The Bothy Band
The Bothy band was an Irish folk band that existed from 1974 to 1979. They still hold for many folk bands as style icon.
Origin of the band name
Bothy bands were in the 19th century in Scotland groups of unmarried farm laborers who lived in huts ( bothies ) as well as improving the music their content.
Band History
The Bothy Band was founded in 1974 following a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the record label Gael Linn as a band of recreational musicians. At that time included Paddy Glackin (fiddle ) and Tony MacMahon (accordion ) joined the band. However, they left the band in 1975, when the other musicians made the music profession. The people involved were Matt Molloy (flute and tin whistle ), Paddy Keenan ( Uilleann Pipes and Tin Whistle ), Dónal Lunny ( bouzouki, guitar, bodhran and production), Triona Ni Dhomnaill (harpsichord, clavinet and vocals) and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill her brother (guitar and vocals). Tommy Peoples replaced Paddy Glackin and in turn was replaced by Kevin Burke 1976.
The first album of the Bothy Band, The Bothy band, was published in 1975 and received good reviews. Decades later, it was released again. The second album was 1976 Old Hag You Have Killed Me, was more successful. The third album of the Bothy band, which appeared in 1977 Out of the Wind, Into the Sun, was already their last studio album. 1979 had released their live album After Hours (Live in Paris).
After the dissolution of the band
After the Bothy band had disbanded, its members played in numerous other Irish bands such as the Chieftains and the Moving Hearts.
In 1983 a Best Of album, 1995 a previously unreleased live recording of BBC Radio.
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill died in 2006 at the consequences of a fall.
Even today, the music of the Bothy band applies as a style icon. Irish traditional music was played with strong dynamics using traditional and modern instruments, but also originally from Greece bouzouki, at a high artistic level.