Clannad 2
Here on their second long player,Clannad 2, the family  band from Ireland's county Donegal is at their finest. Anchored by the  lovely haunting vocals and harp of Maire Ni Bhraonian, with deft  backing instrumentation and harmony from her two brothers and twin  uncles,Clannadmakes deliciously mournful folk rock of traditional tunes. While   synthesized New Age territory has become their stock in trade through  the group's evolution, the band's early sound puts them in the beloved  peer group with the likes ofPlanxty,Fairport  Convention, theIncredible String  Band, andSteeleye Span.  Whistles, electric piano, mandolin, and guitars form the framework for  11 stunning pieces, sung in Irish and complemented by surprisingly  tasteful flute leads.Clannad 2, highly recommended, is gently  psychedelic Britfolk with a dark medieval undercurrent.--Paige La  Grone