The Chieftains 10: Cotton-Eyed Joe
The Chieftains · 1981
36 min · 11 tracks · folk music
A vibrant tapestry of traditional Irish melodies intertwined with lively rhythms and spirited instrumental interplay.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Christmas Reel Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a festive tone with intricate arrangements that showcase the ensemble's virtuosity while honoring traditional melodies.
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Kiss Me Kate / The Custom Gap / The Spindle Shank / My Love Is in America — This medley exemplifies the band's ability to blend multiple tunes seamlessly, creating an engaging listening experience that highlights their skillful instrumentation.
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Durzhunel (The Turtle Dove) — This extended piece features haunting vocal harmonies and rich instrumental textures, demonstrating the emotional depth of Irish folk traditions.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey through traditions
- lively rhythms for social gatherings
- short tracks with vibrant energy
- for festive celebrations
Maybe skip if you
- seeking slow, introspective moments
- prefer standalone singles approach
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved for its vibrant traditional sound, popular among dedicated listeners.
- Themes
- Irish folk revival· festive gatherings· transatlantic connections
- Career context
- Released in 1981, The Chieftains 10: Cotton-Eyed Joe marked the group's continued evolution as leading ambassadors of Irish folk music following their breakthrough album, The Chieftains 7 in 1977. At this point, they had solidified their reputation by collaborating with diverse artists and exploring various musical traditions, enhancing their appeal beyond Irish borders.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Bothy Band· Altan· Lúnasa
Tracklist
- 1 The Christmas Reel Start here 2:55
- 2 Salut à la Compagnie 3:21
- 3 Kiss Me Kate / The Custom Gap / The Spindle Shank / My Love Is in America 4:04
- 4 Manx Music 3:42
- 5 Master Crowley’s Reels 1:35
- 6 The Pride of Pimlico 2:10
- 7 An Faire (The Gold Ring) 3:40
- 8 Durzhunel (The Turtle Dove) 6:50
- 9 Sir Arthur Shaen / Madam Cole 4:02
- 10 Garech’s Wedding 1:38
- 11 Cotton‐Eyed Joe 2:18
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Island Angel
Altan
Shares vibrant Irish melodies and lively rhythms, embodying the spirit of folk gatherings.
Otherworld
Lúnasa
Explores traditional Irish instrumentation with a modern twist, for festive atmospheres.
Old Hag You Have Killed Me
The Bothy Band
Captures the same spirited interplay of traditional Irish music with an energetic and dynamic approach.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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