‘Chronicles: 60 Years Of The Chieftains’ Anthology Set For Release

In anticipation of their 60th anniversary next year, The Chieftains will release Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains on November 12, 2021 through Claddagh Records. The project, which has been in production for the last twelve months, was postponed indefinitely 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 will continue exactly as Paddy wished with the original artwork, track list, liner notes and footage unchanged.

The Moloney Family said in a statement: “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 release of Chronicles marks the first time ever a complete career retrospective from The Chieftains has been released and includes tracks from across the revered 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—founder and leader Paddy Moloney (Uilleann pipes, tin whistle), Matt Molloy (flute), and Kevin Conneff (bodhrán, vocals)—have popularized traditional Irish music world-wide during their astonishing 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.

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

As well as the selected audio recordings, Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains also includes the addition of a bonus DVD that allows us to experience 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 Chieftains’ legacy is immense. They have changed the face of Irish music to such an extent that in Irish traditional music circles reference is made to a time ‘before The Chieftains’ and a time ‘after The Chieftains’. It is nothing short of extraordinary that together as a band they have maintained such a high consistency over six decades of playing. Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains is a fine tribute to a remarkable group of musicians.

Pre-order Chronicles: 60 Years Of The Chieftains, out on November 12.

Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains contains the following tracks:

CD1:
“Away We Go Again”
“The Rocky Road To Dublin” (with The Rolling Stones)
“The Morning Dew – Live At Massey Hall, Toronto Canada / 1976
“Brian Boru’s March”
“Carolina Rua / Reel – The Ladies Pantalettes” (with Imelda May)
“Round The House And Mind The Dresser”
“O’Sullivan’s March”
“Danny Boy” (with Diana Krall)
“The McCarthy Theme / The Wandering” (with The RTÉ Concert Orchestra)
“Down In The Willow Garden” (with Bon Iver)
“No. 6 The Coombe”
“The Timpán Reel”
“Drowsy Maggie”
“Molly Bán (Bawn)” (with Alison Krauss)
“O’Neill’s March” – Live At Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada / 1976
“The Wind That Shakes The Barley” – BBC Live Session / Live At The Cambridge Folk Festival, UK / 1981
“Tom Billy’s / The Road To Lisdoonvarna / The Merry Sisters (Reels)”
“The Boyne Hunt / The Mullingar Races / The Five-Mile Chase (Reels)”
“Hard Times Come Again No More” (with Paolo Nutini)

CD2:
“The Foggy Dew””
Mná Na hÉireann”
“My Lagan Love2
“Carolan’s Welcome”
“The Long Black Veil” (with Mick Jagger)
“Boil the Breakfast Early” – BBC Live Session From The Cambridge Folk Festival, 1981
“Star Of The County Down” – Live At The Menagerie, Belfast, Ireland / 1999
“Carolan’s Concerto” – Live At Massey Hall, Toronto, 1976
“Ceol Bhriotánach”
“China To Hong Kong” – Live In China
“Tabhair Dom Do Lámh” – BBC Live Session From The Royal Albert Hall, 1975
“Carrickfergus” – Live At Symphony Hall, Boston, 1976
“Scéal Na gCapall”
“The French March”
“Lullaby for the Dead”
“An Comhra Donn / Murphy’s Hornpipe (Hornpipes)”
“An Faire”
“The Humours Of Ballyconnell / Bean An Fhir Rua / Cherish The Ladies” – BBC Live Session From The Royal Albert Hall, 1975
“The Chattering Magpie”
“Country Blues”
“Cotton-Eyed Joe”

DVD:
“The Morning Dew” – Live On ‘The Late Late Show – Irish Music Special’, 1972, RTÉ
“Hewlett” – BBC Live Session From ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’, 1976
“Mná Na hÉireann” – BBC Live Session From ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’, 1976
“Kerry Slides” – BBC Live Session From ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’, 1976
“Miss McDermott / Blind Mary / Planxty Drury” – BBC Live Session From The Golder’s Green Hippodrome, 1977
“The Chattering Magpie” – Live On ‘Meet The Chieftains’, 1976, RTÉ
“An Mhaighdean Mhara / Green Grow The Rushes O” – Live On ‘Meet The Chieftains’, 1976, RTÉ
“George Brabazon” – Live On ‘Meet The Chieftains’, 1976, RTÉ
“Round The House And Mind The Dresser” – Live On ‘Meet The Chieftains’, 1976, RTÉ
“Caitlín Triall / The East Clare Reel / Carolan’s Farewell To Music / Banish Misfortune / The Dublin Reel / The Steampacket Reel / The Star Of Munster / The Flogging Reel” – Live On ‘Meet The Chieftains’, 1976, RTÉ
“Lord Inchiquin” – Live At Knappogue Castle, 1977, RTÉ
“An Buachaill Caol Dubh” – Live At Knappogue Castle, 1977, RTÉ
“Limerick Rake” – Live At Knappogue Castle, 1977, RTÉ
“If I Had Maggie In The Wood” – Live At The Cork Opera House, 1978, RTÉ
“Sea Image” – Live On ‘The Music Show’, 1983, RTÉ
“Here’s A Health To The Company” – Live At The National Stadium, 1985, RTÉ
“The May Morning Dew” – Live At The Hollywood Heritage Centre, Co. Wicklow, 1999
“An Poc Ar Buile” – Live at Teach Siamsa, Dingle, 1999
“Give Me Your Hand / The Trip To Durrow / Flogging Reel” – Live At Montreux / 1997
“Did You Ever Go A Courtin’ Uncle Joe” – Live At Montreux / 1997