The Blue Idol


The Blue Idol is the eighth studio album by County Donegal-based Irish traditional band Altan. It was released in February 2002 on the Narada label.

Overview and highlights

The Blue Idol features an outstanding variety of traditional tunes and songs sprinkled with pieces by other musicians in the genre, as well as several tunes composed and arranged by members of the band. A number of guest artists appear on the record, including American country singer Dolly Parton, who lends her iconic vocals to great effect on the English version of "An Cailín Deas Óg".
Famed uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn joins the band for "Roaring Water", a rousing, five-part jig that builds in its intensity, evoking a whitewater river before eventually spilling down a waterfall. Singer Paul Brady joins Máiread Ni Mhaonaigh on "Daily Growing", a tragic Scottish tale of a nobleman's 24-year-old daughter being married to a 12-year-old son of a fellow wealthy aristocrat; eventually, with his "daily growing", the two fall in love.
The album was mixed and engineered by nine-time Grammy Award-winner Gary Paczosa.

Critical reception

The Blue Idol received an enthusiastic review from Billboard, describing it as "a work of genius" and as "a triumph for Altan and a reminder of the endless charm of Irish music".

Track listing

  1. Daily Growing — 4:53
  2. Uncle Rat – 2:18
  3. Roaring Water – 3:15
  4. The Pretty Young Girl – 4:39
  5. The Blue Idol – 3:05
  6. The Trip to Cullenstown – 3:52
  7. Cuach Mo Lon Dubh Buí – 3:02
  8. Mother's Delight – 4:22
  9. The Low Highland – 3:39
  10. The Sea-Apprentice Boy – 3:50
  11. Sláinte Theilinn – 4:00
  12. An Cailín Deas Óg – 4:40
  13. Gweebarra Bridge – 3:45
Find additional information and and, with notation for much of the album transcribed and available at the latter.

Live performances

Altan has performed much of the album at various points throughout their years of touring, including:
  • "Uncle Rat"
  • "The Pretty Young Girl"
  • "The Blue Idol"
  • "An Cailín Deas Óg"
  • "Gweebarra Bridge".

Personnel

Altan

Guest musicians

Production

  • Gary Paczosa – Engineer
  • Alistair McMillan – Assistant engineer
  • Amelia Stein – Band photography
  • Shaughn McGrath/Four 5 One Design – Design