Altan is hailed as one of the best live bands for traditional Irish music. In 1983 Altan started as a duo consisting of a couple, the violinist-singer Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh and flutist Frankie Kennedy. Guitarist Mark Kelly soon joined them and the band gradually expanded. In the early 1990s, Altan was in top form and her popularity grew rapidly. A difficult period began when Kennedy was diagnosed
… with cancer and he died in 1994. A few years later Mairéad remarried to accordionist Dermot Byrne. They run a pub together in the small village of Teelin, Donegal and recently had a baby. Local Ground is Altan's tenth studio album. Besides Mairéad, Mark and Dermot, the current band consists of Ciaran Tourish (violin), Ciaran Curran (bouzouki, mandolin) and Dáithí Sproule (guitar). Guest musicians include flutist-bagpipe player Carlos Nuñez, bodhrán master Jim Higgins and bassist Stephen Cooney. The beautiful ethereal voice of Mairéad comes into its own beautifully in quiet ballads, which are interspersed with lively jigs and reels. In addition, Altan still sounds as enthusiastic and fresh as before. (SvdP)more
