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The Chieftains Release ‘Chronicles: 60 Years of The Chieftains’

November 5, 2021

With the blessing of the Moloney Family, The Chieftains and Claddagh Records release a complete career retrospective, featuring over 60 audio and visual tracks from the world’s most celebrated traditional Irish band.

 “Over the last few months Paddy was instrumental in putting the Chronicles project together – whether it was choosing versions of a recording to include, working on the track list, or approving the artwork – he really enjoyed being involved and it meant so much to him seeing this come together on Claddagh Records, The Chieftains first ever record label, and one which Paddy ran for several years, producing much of its catalogue. We are so happy that he got to see the final version. The album is a fitting tribute to Paddy and The Chieftains.” The Moloney Family and The Chieftains.

In advance of their 60th anniversary next year, The Chieftains will release Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains on November 12th, 2021 on the Claddagh Records label. The project, which has been in production for the last twelve months, was postponed following the untimely death of Paddy Moloney, the group’s founder and leader, in October. However, following consultation with Paddy’s family and the remaining members of The Chieftains, the project has been completed as Paddy wished with the original artwork, track list, liner notes and footage.

The release marks the first time ever a complete career retrospective from The Chieftains has been released and includes tracks from across the band’s discography – from their very first album release Chieftains 1 right up to their most recent studio album release Voice of Ages – and includes seminal collaborations with The Rolling Stones, Paulo Nutini, Diana Krall, Alison Krauss, Van Morrison and Sinéad O’Connor. It also includes previously unreleased recordings from Live at The Royal Albert Hall, Live at The Cambridge Folk Festival as well as footage and recordings from the BBC and RTÉ archives. Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains will be available across multiple formats including 2CD, 2CD/DVD, 2LP, 3LP (Ireland only), Digital Standard and Digital Deluxe.

Founded in 1962, winners of six GRAMMY® Awards and an Academy® Award, The Chieftains have popularized traditional Irish music world-wide during their 60-year career. Their ability to transcend musical boundaries to blend tradition with modern music has notably hailed them as one of the most renowned and revered musical groups to this day.

Their repertoire was, and is, largely of Ireland. Well-established dance tunes such as Drowsy Maggie and The Chattering Magpie were given a new invigorating life by the group, not to mention eminent songs and airs that might be described as their signature tunes. Foremost among these must be Mná na hÉireann (The Women of Ireland) whose haunting melody, composed by Seán Ó Riada, continues to resonate and remain relevant in the twenty-first century. Their instrumental version was released in 1973 on the album The Chieftains 4 and their version of the song, based on the Irish of the eighteenth-century poet Peadar Ó Doirnín, features prominently on the sound- track to the film ‘Barry Lyndon’ released in 1975. Kate Bush, Mike Oldfield and Sinéad O’Connor are among the famous performers of the piece.

Their inspirational musicianship is reflected on tracks such as Brian Ború’s March from The Chieftains 2 and Carolan’s Welcome on The Chieftains 9 (Boil The Breakfast Early). Drawing from the vast well of Irish tradition, this ensemble blended old and new and remained totally committed to their genre.

In addition to the audio recordings, Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains also includes a bonus DVD that gives an insight to the visual history of the band. The performers’ hairstyles and fashions may have evolved down the years, but even now as they approach their 60th anniversary, that magical experience The Chieftains give their listeners, is as strong and as vibrant as ever.

The legacy of The Chieftains is immense as evident from this collection. Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains is a fitting tribute to a unique group of musicians.

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