1985's Macalla is one of Clannad's strongest albums. The songs are mainly mid-tempo or slower, and combine the poignant beauty of Irish balladry with the immediacy of a rock band line-up. Traditional Irish instruments come and go, along with touches of sax and on "In a Lifetime," soulful guest vocals by fellow Irishman Bono, of U2. Macalla is a well-rounded album of melodic folk pop, infused with that beautiful warm sadness that seems to pervade Irish music and culture. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide
Tracks
Track Title
Composers
Performers
Time
Caislean Oir
Máire Brennan, Ciaran Brennan, Paul Brennan, Noel Duggan, Pat Duggan
Noel Duggan (Ensemble), Pat Duggan (Vocals), Kevin Maloney (Engineer), James Delaney (Synthesizer), John Grimes (Assistant Engineer), Pat Duggan (Mandolin), James Delaney (?), James Delaney (Keyboards), Paul Brennan (Guitar), Bono (?), Ciaran Brennan (Vocals), Steve Nye (Producer), Máire Brennan (Vocals), Paul Brennan (Flute), Bono (Vocals), Martin Pearson (Engineer), Ciaran Brennan (Bass), Ciaran Brennan (Guitar), Ciaran Brennan (Keyboards), Pat Duggan (Guitar), Kevin Metcalfe (Mastering), Paul Brennan (Ensemble), Noel Duggan (Vocals), Anton Drennan (Guitar), Paul Moran (Drums), Louis Austin (Engineer), Máire Brennan (Harp), Ron Kurz (Engineer), Paul Brennan (Vocals), Paul Brennan (Percussion), Ciaran Brennan (Ensemble), Máire Brennan (Ensemble), Jill Furmanovsky (Photography), Danny Cummings (Percussion), Mel Collins (Saxophone), Anton Corbijn (Photography), Steve Nye (Keyboards), Anton Drennan (Guitar (Electric)), Noel Duggan (Guitar)
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 Gaelic for "echo". Two of its songs are sung entirely in Gaelic: "Caisleán Óir", which translates as "golden castle," and "Buachaill Ón Éirne", which means "boy from the Erne."
