Clannad
Album: Nadur
Label: Arc
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.clannad.ie

First up, a confession. This reviewer has loved Clannad and their music ever since his Dad came home with a vinyl copy of the 'Magical Ring' album. That disc included their break-through hit 'Theme From Harry's Game', the first song written in Gaelic to make the British charts. From there I discovered their soundtrack for Robin Of Sherwood, and then loved their smash hit 'In A Lifetime' (a duet with U2's Bono) and its attendant album, 'Macalla'. I first saw the band live in Harrogate on their 'Past Present' tour (astonishing), in Edinburgh on the 'Banba' tour (ethereal and amazing, but I missed the presence of Pol Brennan who had left the band by this point) and most recently in Leeds on their comeback tour earlier this year, where they were back to the full original line-up and absolutely incredible. My wife and I queued up like kids to get their autographs after the show - for the record, the band were as charming in person as they are supernaturally talented.

The recent shows displayed a pleasing emphasis on the traditional music with which they started their career (alongside the more synth-heavy hits). Clannad built the foundations of their worldwide reputation by literally saving obscure traditional songs, sourced from their native Donegal - songs that would have disappeared into the ether without the band's patronage and innovative arrangements. Interpreting these ancient songs fed into their own original material and in turn created a sound that is entirely unique and much-imitated.

'Nadur' (Gaelic for nature) is Clannad's 18th album and is a big part of their 40th anniversary celebrations. On first listen, all the Clannad hallmarks are in place - beautifully-recorded acoustic instruments, those uncanny, unmistakeable layered harmonies, synths that warmly underpin the sound or tinkle away behind the fragile, crystalline harp parts and a mixture of traditional and self-penned material. The opening track, 'Vellum', sets the scene with an urgent, syncopated rhythm guitar and crisp, unison vocals. The moody synth and the percussion tie the song together. The whole track is a master-class in restraint, as instruments and vocals are added one by one, leading to a big build… and then the bass and drums come in and the song comes to life - a perfect opener. 'Rhapsody na gCrann' is next, bringing in Gaelic lyrics early on in the proceedings and showcasing Moya Brennan's ageless vocals and Pol's haunting whistle, on a beautiful melody set to a shuffling, mandolin-fuelled backing.

'Trans Atlantic' follows, a true highlight of the album with music by Ciaran Brennan and Pol and lyrics by acclaimed Irish writer Colum McCann. The yearning lyrics match the achingly beautiful tune perfectly. Next, breath-taking traditional song 'Turas Dhomhsa chon na Galldachd' takes the listener right back to early classic albums like 'Dulaman', with its fierce, ancient melody and spine-tingling harmonies. As ever with Clannad, a twist is applied to give the traditional songs an unexpected edge - in this case the inclusion of Alan Bailey's keening bagpipes. Following this is a song that could and should be a 'hit' - 'Brave Enough'. Co-written by Pol Brennan and Tara Byrne, this powerful song is a duet between Moya and well-loved Irish singer Duke Special. The traditional instruments effortlessly frame the contemporary lyric and melody, to create a powerful and unique sound.

Clannad are a family band - with the Brennan siblings Moya, Pol and Ciaran working with their uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan - and it is brilliant to see that the writing and arranging of the songs on this album has been spread among all the band-members. Moya offers 'Lamh ar Lamh' (co-written with Pol), 'Tobar an tSaoil' and 'The Song in your Heart' (both co-written with her daughter Aisling Jarvis). The former is another beautiful instrumental piece for harp and whistle, reminiscent of O'Carolan (always the part in the live shows where tears are shed and men have to pretend they've got something in their eye). 'Tobar an tSaoil' is an up-tempo song with an effortlessly catchy chorus melody. Strangely, even though I can't speak Gaelic, it doesn't matter - the vocals are so soulful, you seem to catch the meaning and feeling behind them. This is an enviable trick that Clannad have pulled off effortlessly from the beginning. 'The Song in your Heart' is one of my favourite songs on the album, with a heart-rending lyric and a haunting tune.

Noel Duggan's song 'A Quiet Town' is lovely; a lighter - almost poppy - tune, with a lyric that seems to explore the history of a town on the coast of Ireland, built on those gorgeous harmonies and exquisite playing. Padraig Duggan's 'Setanta' has a tune that seems as time-less and ancient as any of the traditional songs in their repertoire, and an effortlessly bi-lingual lyric that juxtaposes Moya's ethereal singing with primal chanting.

Bassist Ciaran Brennan, as well as co-writing and co-arranging many songs on the album, also offers two purely self-penned songs; the undulating, Americana-flavoured 'The Fishing Blues' (a lament for the traditional fishing industry) and the haunting 'Hymn (To Her Love)' which features wonderful nylon-strung guitar from trad-music legend Steve Cooney.

The album closes with a return to the traditional in the form of 'Citi na gCumann', where many of those elements that make Clannad so special - Moya's voice, the understated but masterful musicianship and their genetic link to this ancient music - come together to send the listener straight back to the start to enjoy the album all over again.

'Nadur' is a wonderful record that continues to improve with each listen, as the lush arrangements take their time to reveal tiny details that delight and surprise. This is an album built with love and care. I heartily recommend this record, and if you can - get out to see Clannad live on their March UK tour with Mary Black… then get the live DVD from Christchurch Cathedral from 2012… then if you haven't already, head back into the back catalogue, starting with those earliest albums. A wealth of stunning music awaits you that will stay with you forever.

Nick B Hall