| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Macalla is a 1985 musical album by Irish folk group Clannad. It is their ninth album and became prominent with a collaboration between Clannad's singer Moya Brennan and U2 vocalist Bono on the duet "In a Lifetime". Furthermore, it featured some internationally renowned artists such as art rock saxophone player Mel Collins, an ex-King Crimson member and famous for his solo on The Rolling Stones' "Miss You", and Anton Corbijn's photography. An alternate version of the albums first track, "Caisleán Óir", was used throughout the third Robin of Sherwood series.
The album's title is Irish for "echo". Two of its songs are sung entirely in Irish: "Caisleán Óir", which translates as "golden castle", and "Buachaill Ón Éirne", which means "shepherd from the Erne".
Track listing
- "Caisleán Õir" (Ciarán Brennan, Máire Brennan) – 2:06
- "The Wild Cry" (Pól Brennan) – 4:41
- "Closer to Your Heart" (C. Brennan) – 3:29
- "In a Lifetime" (a duet with Bono) (C. Brennan, P. Brennan) – 3:08
- "Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)" (P. Brennan) – 4:51
- "Indoor" (P. Brennan) – 3:53
- "Buachaill Ón Éirne" (Traditional) – 3:08
- "Blackstairs" (P. Brennan) – 4:15
- "Journey's End" (Noel Duggan, Pádraig Duggan) – 2:42
- "Northern Skyline" (C. Brennan, P. Brennan) – 4:58
- "Caisleán Õir - Planet Heaven Mix" - 2003 Deluxe Edition Bonus Track (Ciarán Brennan, Máire Brennan) – 7:04
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S Billboard Billboard 200 | 131 |
| UK Albums Chart | 33 |
Singles
- "Closer to Your Heart" (September 1985)
- "Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)" (November 1985)
- "In a Lifetime" (January 1986)
Personnel
Band
- Ciarán Ó Braonáin – bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Máire Ní Bhronáin – vocals, harp
- Pól Ó Braonáin – flute, guitar, percussion, vocals
- Noel Ó Dúgáin – guitar, vocals
- Pádraig Ó Dúgáin – guitar, mandolin, vocals
Additional Musicians
- Bono – vocals
- Mel Collins – saxophone
- Danny Cummings – percussion
- James Delaney – keyboards, synthesizer
- Anto Drennan – guitar, electric guitar
- Paul Moran – drums
- Steve Nye – keyboards
Production
- Steve Nye – producer
- Louis Austin – engineer
- Justin Birt – assistant engineer
- Ron Kurz – engineer
- Martin Pearson – assistant engineer
- Kevin Maloney – engineer
- John Grimes – assistant engineer
- Kevin Metcalfe – mastering
- Anton Corbijn – photography
- Jill Furmanovsky – photography
Additional information
- Engineered by Martin Pearson and Ron Kurz (Power Play Studio)
- Engineered by Louis Austin (Ridge Farm Studio), Assistant engineer - Justin Birt
- Engineered by Kevin Maloney (Windmill Lane Studio), Assistant engineer - John Grimes
- Mixed at Windmill Lane Studio
- Mastered at Townhouse Studios by Kevin Metcalfe
- Sleeve direction by Mainartery
- Photography - Jill Furmanovsky
- Clannad photography by Anton Corbijn