The Red Crow
Altan · 1990
45 min · 11 tracks · world music
Traditional Irish melodies intertwine with vibrant instrumentation, creating a rich tapestry of folk music that celebrates cultural heritage.
Top tracks — play these first
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Yellow Tinker / Lady Montgomery / The Merry Harriers — This opening medley sets the tone for the album, showcasing Altan's dynamic interplay between instruments and engaging rhythms that draw listeners into the world of traditional Irish music.
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The Flower of Magherally — This track highlights the band's ability to blend storytelling with melody, featuring evocative fiddle lines that embody the essence of Irish folklore.
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The Wedding Jig / Hiudaí Gallagher’s March / James Byrne’s / Mickey Doherty’s / Welcome Home Grainne — A lengthy arrangement that showcases intricate jigs, this track exemplifies Altan's skill in arranging traditional tunes while maintaining a lively spirit perfect for dancing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases traditional Irish music with vibrant instrumentation but lacks significant depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The running time is tightly packed with short tracks averaging around two to three minutes each, creating a brisk pace.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- spirited performances with rich storytelling
- steady melodic journey throughout
- celebratory tunes for gatherings
- vibrant energy for social settings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1990, The Red Crow was Altan's debut album, marking their entry into the traditional Irish music scene. At this point, the band had already gained regional recognition for their live performances but were yet to achieve international acclaim.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lúnasa· The Chieftains· Clannad
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Moll Dubh a’ Ghleanna
A poignant moment where the story shifts from nostalgia to regret, exploring themes of love and loss through vivid imagery of nature.
The shift in narrative perspective deepens emotional impact, contrasting joyous memories with a somber realization that enhances the song's poignancy.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Yellow Tinker / Lady Montgomery / The Merry Harriers 2:46
- 2 Con Cassidy’s / Dusty Millar 3:04
- 3 The Flower of Magherally 4:20
- 4 Brenda Stubbert’s / Breen’s / The Red Box 4:55
- 5 Inis Dhún Rámha 3:13
- 6 Jimmy Lyon’s / The Teelin / The Red Crow / The Broken Bridge 4:39
- 7 Moll Dubh a’ Ghleanna 3:29
- 8 The Wedding Jig / Hiudaí Gallagher’s March / James Byrne’s / Mickey Doherty’s / Welcome Home Grainne 6:43
- 9 Mallaí Chroch Shlí 3:51
- 10 Tommy Bhetty’s Waltz 5:01
- 11 The Emyvale / Ríl gan Ainm / The Three Merry Sisters of Fate 2:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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