single from the compilation...
" - "Closer to Your HeartCloser to Your Heart"Closer to Your Heart" is a song by Irish folk rock group Clannad. It was Clannad's first single that was solely considered as pop music.The video for the single was shot at the Ponderosa venue on Glenshane Pass near Derry....
" - "Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn)"Almost Seems " is a 1985 single by Irish group Clannad. It is the second single from their album Macalla.The song was used as the official Children in Need charity single for 1985. On its release it was tipped by bookmakers as one of the favourites for the Christmas Number One...
"
Band
- Ciarán Ó BraonáinCiarán BrennanCiarán Brennan is an Irish singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist from Gweedore, Co Donegal...
– bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals - Máire Ní BhronáinMoya BrennanMoya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
– vocals, harp - Pól Ó BraonáinPól BrennanPól Brennan is an Irish singer, songwriter and producer. He is the brother of Enya and Moya Brennan. He is a member of the family band Clannad, and co-wrote the hit song "Theme from Harry's Game". He left the group in 1990, but rejoined in 2011...
– flute, guitar, percussion, vocals - Noel Ó DúgáinNoel DugganSee also Pádraig Duggan and The DuggansNoel Duggan is an Irish musician best known for being a member of the folk group Clannad, along with his twin brother Pádraig....
– guitar, vocals - Pádraig Ó DúgáinPádraig DugganPádraig Duggan is an Irish musician best known for being a member of the folk group Clannad, along with his twin brother Noel....
– guitar, mandolin, vocals
Additional Musicians
- BonoBonoPaul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
– vocals - Mel CollinsMel CollinsMel Collins is a British saxophonist and flautist and session musician.He has worked in a wide variety of contexts ranging from R&B and blues rock to jazz, but is perhaps known for his work in progressive rock, as with King Crimson, Camel and the Alan Parsons Project.-Career:Collins has worked...
– saxophone - Danny Cummings – percussion
- James Delaney – keyboards, synthesizer
- Anto Drennan – guitar, electric guitar
- Paul Moran – drums
- Steve NyeSteve NyeSteve Nye is a music producer for several artists. Some of his better known artists include Bryan Ferry , Penguin Cafe Orchestra, XTC , Japan , David Sylvian , Clannad, TM Network, Scary Thieves , as...
– keyboards
Production
- Steve Nye – producer
- Louis Austin – engineer
- Justin Birt – assistant engineer
- Ron Kurz – engineer
- Martin Pearson – assistant engineer
- Kevin Maloney – engineer
- John Grimes – assistant engineer
- Kevin Metcalfe – mastering
- Anton Corbjin – photography
- Jill FurmanovskyJill FurmanovskyJill Furmanovsky is a rock photographer born in Zimbabwe.Furmanovsky emigrated with her parents and brother Michael to London in 1965. She studied textile and graphic design at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design from 1972 to 1974...
– photography
Additional information
- Engineered by Martin Pearson and Ron Kurz (Power Play Studio)
- Engineered by Louis Austin (Ridge Farm Studio), Assistant engineer - Justin Birt
- Engineered by Kevin Maloney (Mindmill Lane Studio), Assistant engineer - John Grimes
- Mixed at Windmill Lane Studio
- Mastered at Townhouse Studios by Kevin Metcalfe
- Sleeve direction by Mainartery
- Photography - Jill Furmanovsky
- Clannad photography by Anton Corbijn