Celtic Music: Planxty

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Ranked #3,296 in Music, #84,559 overall

The band and its members influenced modern Irish tradition

In 1972 Christy Moore, a vocalist who also plays acoustic guitar and bodhran, got together with Donal Lunny (bouzouki, guitar), Andy Irvine (vocals, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy, harmonica) and Liam O'Flynn (uilleann pipes, tin whistle) to record Moore's second album Prosperous, named for the village in which it was recorded. Following that, they decided to form Planxty. They were very well-received in Ireland and Europe, and all the members have had successful careers following their time with the band.

Planxty trademarks: new instruments and styles 

Planxty recorded seven albums between 1973 and 1983 before going their separate ways. They split up after their third album, after which The Planxty Collection was released. They came back together fairly quickly, although the lineup changed a bit. In 1973 Johnny Moynihan replaced Donal Lunny, and in 1974, Paul Brady replaced Christy Moore.

Moore, Lunny, Irvine and O'Flynn regrouped in 1979, and changes in the lineup included the addition of Matt Molloy from the Bothy Band who later worked with The Chieftains. In 1983, the band members split to pursue separate projects.

Fans of Irish music will no doubt recognize all of the original Planxty members and be aware of their influence on the Irish traditional music scene in the '70s and early '80s. Johnny Moynihan was the one who introduced the bouzouki to Irish music when he was with Sweeney's Men. The instrument was further popularized by both Lunny and Irvine while they were with Planxty (see the video below, where two bouzoukis are used). Irvine went on to influence Bill Whelan who later wrote "Riverdance," first as an eight-minute piece and later as the hugely successful stage show that introduced many people to Irish music and dance.

The group came back together for several concerts in Lisdoonvarna, Dublin and County Clare in 2004. A CD and DVD was released as a result of these concerts. (The DVD is available on amazon.co.uk in Region 2 format, which is not playable on most players sold in the US and Canada.)

Planxty on Amazon 

MP3 downloads, where indicated, are available in the United States only.

If you wish to order from Amazon.co.uk, please click on the appropriate text link in each CD's description. Clicking on the graphic or title of the CD links you to Amazon's US site.

Planxty

Released in 1973. CD released in 1989.
MP3: Planxty

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: Planxty

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

The Well Below the Valley

Released in 1973. CD released in 1990.
MP3: The Well Below The Valley

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: The Well Below the Valley

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Cold Blow and the Rainy Night

Released in 1974. CD released in 1989.
MP3: Cold Blow And The Rainy Night

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: Cold Blow and the Rainy Night

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

The Planxty Collection

Released in 1976. CD released in 1989.
MP3: The Planxty Collection

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: The Planxty Collection

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

After the Break

Released in 1979.

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: After the Break

Amazon Price: $42.99 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

More Planxty on Amazon 

Four albums and a book

The Woman I Loved So Well

Released in 1980.

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: The Woman I Loved So Well

Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Words & Music

Released in 1983. CD released in 1992.

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: Words and Music

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Live 2004

Released 2004.

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: Live 2004

Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Prosperous

This is the 1972 album, Christy Moore's second, that gave rise to Planxty.

Order CD from Amazon.co.uk: Prosperous

Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

The Humours of Planxty

Writer Leagues O'Toole is an unabashed fan of Planxty. He writes of the coming together of the musicians to record Moore's Prosperous, an album one Amazon reviewer claims is "the watershed album that gave Irish music its legs." The reviewer also credits O'Toole with getting the group back together for the shows in 2004.

Order the book from Amazon.co.uk: The Humours of "Planxty"

Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Planxty on YouTube 

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curated content from YouTube

Links for Celtic Music: Planxty 

Because the group broke up in 1983, they don't have the standard website one expects of a currently recording group. There is one for their 2004 releases.
Planxty 2004 website
This site also contains links to sites for the individual members. There's a good, concise press biography available as well.
Other Celtic music lenses by MobyD
A lens to help you find similar lenses I've made.
Planxty at HavePun-WillTravel.com
This lens recreated as a page on my website, with MP3 widgets to sample tunes from the page.
Planxty video showcase
The video showcase for Planxty features a six-part documentary, a three-part concert, and various other videos including some from their 2004 reunion.

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by MobyD

I'm very interested in Celtic music and have created a series of lenses about performers. See Celtic Music: Lenses (named Lens of the Day on March 16,... (more)

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