Turns out other people do lists too. The Irish Times are just trying to wind me up with this one though, aren’t they?* No Horslips? No Rory? No Them? No Chieftains? ( I know they describe it as contemporary music, but Planxty made it so I think the Chieftains could). Moondance chosen ahead of any of half a dozen better Van albums. Astral Weeks just at 11, with some record I’ve never heard of at Number One?
Any other views?
* rhetorical question – I know that the point of these things is precisely to annoy everyone.
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/50-best-irish-albums-of-all-time-in-order-1.4295696
As with most lists, much obvious, a couple you’re pleasantly surprised to see there and lots of awful rubbish.
Perhaps a bit harsh a reflection on Irish music that the number one is a record that they “plumbed for” rather than plumping for it..
They’re just trying to annoy you, Bluemeister. And me too – I loathe ‘Moondance’ (the song).
You should watch An American Werewolf In London. The scene where they use Moondance may well change your mind about the song. As a result, I love it.
We were all thinking it – I was wondering who would be the first to say it…
Eh @colin-h no blooming Cactus World News.
That A House album is top though.
I got as far as number fifty and gave up. I am fifty six.
Not sure what you have against Moondance (think we may have debated this before), it is a truly wonderful record (especially the “perfect” side 1), it can be debated whether it is his second best or not, but it is probably his most well known long player, and always can be found in such lists.
Not to get too political , but Van once said that he wasn’t Irish, he was British. May have changed his tune on that, I don’t know.
He’s from working class East Belfast Protestant stock so is likely to consider himself Northern Irish, but a British rather than an Irish citizen. But his whole body of work is infused with Irishness – Celtic mysticism, Northern and Southern Irish landscapes, and childhood memories. And, of course, in his wonderful record with the Chieftains, Irish Folk song.
Agreed – And let’s not forget Veedon Fleece – the most Irish – and my favourite – of all his albums.
FWIW saw Van do a wonderfully intimate little gig at Dubln’s Olympia theatre when Lit Up Inside came out. After a Q and A session with Ian Rankin, he came out with his band and played about an hour of heavily Irish infused songs. Only time I have seen a better Van gig was at the Dominion in March 82 or 83.
Ah yes, that thorny old question in any “Best Nation X Albums” list of which should and should not qualify is even more messy when “Irish” is the variable, what with all the cross ferry traffic and cultural divisions. Clearly The Pogues aren’t an Irish band. But place of birth criteria also rule out Phil Lynott and 50% of U2. Hmmmm. But Ver Pogues sing about the broad majestic Shannon and the Birmingham Six! Well then, is Don’t Stand Me Down an Irish album?
Is the best policy to include everyone with a bit of green? Come on down Dusty In Memphis! I’ve seen Fisherman’s Blues appear at the higher end of previous similar lists. It would be a minefield if the field wasn’t a bog..
I agree. Just quoting what Van said, but he may have just been in a mood (happens occasionally I believe) and the journalist had possibly annoyed him by lumping him in the “Irish” category.
Saw this list last week and just couldn’t believe how bad it was. While I’m not a huge Rory G fan, I’ve seen Tony Palmer’s Irish Tour 74 film and how the album of that tour isn’t on the list beggars belief, Also amazed that while Fatima Mansions scored creditably high there was no Microdisney – Clock or Crooked are both exceptional – and no Veedon Fleece
No “Irish Tour 74”? Someone needs to brush up on their history.
Yeah – and “Rory Gallagher Live in Europe” as well.
Two perfect live albums.
I can never decide which one I like more. They’re both white hot and utterly thrilling.
Both staggering but Tour just aces it for me as it is a bit more expansive. That version of Million Miles Away and Walk on Hit Coals…phew. stunning even now.
Rory should be on the list if only for the fact that he regularly played the North at a time when bombs were going off on a regular basis and almost every other act was shit scared to even visit the place
This is a little bit of a myth – FEW international acts came, but not none. For instance, Lindisfarne, Wishbone Ash, Horslips, Ralph McTell…
Dr Feelgood, Eddie and The Hot Rods, The Stranglers, and The Clash also stood on stage at The Ulster Hall.
Also, Ulster Hall got the first listen to Stairway To Heaven when Led Zep rocked up in 71.
Rory should be on the list if only for the fact that he regularly played the North at a time when bombs were going off on a daily basis and almost every other act was shit scared to even visit the place
That’s what I meant by history. Many acts wouldn’t tour at all but Rory played everywhere and there was never any trouble.
I’m afraid that horrible piano sound (and the stodginess of the sound in general, with an extra instrument) mars the Irish Tour album for me – hence, the three-piece Live in Europe is the one… 🙂
Agree re the sound but that’s exactly what they sounded like when I saw them shortly after getting the album so it’s just fine with me!
No Kip of the Serenes, no Swaddling Songs, no Thin Lizzy debut, no Trader Horne (50% Irish)?
Are you George Bernard?
Seriously, though, if you’re Irish and you don’t have at least one of the Van-led Them albums (or even one of the U.S. non Van-led Them albums) in your Top 50, I hope your Guinness is poured in one fell swoop and isn’t given time to settle.
It’s the least you deserve.
The people who put this together get their knowledge of the seventies from books. Before that, for them is the time of the dinosaurs. They should have gone with their heart and – inspired by the mighty Afterword – done a 21st century list…
Or better still, not bothered at all.
Ooooh! I’d have to strongly disagree with you there, Mike.
I can see how those of us who devour specialised media like Q or Mojo or whatever get tired of the lazy regurgitation of lists, but if just a small per cent age of the civvies who peruse The Irish Times are prompted to investigate the likes of Kojaque’s Deli Dreams by this list (especially in this current “where’s me income gone?” period) then it’s been worth the ink, even if some of it was spilled on the p*ssing Cranberries..