Is Further Down the Old Plank Road a good place to start with The Chieftains?

Yes, Further Down the Old Plank Road is recommended as a starting point for new The Chieftains listeners. Traditional Irish folk blends seamlessly with American roots music, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling and melody. Released in 2003, Further Down the Old Plank Road marked The Chieftains' continued exploration of cross-cultural collaborations after their previous album, Live Over Ireland. This release followed a prolific period that included collaborations with various artists, cementing their status as ambassadors of Irish music worldwide.

Who is Further Down the Old Plank Road for?

Further Down the Old Plank Road works well if you're into steady pacing for reflective moments, celebratory tunes for gatherings and cultural storytelling through music.

How many songs are on Further Down the Old Plank Road?

Further Down the Old Plank Road has 16 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Further Down the Old Plank Road

The Chieftains · 2003

55 min · 16 tracks · folk music

Traditional Irish folk blends seamlessly with American roots music, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling and melody.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Raggle Taggle Gypsy Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel — This track exemplifies the fusion of Irish traditional sounds with American folk roots, featuring engaging instrumentation that highlights the band's versatility.
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Wild Mountain Thyme — A beautifully haunting rendition, this song showcases the emotive power of vocal harmonies paired with delicate instrumentation, capturing the essence of longing.
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Hick’s Farewell — This track stands out with its poignant storytelling and lush arrangement, reflecting the themes of loss and nostalgia prevalent throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends Irish and American folk traditions effectively but lacks a strong cohesive narrative across its length.

What we noticed

Many tracks include guest musicians, adding layers of instrumentation and vocal harmonies that enhance the storytelling aspect.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for reflective moments
celebratory tunes for gatherings
cultural storytelling through music
inviting sing-alongs with friends

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone tracks only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Explores cross-cultural collaborations, blending Irish and American folk music.
Themes: Irish-American fusion· nostalgic storytelling· cultural collaboration
Career context: Released in 2003, Further Down the Old Plank Road marked The Chieftains' continued exploration of cross-cultural collaborations after their previous album, Live Over Ireland. This release followed a prolific period that included collaborations with various artists, cementing their status as ambassadors of Irish music worldwide.
Stylistic neighbors: The Bothy Band· Altan· Lúnasa