Made in USA in 2000, Serial# 07863-67878-2, Playing Time 69:52

Calling this a "Greatest Hits" is perhaps an exaggeration. Yes, it contains 4 tracks found on almost every CLANNAD compilation ("Theme From Harry's Game", "Now Is Here", "In A Lifetime" and "Something To Believe In").

The tracks on this CD come from 4 albums released between 1983 and 1987, namely "Magical Ring", "Legend", "Macalla" and "Sirius". CLANNAD have left the RCA stable back in 1989 to go over to ATLANTIC, so the material presented here is over 10 years old: it still sounds fresh.

Back in 1997, RCA released a compilation called "Rogha" that focused on the very same 4 albums, containing 19 of the 40 tracks released over the 4 albums.

The present compilation has 7 tracks in common with "Rogha" (specifically tracks 1,2,11,12,13,14 and 17), which leaves us with another 11, for a total of 30 out of the 40.

Just like it's "predecessor", the music included here is charming and soothing, a nice complement to "Rogha". The genre is not as celtic as their earlier albums: vocals are sung in english, and the violin and/or sax is generally absent from the arrangements: mostly acoustic guitars, percussions, with rich keyboard textures, and great vocal arrangements. If those 4 albums are missing from your collection, I would suggest you either get them all, or both compilations.

It's now time for me to turn out the lights, and be transported back to my dreams...

This collection features some of Clannad's best songs from the 80's, from their albums "Magical Ring", "Legend", "Macalla", and "Sirius". It opens with Clannad's greatest hit, "Harry's Game", and includes their second greatest hit, "In A Lifetime." This collection also shows a wide variety of Clannad's music. It has traditional tracks like "Buachaill An Eirne", "Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair" and "Ta Me Mo Shui". It has many rock/pop tracks like "Skellig", "The Wild Cry", "Something To Believe In," and many others. There also are two instrumental tracks, "Lady Marian" and "The Fairy Queen". Inside the booklet you will also find a biography, talking all about Clannad's whole history from the beginning and to through the 80's, perhaps the best overview of Clannad. This is a very good sample of Clannad's best music and will have a good place in your Clannad collection.

Regardless of the decade these songs were created in, they are TIMELESS. The entire blend is a wonderful one -- the instramentals are very well done, the vocals and harmony are enchanting & haunting at the same time. The music is both relaxing and/or invigorating as well -- depending on your mood. I enjoy this CD when driving, resting, or during my own artistic efforts. In fact, a creative person may find, as I have, that these melodies enhance the creative process. This music blends effortlessly with your life, enhancing it. The melodies make you want to sing with them. I can't recommend this CD highly enough. If you like etherial, Celtic/Irish music this CD is a must for your collection.

I love this CD! As a huge fan of Celtic music, this CD lived up to my expectations. The soothing sounds and haunting vocals offered an ethereal quality that truly touched my spirit.

It's amazing that in current times Enya is more famous than Clannad, when in the beginning Enya was simply a member of the Clannad family. It goes to show the power of the Lord of the Ring movie series, with Enya providing elven music to the soundtrack. Clannad, and its celtic roots, is where this all began.

Enya fans might find the Clannad Greatest Hits a little too traditional, not New Agey enough. Ironically, traditional Celtic music fans might complain that there is too little Gaelic singing here, too much done in English! It goes to show the range of interest there is even in the "celtic New Age" corner of the world. For me, Clannad is just about perfect. It fits the merging of the traditional Celtic themes with the gentle soothing tones of drifting calm.

Harry's Game is the perfect place to start. This was the theme for a famous show about IRA issues. The song is short but haunting. The same is true for two other TV themes, both done for the Robin Hood BBC TV show. I loved this pagan Robin series, and have it on DVD. Robin and Lady Marian both evoke the love these two had for each other and their roots in their native traditions.

Some songs are instrumental pieces, others involve voices, but all draw you into a lilting, almost ethereal world of Celtic beauty. These aren't fast fiddle pieces that make you whirl. They are intricately crafted, delicate whispers that make you think of foggy evenings, of the drifting intertwining of the world of humans and faeries. There is longing and love, the comfort of a warm home, the security of a loyal partner.

It's always hard to choose a "best" album for any band. There are many other Clannad songs I adore that aren't in this set. Still, this is a great introduction to the band. If you don't have any Clannad CDs yet, this is a fine place to start. Learn what they're all about, and then begin expanding your horizons to other CDs. You won't be disappointed!

Highly recommended.