In 1981
Planxty went electric ...
"
Moving Hearts is an Irish folk-rock band formed in 1981. They followed in the footsteps of
Horslips in combining Irish traditional music with rock and roll, and also added elements of jazz to their sound.
The group was formed in 1981 when Dónal Lunny (bouzouki) and Christy Moore (vocals and bodhrán), of
Planxty, wanted to explore the possibilities of linking contemporary music to Irish traditional music. They initially intended to form a trio with guitarist Declan Sinnott but then expanded the group to include established Irish musicians Keith Donald (alto sax), Eoghan O'Neill (bass), and Brian Calnan (drums), and prodigious newcomer Davy Spillane (uilleann pipes).
This laid the basis for a powerful and unique Irish sound, which was coupled on the band’s first two albums, "
Moving Hearts" and "
The Dark End Of The Street", with songs with explicit political engagement, especially concerned with the situation in Northern Ireland. The band was organized as a cooperative effort, with all profits and costs borne by the seven band members and three members of the road crew.
Calnan was replaced for the group’s second album by Matt Kelleghan, and, in 1982, Christy Moore left to pursue his solo career and was replaced by Mick Hanly.
Moving Hearts played many prestigious gigs including the Montreux Jazz Festival, The Bottom Line in New York and the Lorient Festival in Brittany, and the line-up with Hanly was recorded on the 1983 album "
Live Hearts". They also played on two tracks on
Van Morrison's 1983 album "
A Sense of Wonder".
For a period after the departure of Mick Hanly, Flo McSweeney and Anto Drennan came in on vocals and lead guitar. The following year the group performed as an instrumental group, recording the acclaimed album "
The Storm". At this point the line up consisted of Davy Spillane and Declan Masterson on uilleann pipes, Dónal Lunny on bouzouki, synthesiser & bodhran, Keith Donald on sax, Noel Eccles on percussion, Matt Kelleghan on drums, Eoghan O'Neill on bass and Greg Boland on guitar.
The group ceased touring in 1984, appearing only at occasional festivals such as the Presceli folk festival in 1986, but in 1990 sold out Dublin's Point Theatre for a farewell concert, with Flo McSweeney on vocals.
In 2007 the band reformed, announcing concerts in Dublin and at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway. The line up is Dónal Lunny, Davy Spillane, Eoghan O'Neill, Keith Donald, Matt Kellaghan, Noel Eccles, Anthony Drennan, Kevin Glackin and Graham Henderson." (from Wikipedia)
Discography:
Moving Hearts (9 tracks, 1981)
The Dark End of the Street (8 tracks, 1982)
The Storm (6 tracks, 1985)
Live Hearts (9 tracks, 1986 recorded 1983)
Live in Dublin (10 tracks, 2008)
Christy Moore's comments (from
www.christymoore.com):
"
Moving Hearts" (1981)
This was an exciting time. Donal and I agreed to work together and our next port of call was with Declan Sinnott who volunteered immediately. Then we gradually expanded. Richie Buckley played one gig in Kilkenny, Bill "Riverdance" Whelan left after one rehearsal citing political differences. Tommy Moore came and left to join Paul Brady.
One by one we slowly assembled. Brian Calnan came from Cork to sit in the traps, Eoghan O'Neill ran out of Tipperary to drive hot bass up our spines, Keith Donald came down from the mountain blowing cool air through his reed, Davy left the camps and got up on the amps - the collective was completed by Matt Kelleghan, George and Cyril and we were ready to roll.
"
The Dark End of the Street" (1982)
By the time we got to do this album we were all a bit fucked. I certainly was. I had some throat problems that required surgery. I was doin' too much toot and I was tryin' to be a rock singer to keep up with the arrangements the arrangers were arranging!
There was fuckin' chords to bate the band and Ayrton Senna was being overtaken in every chorus. But there were fantastic nights too.
The Half Moon in Putney, the Lake of Shadows in Buncrana, The Green Briar in Belfast and The Baggot ran and ran.
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