Planxty 💫

 

Trying to rank Planxty’s discography, The Beatles of Irish Trad. 

1 - Planxty 1973 - A perfect debut comprised of nearly  all standout tracks. Notable highlights: Christy Moore at his most prolific with the group: Raggle Taggle Gypsy, Sweet Thames Flow Softly, Follow Me Up To Carlow. Andy also shines, "The West Coast Of Clare", "The Jolly Beggar", "The Blacksmith." Some of the groups best tunes too: "Sí Bheag," "Sí Mhór," "Merrily Kissed The Quaker."

2 - The Well Below The Valley 1973 - A perfect sophomore album. Highlights include perhaps the most beautiful ballad of all time "As I Roved Out", "Pat Reilly", "Cúnla", Donal's vocal debut on "Bean Pháidín," "Hewlett", and the most haunting yet enchanting song you've ever heard "The Well Below The Valley" 

3 - After The Break 1979 - The time off, with so many prolific side projects in-between, really served Planxty well. The return is magic, and the addition of Matt Malloy really propels the group. If only "Bonny Light Horseman" was on the original release, this album might have made it to the number 2 spot for me. Highlights: My go to introductory track I show to new Plaxty listeners, "The Good Ship Kangaroo", "You Rambling Boys Of Pleasure", "The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes", and the Bulgarian 9/16 tune "Smeceno Horo" is such an epic closer. 

4 - The Woman I Loved So Well 1980 - For me, this record is carried by the opening and closing tracks by Christy Moore. "True Love Knows No Seasons" - Irish trad meets Western ballad and "Little Musgrave", a 12 minute epic that is one of the most beautiful pieces of music and poetry ever recorded. I could do with another 12 minutes of it. 

5 - Words and Music - 1982 - A strong epilogue to Ireland's greatest group. Highlights include Donal Lunny's production and use of synthesizers and electric pianos, "The Queen Of The Rushes", "Thousands Are Sailing", the progressive "Accidentals" into the gorgeous "Aragon Mill", and the victory lap celebration "The Irish Marche" to end it all. Just wish there were a little more Christy led songs on this one. 

6 - Cold Blow and the Rainy Night - It's a good sign for your band if this die hard's ranking puts an album like this at the bottom spot. Still a great record, but one that I find myself returning to the least. Even as I'm writing this I'm debating whether it should be in the number 5 spot. Nonetheless, highlights include Donal taking a central singing role, "Johnny Cope", the discography's closest singing / mixing of the three singers on "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night", "The Lakes Of Pontchartrain", the polkas, and "The Frost Is All Over".

Thanks to Cialan Scanlon 🍀