Songs
From Moving Hearts Live in Dublin
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- country:Ireland
- style(s):Celtic, Rock
- label:Rubyworks
- gender:male
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
- artist posted by:Ballyo Promotions
Line up
- Anto Drennan (Electric Guitar)
- Davy Spillane (Uilleann Pipes & Low Whistle)
- Donal Lunny (Bouzouki & Baritone Guitar)
- Eoghan O'Neill (Electric Bass Guitar)
- Graham Henderson (Keyboards)
- Keith Donald (Soprano, Alto & Tenor Saxophones & Bass Clarinet)
- Liam Bradley (Drums)
- Noel Eccles (Percussion)
Links
"Unfinished business!" was the reply given by Noel Eccles when asked why Moving Hearts were reforming, "when we last played in Ireland, the UK and at some European festivals in 1987, it was as an instrumental band and we always felt that we hadn't finished exploring the possibilities of our unique line-up". Many people in Ireland were happy to see Moving Hearts back together as an instrumental band and duly filled Dublin's Vicar Street for 4 successive nights in February 2007.
"Being in Moving Hearts, certainly in the first two years of its existence, was like being dragged along the street by a speeding bus," says Donal Lunny, "with my background in traditional music, it felt like the band changed up a few gears when the rhythm section came into the band. We came dangerously close to becoming a fully-fledged Rock band, but having Davy and Keith battling on Uileann pipes and soprano saxophone kept the goal posts on the move."
Moving Hearts had started playing together in The Baggot Inn, Dublin 2 in February 1981. That first line-up comprised Christy Moore, vocals, guitar and bodhran, Donal Lunny on bouzouki and synthesizer, Declan Sinnott on electric guitar, Eoghan O'Neill on bass, Brian Calnan on drums and percussion, Davy Spillane on pipes and low whistle and Keith Donald on various saxophones. The band attracted huge attention for its blending of musical influences - folk, Irish traditional, rock, funk and jazz - as well as its commentary in the songs sung by Christy Moore on issues of concern in the areas of human rights and political skullduggery. In addition to songs about Ireland, Christy sang about the nuclear industry, thieving landlords and the dark side of organised religion.
After many changes of personnel - nineteen people have played or sung in the band - the decision was made to concentrate on instrumental music and to follow on from The Storm, the influential album of 6 instrumentals that was recorded after the band ceased regular gigging in 1984. After reforming for a short tour in 1987, the band went their several ways for most of two decades and watched as the world caught up with their music. Unlike many bands that stop working together, all the core members of Moving Hearts went on to have successful careers as musicians, composers and producers and bring huge depth and range of experience to the band when it plays again.
In February 2007 a live CD/DVD was recorded at the Vicar Street reunion and is available internationally on the Rubyworks and Compass Records labels. Since then Moving Hearts have come together to perform at numerous festivals and concert halls around the world and tours to the Far East and Europe are planed in the future. Building on the history of the band of strong musicianship and songs Moving Hearts have invited special guest appearances recently including Mairtin O’Connor (Accordian) and Iarla O’Lionard (Vocals).