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Altan
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Del Bromham
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Stringy Bark McDowell
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OX - Mark Browning
The Ian Parker band
Ann Peebles
Dan Phelps
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Reconsider
Redeye Band
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Chris Smither
Sinnerboy
The Amazing Mr Smith
Show Of Hands
Ian Siegal
Dave Specter
Bill Thomas
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Mo Thomas
Guy Tortora
Robin Trower
The Tubes
Dick Wardell
Helen Watson
Andy White

Altan

Altan in Park No Irish traditional band in the last dozen years has had a wider impact on audiences and music lovers throughout the world than Altan. With their exquisitely produced award-winning recordings and dynamic live performances, Altan have moved audiences from Donegal to Tokyo to Seattle.

Founded in the early eighties by Belfast flute-player Frankie Kennedy and Gweedore singer and fiddler, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, they delivered a combination of old Donegal fiddle music and unusual Northern Irish flute tunes with a force and fullness that made it hard to believe there were only two people playing. It quickly became clear to them and others that they could go places.

In 1984 Frankie and Mairead turned professional, making trips to the United States to play concerts in New York, Minnesota, Madison, Portland and Seattle with Derry guitarist, Daithi Sproule, a Minnesota resident and, like Ciaran and Mark, an old friend. Daithi had played a big part in an earlier wave of development in the music, being one of the very first people to adapt the guitar to old Gaelic songs, and in 1986, Daithi joined Frankie Kennedy & Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh duo when they grew into Altan. Although the band had a totally unique repertoire, they undoubtedly drew inspiration from other great Irish bands such as the Bothy Band, Planxy and De Danann.

In succeeding years, the band recorded albums for Green Linnet, all of which won accolades and awards and appeared in the Billboard charts - their collaborators on these albums were of the highest calibre including Donal Lunny, Brian Masterson and Steve Cooney. Master fiddler Paul O'Shaughnessey,in particular made great contributions over the years, and the two-fiddle sound stuck, but when Altan toured more and more widely, Paul had to leave due to pressure of work, his place was taken by another great young Donegal fiddler, Ciaran Tourish.

Altan other members are the fine bouzouki-player Ciaran Curran from Co. Fermanagh. Ciaran has invented his own style on the instrument, and his playing lies at the heart of the Altan sound.

Guitarist Mark Kelly shows a gift for tastefully bringing fresh rhythms and chordings to the band arrangements. Mark and Ciaran were heard on the '87 album "Altan", which inaugurates the band's studio sound.

The final element was added to the sound in the early nineties - accordion-player Dermot Byrne, another Donegal man weaned on the music of an older generation of Donegal fiddlers. Dermot's status as a complete virtuoso had been secure for many years before he joined the band.

In 1991 Altan was dealt a devastating blow, when band leader and manager, Frankie Kennedy was diagnosed with cancer. Through a long illness, the band continued to tour and perform with Frankie's participation whenever possible. Although Frankie passed away in 1994 he continues to be a presence and inspiration in Altan's life and music.

Altan's international status and success found a very practical recognition when they were signed in 1996 to Virgin Records, the first Irish band of their kind to be signed by a major label. The band gained gold and platinum albums in Ireland and toured larger venues, literally thoughout the world, with tours in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Europe as well as regular successful U.S. tours.

The 2006 Altan tour marks Altan's 20th anniversary - and also marks Altan's return to South Parade Pier in Southsea, where they played the very first Barking Spider gig in 2000! Further information on Altan can be found on the band's excellent website, http://www.altan.ie/

ALTAN appear at South Parade Pier in Southsea on Sunday May 15th 2006. Doors open 8 p.m.


If you would like to contact Barking Spider, please email J.R. at spiderpromos@aol.com
or ring the
Barking Spider Hotline on: 023 9243 6267

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